The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1867-02-20
Derear OF the Railroad Bill

Defeat or the Railroad Bill
Contrary 10 what was confidently as
serted by the friends of the railroad bill /
a few days ago, the measure received
its guietus at the hands Of the Senate
yesterday, that body having voted. Il
70 .. 70 Indefinitely postpone the bill, (
which vote was equivalent to a square Z
defeat on the main question. We doubt I
whether, on straightout vote, nine {
Senators would have voted for the bill /
There were, perhaps, several who, like i.
Mr.. Martin, were willing TO see the
agitation proceed, in some shape or
Other, 70 a anal solution, and who,
therefore, did not feel at liberty 70 post
pone the present difficulty for another
time. We ourselves should have pre-
ts--ed some more effeetuAI settlement,
but since the railroad company afforded
no hope that in any event would they
present rs with a satisfactory otter, it
was perhaps just as well to cut the de-
bate short OF, and proceed TO other
business.
There i No likelihood that the late
bill, or any other one, Will come before
either House this session. The time is
too far spent already, and it would be
useless to waste words on any PROPOSE
ton that did not embody something of
that equality which is the due of every
taxpayer il the State. Perhaps by the
next session the Railroad Company
may alter their views as 70 what a set
Element Of the dispute is worth to them.
At all events, we shall have further
opportunity to judge OF our and their
reciprocal obligations in the matter OF
taxes on the basis Of earnings. The
people generally, between this and
then, will take some interest in inform
ing themselves as to what would be
fair and just, towards all concerned, as
q settlement, and thus avoid that ar
raigument TO which they were subject
ed by Mr. Chapline in his speech yes
terday-
In the meantime, it seems that the
agitation of the question in our COM
munity is 70 be Immediately proceeded
with. According to an announcement
in our advertising columns, discus
sion between the Hon. Mr.. Stanton and
the Hon. Mr.. woodmau, on the merits
ofthequestiOn, takes place this evening,
at the Court House. As both gentle
men are highly intelligent, and both
good speakers, we shall expect to be
we'll repaid for turning out to hear
them. We look for crowded house.
--S--
HORACE GREELEY, OF the New York
Tribune, is spoken of as the successor
of Post Master General Randall, in Mr..
Johuson's cabinet. Why the latter re-
tires, is not stated, but it is asserted as
matter already agreed upon, that Mr..
Greeley takes his place. 1t seems to be
generally understood that the Presi-
dent has decided Partially for the
philosopher OF the Tribune, and that
he has consulted with him very fire.
quently aud freely of late. All readers
ofMr. Greeley's paper know that he
has been charitabIy disposed towards
Mr. johnson, and rarely speaks harsh
Iy OF HIM in Il personal way. Probably
lie has had more influence in bringing
the latter around to his latest reported
position than any other man. And in
addition, it is generally conceded that
Mr.. Greeley Is the very man to be Post
Master General. He believes, and has
so urged for years, that the system as
at present conducted, is radically
wrong, and needs very thorough treat
Inent. II he becomes the head of the
Department, there will be some start
ling recommendations made in very
few months. Indeed we should not be
surprised to see the cardinal
idea of the Tribune carried out-viz:-
the detachment OF the whole Postal
system from any connection with the
government, and handing it over to the
express companies to DO run on purely
commercial principles. At all events
whether this sweeping change or moi
shall be recommended, we may be
sure that the franking privilege will &c
by the board in short order. There will
be no more ponderous packages of dead
stuff numbering down every cross road
mail in the country, but every thing
transported will be paid for. There
fore we give our vote for Mr.. Greeley
for Post Master General If for nothing
else than to make an experiment of all
the fine spun theories on postal matters
that have been appearing in the Tribune
for so many years.