The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1871-01-12
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VALLEY RAILROAD,
FURTHER DEBATE IN THE LEGISLATURE


The RichmoDd Wig Of the 18th hassshe
following notice of the continuance ofthe de-
bate on tho proposition to strike out Augusta
county from the bill authorizing certain coun-
ties to vote on the question of subscribing to
works of internal improveme.l running
through or near them, 0the Valley Railroad
particularly The proposition up was that
of Mr. Wood, of Halifax, to reconsider the
vote by which Augusta had been stricken out:
manner in which the bill came up, and cir
cumstances connected with the subject gener-
ally, he proceeded to argue that if Augusta
were struck out, her people would be deprived
of the opportunity Of yotingto subscribe to
any work of internal improvement. That
county was no more to him than any other
county; nor did he desire to interfere in her
internal affairs. His object was to give the
friends of subscription the opportunity of be-
ing heard. The principle was right and had
been uniformly recognized and applied by the
General Assembly. 1t was the principle en-
bodied in the Atlantic, Mississippi and Ohio
bill, and the Norfolk and Great Western rail
road bill, and in the bill for line of tele-
graph from Washington city through portions
of this State. To exempt Augusta would be
to violate this principle; and all because it
was found that the county Judge may do this
or that All the people of all the counties
have this right If the people of Augusta
chose not to subscribe they would SO decide.
The Legislature had nothing to do with the
bad feeling alleged to exist between the peo-
pie of Staunton and those Of the county. If
portion of the people desire to express their
wish to subscribe, will the popular branch Of
the Legislature deny them this right? The
fact that the Constitution denied to the State
the right to acquire an interest in works Of
improvement, to lend its credit, &C., only
made it more imperative upon the Leglsla-
ture to allow counties interested the oppor-
tunity of contributing to their construction.
He alluded to the division between the rep
rcsentatives from Augusta ON this subject,
and said that the right existed whether the
friends of subscription were in the majority
or minority The subscription asked from
Augusta was only 100000. Without it the
construction of the Valley road would be him
dered. Upon it depended the 100000
subscription of Baltimore, and the 81 100000
subscription of the Baltimore and Ohio rail
road. Every county along the route had sub
scribed except Augusta, and Until she sub
scribed those counties would not have the
road.
Judge Cochran followed, and commenced
by saying that he had never felt his represen-
tative responsibility more keenl y, and pro-
foundly than on this occasion. The question
resolved itself into this-whether the Legisla-
ture will interpose and protect the peop,c of
Augusta from the unauthorized course pur-
sued towards them. The bill before the
House has monstrosity of its own in adj:
ton to all the odious features Of the general
law. The people of Augusta do not ask to
have the their property taken by force, and
to be dragged from their homes and made to
tax themselves for the benefit of a railroad
company. Things may be lawful out not
right. It may be lawful for Richmond to de-
eide whether she will subscribe $10,000,000
to the James river canal, but it might not be
right In no other counties are the odious
provisions of the old law incorporated except
in this Bill The specific road is always men
toned. Judges may from within Or caprice
choose to submit ell sorts of schemes. While
he did not choose to ventilate the course and
objects of those interested in the Valley road,
he would say that the schemes about who
should be President, Attorney, &C., were
freely talked about by the people. After sub
hitting the question Of subscription three
times to the people of Augusta, twice for this
road, and as many times defeated, ought not
: the contest to end 1t was hopeless, and no
good could result from continuing it,. AS Of
ten as submitted it would be voted down. He
always thought that laws should be for the
benefit of the people. 1t would not be for the
benefit Of the people if interested parties shall
prevail With the Legislature to order this un
wished submission 1t is said the object is to
ascertain sentiment That sentiment has
three times been expressed, aud his people
now ask relief from further harassment Has
been the friend Of the Valley road !; voted for
subscription at the first submission. The Sec
ond time he was here in his place. The clerk
and sheriff of the county, who knew the state
of feeling in Augusta. and who had hitherto
voted for subscription, were recently in this
: city, and, in the presence Of the State Audi4
tor, described that feeling as so intense that
the people crowded around the courthouse,
hooting at the idea Of another submission, and
the opinion was that if submitted it would BID
; voted down by four-ffths of the people and
nine tenths Of the property holders. So bit
ter (and be spoke advisedly) was the feeling.
, that he believed another submission will lead
to breaches Of the peace and the breaking Of
ballot boxes. He had received fifty or sixty
letters asking for relief. Something had been
said about leaving it to the supervisors to or
} der submission, in place of the judges. He
t wanted neither-nor did his people. The
gentleman from Halifax asked the other day
, 10 behalf Of his constituents, relief from dis
traint for taxes due, and now argues that the
people of Augusta, who have lost 81 900, 600
/, by destruction of crops, should subscribe
So 1000 10 railroad. He once voted Tor
. subscription, his people voted it down, and he
, now begins to see that they were wiser than
himself In addition to taxes imposed upon
them, the huge mountain Of the public debt
, rises up, casting gloomy shadow that strikes
them with dismay. Superadded to all it is
proposed to dragon them into voting to sub
scribe 100000 to the Valley road. This is
!, called privilege The people Of Augusts
. pray deliverauce from such privilege. Itis
? no more privilege than small pox is Abou
: the constitution, he had to say that it doe