Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1866-02-05
The Railroad Systematic Strasburg Connexion

daY, a bill amending the charters or the WIN
chester and Potomac Railroad, and the MaDas
sas Gar Railroad, so as to authorize an extension
of The first to connect with the latter at the
town Of Strasburg, In Shenandoah county,
came up.
Mr.. Robertson: Of Alexandra, addressed the
House three-t -tourths Of an hour in opposition
to the BILL Mr.. r maintained that il was q
hill to benefit the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad
at the expense Of our own railroads, and to build
I'D Baltimore without reference to the interests
Of Virginia towns He regarded it AS the first
coil Of the great anaconda or the boa construct
or. the Baltimore and Ohio Rai1oad, 10 get
possession Of all our commercial interests, to
foster and build up a CITY beyond our borders.
The eighteen miles of railroad from Winchester
was a small matter when interior objects IN view
are considered The main purpose IS to give
the Baltimore road the privilege Of forming
:. connectons with other railroads Of the State,
By a line running up the Valley to Salem, and
{ thus make all railroads tributary to Baltimore
at the sacrifice Of our own commercial interests.
Mr. English, Of Alexandris, offered an
amendment to the bill, providing that the
Manassas road should be equipped and IN oper-
alton before the proposed connection should be
made
nYr. Wall opposed the amendment.
Mr., En1Iish addressed the House in support
of his amendment He had no hostility to the
bill, On account Of forming connection with
Winchester. He wished the interests OF that
tovn promoted by ali legitimate means. But
he believed the amendment was necessary to
give others some guarantee ct justice
Mr. Woodson supported the bill aud oppo-
sed the amendment. He admired the zeal and
fidelity of the Representatives from Alexan-
dria. in favor Of their own town: but thought
thev we're laboring under deuslcn In suppo-
sine that Alexandria interests were to be AFFECT
ed ;ninr;ously By the bill. The Baltimore road,
The cyeat bnc hear or anaconda. has nothing to
do, said Mr W., with this question It is
measure Of the Manassas road exeIusiEey 1t
ia 20 advance the interests OF this road, ana
also the Interests cf Alexandra. but were It
othervise, it would be an absurdty 70 attempt
to force the people TO trade with Ae1and'1a,
or with anv particular place. ihe people have
. riuhf to trade where they can sell for the most
and buy tor the least.
The bill IS intended to protect the Manassas
road against the Baltimore roaa. The people
# the Valley can reach Baltimore, over the
Manassas road, by saving Of thirty miles
travel There is lien Of about one m!I!lon
dollars On the Manassas road. This bill viii
prevent the road from being sold, and thus pre-
vent She Baltimore road ftom becolMng IT'S
owner by purchase. It is to K op dif the Goa
constructor that this bill has 1ccn Introduced.
Mr. Woodson thought the people should nave
railroads. without reference To the lnrfreS's OF
this or that town, when they we're willing 70
make them at their own expense Nn money
is asked from the State to ald III carrying OUT
the obieus Of the bill. he thought 1t was
time that sectionalism had led from the otate'
Mr.. Scott. uf Charlotte, was III favor OF any
and eve;v s:ba;ue for benehttlng the productive
;n+ere,r> e he State, and for developing Its
resources Give trade opportunities 70 50 70
the best market lie was n favor O. Hp9ral
system Of internal improvements. i' "oala 10
an incentive to the producing class, aili 'llos
were entitled; to the BEST market for tie pro
ducts Of ;hei: labor. - -.
NJ Srravpy said:-What is asked tor hy this
n;Il acainsf which gen1iemen deciailn? Moth
no hnt ;. s;,,,,;t.. naked charter: the f:l7ega OF
n,},;,v .,;uaF4ci. miles Of railroad w!th uitr own
means Ilc regarded the opposllon 70 the OH
as ;jI;hora] He was here as y Flrginian, With
No saaIiona} feeling to warp his judgement-
Ha has no desire to inure any part OF the state,
INT his is , MEASURE to aid in resusclatlng the
i,nnoyeri>Led and distressed Valley. tic was vas
fbankfn to the Senate tor passing tne OIL
xyt}n1;r :, dissenting voice. and be could not
believe the House would refuse It's ad 20 re
3ieye }i4 peo:;le from some Of the buraens 2hd
y,;>f,r1,nes under which they are ah01lns,
the results of causes we'll known 10 tue house
Mr. DckeDson. Of Russell, was born an ~
*erno} imnroyemept man, and expected to Gle
one, The great work Of Virginia bas been
Neglected. EIe cared not It peo e cut OF the
State did derive some benetttrom our improve
ments. # we were at the same time ben1ted -
1t would make them our friends. Make rail-