Staunton vindicator and general advertiser. (Staunton, Augusta County, Va.) 1858-1860, 1859-05-21
.'politiit.al.
III
To the Voters OF Virginia.

| 10 the kUECiS VI HSlHIds
Fellow CITIZENS:
The condition of my health and voice, h as
compelled me to abandon the canvass, in
which I have been actively engaged since
the adjournment Of Congress. Unless my
voice shall greatly improve, Of which there
is little hope, it will be impossible for me
again to take the stump, prior to the cleo
tion-now so near at hand. Under these
circumstances, have determined to address
my fellow -citizet,s, through the t:ewspapers
in review of the various issues which have
been made in the canvass, between my COM
petitor and myself
Most CT the Issues which have been ten
dered by my competitor, relate to my course
in Congress, and have littles,r no bearing
upon the questions Of State politics. For
my action as Representative in Congress
am directly amenablc to the Heot'e Ct my
District, and it is source Of pride and sat
isfaction to me, to know that my acts and
votes have eotlnanded theft appreciation,
as is evidenced By repeated elections, from
the Fall Of 1851, to the present time. The
vote of thy Congressional. District at the
coming election, will, 4 am persuaded show
that 1istill enjoy the confidence which has
been heretofore reposed in me, by those'who
have known me best, and known me long
| estss 49, -
Without f'irtEer. preface. Iproceed to an
exposition of my views cn the important
question of si
:. INTERNAL IMPROVEMENTS.
AS the Editor of the Valley Star, was a
decided advocate Of tie internal Improve
ment policy of the State. IF space permit
ted, Is1hsght embody in this address, many
Editorial articles on the subjects all Shooting
that I was the friend Of liberal and en-
larged system, embracing all sections of the
State, in its influence. This, however, |
cannot do, without extending. this address,
far beyond reasonable limits, and am coni-
PEELED, therefore. to s,nfne myself to the
votes given by me, as a member Of the late
Reform Convention, which, feel persuad-
ed, will satisfy all reasonable men that the
Internal Improvement policy Of the State
has no more devoted friend than myself,
On reference to the Journal Of the Conyen-
ton page 354, it will be found that Gov
ernor Wise presented the following PROPOSE
ton
sProvided, That nothing herein contain
ed shall prevent the Legislature from extend
ing such aid to the James River and ka-
nawha Company, and to the Central Rail
road Company, and the Virginia and Ten
nessee Railroad Company, or any CT them
| as may be necessary to complete a connex-
ion between the James River and the
Ohio"
/ On this proposition, the Ayes were A.
| Noes 64-my vote being in the affirmative
Mr.. strother, Of Rappahannock, then pre-
sented the following
"The Legislature shall provide for the
construction of a. Railroad from Covington,
on the James River, to the Ohio River"
On this proposition, the Ayes; were 43,
Noes G2-my vote being again in tie afir-
This part Of Mr. strothcr's proposition
being Lost, he asked leave to withdraw the
residue, which leave tsas grsnted, and it
was accordingly Withdrawn. " -,
Mr.. Bolts then presented the following
| viz:
"That. t!otlling herein contained shall be
construed to prevent the hcEfslattre from
rendering such aid to the works Of Internal
improvements already undertaken, as may
be necessary to render them ultimately avail
able and profitable to The State" 4ss@
This proposition was also lost; Ayes 46,
Noes 65-my vote being again in the afir-
native. ::
Subsequently, Col. Floyd presented the
following proposition: ~: II
THAT nothing in this section contained
shall be construed to prevent the Legisla-
ture from extending any aid It may think
proper. TO facilitate the completion Of the
James River and Kanawha Canal the Cen
trial Railroad, the Virginia and Tennessee
Railroad, the South siah Railroad to the
City of Norfolk, and the Oran &c and Alex
andria Railroad to the town Of Alexandria"
This proposition was also rejected, ayes 20
noes II, my vote being recorded in the neg
alive.
voted against this proposition, because
it contaI',ed no provisions for Tie prosecu-
ton and completion of the Covington and
Ohio Railroad which have always regard
ed as one of the most important and valua-
bic improvements in the State, and one that
should not be overlooked in any provision
ION this subject, that might be incorporated
in the CONSTITUTION we we're then forming
Such is my recead on The great question Of
Internal Improvements, question Of grow
ing Importance, and Of the deepest interest
| RI All sections IF VIRGINIA
DIVORCE 81 THh STATE FROM THE BANKS.
My competitor and his friends, have had
much to say, in regard to my views upon
Elthis subject, snad great effont$ haae been
made to arouse the bank influence Of the
State against me. have met this issue in
the discussions that have. occurred between
my competitor and myself and i intend tq
meet it, by fair and manly argument in thfs
address, in, order that the people may fully
Understand my position. All the arguments
and considerations that might be urged in
favor Of the proposition, cannot be present
ed in this address, and I must therefore
content myself. with presenting Some of tie
moro prominent and IN the most concise
shape practicable. !.
At this time we lave two varieties" Of
banks in, Virgins. They are, thus dcs-
cribed by Governor Wise II lis last annr4al
message, and most truthfully described =
"They are. combating With each other, and
their collisions and jealousies are not the
best influences to ease the difficulties of the
times Without drawing Any invidious