The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1860-09-18
Extra Session OF the Legislature.

II will be seen by the subjoined letter OF
Gov. LETCHER, that he has determined to call
an extra session of the Legislature, to meet III
this city on the 14th day of January next
This determination is in response 10 the re-
quest of the stockholders OF the James River
and kanawha Company, and the object OF the
session is to consider the agreement which has
recently been made between the stockholders
and the French Company. The Legislature,
however, once il session, Is not restricted TO
the consideration OF this subject, but may
take up and pass all measures of public in
terest, including those other great improve
ments of the State, which ought TO be pus he'd
to their completion at as early period as
possible.
Gov. LETCRER deserves warm commenda-
ticn for this prompt and wise response 10 the
request of the stockholders. We rejoice TO see
this valuable NANTES tation Of the directneSe
vigor and promptitude of his character. The
contract just entered into by the James River
and kanawha Company, is one of the most i'm
portant acts to the interests of Virginia which
has occurred since the joint struggles of Eir-
GINA and France side by side, on the field OF
Yorktown. II has sted the attention Of
the whole country, and been regarded every
where as an enterprise which, if consummated,
will build up in Virginia the most formidable
rival TO the great New York and Erie Canal
that ever has been, or ever can be c0nstructe
in any other State. II will command at once
the vast trade of the Ohio and Mssissipni
valley and by means Of tributary branches
which Will be built 10 it. will bear to the sea-
board of Virginia tide of wealth which will
make Virginia the Empire State of the South.
Gov. LETCHER has conferred public benefit
Of no ordinary kind i'll converting the Legisla-
ture to consider this contract, which, it is to
be hoped, they will ratify without any unne-
cessary delay. For We have had delay enough
in Virginia, and if the young men of the legs-
lative body, who are so fond OF making elo-
quent speeches upon the future glory and
behold that beatific vision, they must cease
speaking and begin to act, or they, like their
fathers, Will grow grey and pass from the stage
Of life unable 10 say with SIMEoN,-"Le Let me
depart in peace" for their eyes Will not have
seen EiTgiuia's salvation.
Independently, however. of the subject on
account of which the Legislature is con-
vened, the general business of the State de-
mauds an annual session. The humbug of
biennial sessions has checked and hampered
the STATE III u peIIOu wien AeI pIOSItsS needed
more than ever legislative attention. We re-
ioice that Gov. LETCHRR has determined 10
call an extra session this year, and whenever.
in his opinion, the public interests require it,
he is not the man 10 hesitate about taking the
responsibility
RICHMOND, Va, Sept A. 1860.
Dear SIR: | have read, and caretul!viconsIdered,
the contract md accompanying papers, relating
10 the James River and Kanawha Canal Company,
which were submitted 10 me, oy you, on riday
evening last -
The only provision IN the contract to which
object is contained in the eishth section, which
authorizes "the tolls trade to he lnCreas
one third" beyond the rates that are imposed up
on the through trade. This IS dlser mnation
AGAINST our own citizens. in favor of cI liens Of
other States that ls IN my JUDGMENT, unjust. |
car see no reason for the Imposition of heavier
tolls upon way trade than are LEVIED upon through
trade.
I he subject is. in the highest degree. important
10 the people OF VIrGinla. nd deserves the serious
conside ration of the Legislature l have deter
MN ed the fore, to comply with the request CON
tanned IN the second resolution adopted at the late
meeting of the stockholders, and will convene
the General Assembly IN extra Session. for the
purpose of considering the agreement hIch has
been approved" by them.
The fourteenth day Of January next will he the
day on which the General Assembly will convene.
/ am, truly, your obedient servant,
john LFTCUER.
THOMAS II. FILLS, Esq -, Pres dent OF the James
River and Kanawba Company.