American union. [volume] (Morgantown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1855-1859, 1858-02-26
Richmond Correspondence ofme HAee,ing Times

Richmond Correspondence ofthe Wheeling Times
RICHMOND, Va, Feb. 18th.
1t is at length in my power to COM
municato something that will interest
you, but l fear that you will receive it
with but little qualification.
Some of the principal questions that
have been agitating the whole State
have been receiving attention at the
hands of the Legislature, and some
votes have been taken deciding the
fate Of them. On Tuesday quite an
excitement was created in the Senate,
by the presentation of communica-
ton from Lieut.. Gov. Jackson accom-
panied by letter from Mr.. Bennett,
the First Auditor, setting forth that
charges had been made by the Scna-
tor from Wheeling, deeply duplicating
the Lieut.. Governor. A committee
was appointed to investigate the af
fair. and report was made yesterday
cxhonerating Mr.. Jackson, from the
charge of having used his official inhu,
ence, to accomplish the passage Of
bill. The papers here are full of let
tiers on the subject, and it has assum-
ed more Importance than it deserves.
The declaration Of the Senator from
Wheeling was made under excitement.
and would have been promptly explain
cd if he had been called upon, without
introducing it into the Senate. On
the Same day in the House of Dele
gates, the subject of Merchants H.
cense was discussed by Messrs. Heath,
Johnston, and Sweeney and the vote
resulted in refusing to make any change
in the present system 80 to so. Ma
ny members left the hall, expecting
that there would be no decision of the
question on that day, as it was then
late and several members appeared
anxious to express their views. This
accounts for the meagre vote. 49,.
On yesterday the first expression Of
opinion was given on the subject of APP
preparations to internal Improvement
companies. .....
The Covington and Ohio bill passed
the Senate by vote of 81 to IT,
This bill appropriatcs 100000 and
comes to the house with prospects of
success. The friends of that improve
ment, not content with large appro-
priations now, wish the State to pledge
herself to the amount Of $4,000, 900
for its completion in the future. Yes
tcrday the Militia bill was considered
by the House of Delegates, and after
several speeches from different men,
bers it passed by a vote of sc to DO
It's enactment may now be consider.
ed certainty, for going with ma or-
ity of forty into that body, where two
thirds of the members represent that
part Of the State, where men have lit.
tie else to do but talk politics and mus
ter, it cannot possibly be defeated
1t may be as well to state for the ben
eft of the people Of Northwestern Vir-
ginia, that nearly all oftholr represent
ativos voted against bill so unjust
and offensive to them. But two Del
egates from your congressional district
voted for the re. organization Of the
militia, and they were the Delegates
from Monongalia. The inhabitants
Of that county be more warlikc in
! their views than others of that section
Of the State.
The only amendment of any impor-
lance that was adopted was one rcdu.
cling tho fine for failing to attend
muster to IS cents for each failure.
Mr.. Swecny moved to am"nnad. ttinc bill
by rido", s0bmittinc it to q tote Of
the people Of INC State. This was
! lost, Last night Mr.. YIN. Ballard
Preston delivered long address to u
large audience in Metropolitan Hall,
detailing the incidents and results of
his mission to Europe, for the purpose
of establishing n line of steamers be.
tween tho capes Of Virginia and the
Old World. lie spoke more than two
hours, and his speech was evidently in.
tended to strengthen the claims of
corporations upon the treasury, and to
induce the members Of the LepisIa,
ture.to favor the imposition Of more tax
es for the completion Of the unfinished
railroads in the State. To-day Mr..
Barbour Of Monongalia began the on.
slaught on tho Treasury, il tho House