Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1860-03-31


hr. Maulin arose and said:
Mr.. Sp aker-There is nothing, sir but an ndipensa
Die duty owe my constituents could cOnstrain TO
present any observations upon the pending resoutOno OF
tered by the gentleman from Putnam Mr. Thompson J
Nor would ObrUde myself upOn the indulgence Of this
House for single moment but for the apprehension
that my silence might incur the suspicion Of neglect if
not OF ecreancy 10 the interest OF those have the honor
10 represent upon this floor.
Sir the original charter Incorporating the CovngtOn
and Ohio Railroad Company, passed February the 18TH
lS3S appropriated 81 OOOOOO for It's construction
aud equipment. The Sd section Of that act provided
that Onehaf Of this appropriation should be expended
upon the and western divisions of this road each
simultaneously. Accordingly, sir that portion of the line
between the mouth Of Scary on the Kauawha river and
the western terminus AZ the mouth Of Big Sandy dis
tancc OF tortour miles put under contract and the
half million dollars expended.
Since chat me sir further provision has been made
for the pros, cuOn OF the work tha end OF the line
Consequently t has been entirely abandoned.
Two subsequent appropriations have been made and
expended upon the C0vingt0u and Ohio road. One Of
which Obtained during the session 1855 and SO for
tie Of 100000; the other for the of 100000
obtained at the succeeding biennial session Of the
Legislature. All Of which have been appropriated
TO the eastern section Of this improvement making the
total amount applied 10 the eastern end, the sum OF Sl
10000.
Tie Legislature making the appropriation of the
SSOouu repealed the provision embraced in the Sd
ton OF the original act, requiring the Board of Public
Works TO commence at and prosecute the work from the
two ends Of The road at che same time. suppose sir
that the Legislature was prompted that act of repeal
by the suppOstou that the small amount obtained would
not Justify a division.
But sir, we are not at this time surrounded by the
same circumstances; are not, then, circumScrbed
in action by the small sums OF 100000 100000
But sir We have appropriated, by the hberality and
patriotism OF this General Assembly, the sum Of two
millions and a half OF dollars a sum- sir, amply sufficient
Justify division according TO the resolution offered
by the gentleman from Putnam.
Mr Speaker an perfectly convinced that the highest
considerations involving the interest Of this Common
wealth demand the adoption OF this Joint resolution and
sir satisfied that members will have no difficulty in
coming 10 the conclusion, provided they will give
the subject their calm and dspassouate consideration.
H. sir could succeed in impressng the friends of the
through line of the Covngton and Ohio Railroad with
one tenth of convictions of the importance OF
this measure, the whole Commonwealth Of Virginia,
confidently believe We would not have one dissenting
voice in this house
The question then how does it derive that impor-
tauce Sir by demonstrating to Kentucky beyond
peraiyeuUre that intend to build the road to its
western terminus
1 take M SIR that much, II not the chief Importance
giyea 10 the Coyngtou and Ohio Railroad is account
It's intersection with the Lexington and Big Sandy and
Maysyile and Big Sandy roads and ultimately its
uCctUu with that system Of Western aud Southwestern
railwa, enterprises that will converge TO meet the Gov
ingtou and Ohio Railroad the mouth of Big Sandy,
provided give them the guarantee contemplated in
his Ont resolution. Now SIR in order 20 secure the
blessings and benefits ably presented bv both Of the
distinguished gentlemen from Monroe, and the able gem
.man from iuaWha iu consequence of the vast stream
OF trade and travel that would be concentrated upon the
Coyngtou and Ohio Railroad from the Mississippi and
Ohio ylies seeking transit over this great thorough
/ fare 90 the markets OF tae world | most earn
est, invoke lls house cooperate With us in support
OF this resolution the adoption OF which will inevitably
secure themaud that other consummaon so deyouily to
/ be wished which eOQucntly elaborated by the
gentleman from Monroe, )Mr. Caperton) the political
power that commercial and social reciprocity with the
nOn-savehoiiog States OF the South and Southwest
would afford Us. highly appreciated that portion OF the
gentleman argument, amounting in my own mind to
/ demonstration
Nothing s.r i. l,y estimation, would essentially
crush on, the Wild spirit OF isnQcism 10 these States as
the establishment Ot commercial and sc.e5nal relations
~ them. Aud when these important alues are secur
ad m can DEFY the rage OF Northern abohdonisn. They
sir are seeking tis connection with US aud why not al
ford te every encouragement or else tins vast trade
! ana travel I.ly be diverted 70 other channels.
| Mr. Speaker Sa Lers beg leave, SIR, TO quote the
language O the chief engineer q te oyngon and ONO
Railroad I'm his last report 10 the Board VI ftbc works
"It would seem that the interest Of the Coyngton End
Ohio Railroad renders u advisable, II this rcAd 10 De
made , slch action showing this determination should
be had al u early I2y for Kentucky has much do do to
complete the Lexington aud g sandy and haysylle and
BIC SANDY Roads designed 70 connect vln re Towing
/ ton and Ohio Railroad at Its western terminus The
l
wears ago l the work upon them has been suspended
and will not pfO0ag be resumed until there is certain
rs that the Virginia s. he completed at early
! iay"
it hls been urged SIR both in this house ana CIT Of
that Kentucky hsS already sufficient guarantee that the
road viii Doe eoupl,el upon its present location, by two
and half millions appropriated 70 it this session. con-
fass SIR that such inference mi ht bs drawn by gen
tcmeu unatuuaiuted with the Influences that cOHl
usIv CDersiiug upon the minds OF the Kentucky comps
1 IrDu hp a
upon their roads. First the repeal OF the Sd section OF
the original bill which opens again the terminus conro-
versy. And, SIR the enemies Of the present ternlni
have not failed 70 avail themselves Of this advantage
Sir so heated was strife between the friends OF the
ureut location and the patty idvOrng its diversion and
termination at Gle mouth OF the Great kauawha that
was made almoS, distinct issue IN the last Senate
rial canvass Then again. SIR It Srepresented that there
is part, chat yOr the terminus Jt the head OF steam
boat uavgaon on the Eaus wha connect with The con
,emDated improvement Of that Eve: % IS Likewise su
osced that when tue COviugtOu aud Ohio road is COM
ne,ed 10 the White sulphur Springs, It viii sustain the
I loss of some thar are now its friends.
These circumstances sir, whether H-tounded or not
o,erara 49, prohibition 70 the Kentucky companies TO
rscommeaceneat q their contemplated connection With
/ the Virginia roads.
speak adysejly sir when make tia declaration that
DO no. believe that Kentucky will expend Que dollar
more upon these roads until Virginia builds the Coving
ton and ohio rosd TO Tesys Valley beyond the kanaw
hs river And tten sir will and ourselves IN the un
srvihls pfe3irtuent of making an underground ermi
nus of the Coyrgtou and Ohio Railroad With the State
ofObio until Kentucky meet Us, which Eu take four
/ or hye yeJrs
| Il has been urged, Mr. Speaker a further otiec
/ lion d, the proposed division OF this appropriation
rhst TIE Coyiug,ou and Ohio road can be more eco
nomicaly prosecuted By the application OF all the mo
uey uuon the eastern division OF tie work. For the sake
of the argument We will admit the premises, which do
NOT beeyei would il not De infinitely preferable TO fore
90 An Insignificant saving the hand whe IN ce
fault of giving a small 40 the western eud, we lose
the iucacuabe advantages OF the Kentucky and eontn
/ uous connections. =,
Again ST, jt has been urged that the two ana nan
millions obtained this session viii complete the road TO
tbe White SaDhur Springs distance of about twenty
miles and s pay something % the state. SIR, ths
is an argument much stronger obtains ior the Nes
lern end OF the line for 1t YOU will give Is two michS
of dollars We ai equip the road from the mouth OF san
as 10 the falls OF Kauawha, distance of one hundred
miles LEAVING portage Of only about fourteen hours
over the mountains 70 the White Sulphur Springs Thus
SIR YOU will vastly increase tie facilities for the travel oil
h West and Southwest the Virginia springs and the
virginia cities Thea you would enable travellers to leave
the terminus OF be road in the morning, breakfast at TIE
r,ps Of KsuaULa and reach the White Sulphur Springs
sfpi,ht. This point derives additional Importance from
the fact thar the Ohio river cen too low during the
erine season 70 be uavigabe above the moua ot san
6v Then 80 tar tbst is concerned the completion OF
lie western end would De tie most profitable But SIR
we are not asking that amountSe are ouly asking oe
M million now in order to subserve the iGtsIest OF the
frougb line 10 It's western nteTsectionsSnd 10 secure
ths work already done the western end OF The road
SIR this work is undergoing constant process oil dap
iaton and decay tor the meaps necessary 10 the
nance of its inte gry eSisted when the work was
/ ob,Ddonei The loose and sandy embankments that
/ have been thrown Gp ia many places, are ~AShins