The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1871-01-12
VALLEY RAIL ROAD.
INTERESTING DEBATE IN THE LEGIsLA-



INTERESTING DEBATE IN THE LEGIsLA-
As matter Of general interest to the
people of Augusta county we republish from
the Richmond Wing Of the 18th. the follow
ing synopsis Of the debate on the proposition
Of Mr.. Cochran, Of this county, to strike
Augusta county out Of the bill authorizing
subscriptions to incorporated companies by
certain counties and towns:
The House was enlivened BY very AMI
mated and we'll sustained debate of about
two hours duration on bill to authorize the
counties of Rockbridge, Augusta, &C., &c,
to submit to vote Of the people Of the sew
eral counties named the question of subscrib
ing to the construction Of railroads running
through or near them. The specific railroad
project contemplated was the Valley road, of
which Mr. Garrett (son of John w. Garrett,
of the Baltimore and Ohio Company is
president.
Judge Cochran of Augusta, ventilated the
objects of the bill in speech of much point
and fervor, and moved to strike augusta
county" from it. He gave graphic and in
teresting sketch of this subscription move
ment in the county Of Augusta from its i'll
tiatien to the present time He said that it
had been voted upon and defeated three dis
tinct times, and that it would be cruel in the
General Assembly to continue to vex and
harrass the people Of that county by author
izing fourth submission. He declared that
these frequentfand unnecessary efforts to har
rass the people of his county into subscrib
ing to this road, had produced the most un-
fortunate relations between the citizens of the
county and the citizens of the town Of Staun-
ton. The former are opposed to subscrip
ton, while the latter are almost unanimous
in its favor One cause of the evaporation
of feeling that exists, was be said, that the
second vote by which the effort was defeated,
took place under an act Of Assembly, which
provided for taking the vote of the county
and city together, and not Separately pro-
cceding which it was hoped by the friends of
subscription would enable the town of Staun
ton to carry the measure over the county
VOTE Such was the state Of feeling existing
between town and county, that speakers who
had gone out had received very rough treat
ment. Their saddle 1rirths had been cut and
bridges had been burnt to impede their pro-
gress. So long as this measure was hung IN
terrorena over the people of the county, and
sought to be forced upon them, SO long would
this bitter feeling last. Judge Cochran de-
sired that stop should be put to this vexa
tious movement, in order that good feeling
may be restored He said, moreover, that his
constituents were poor and could not bear
the expenses Of these frequent elections. He
also made the point that under tho proposed
bill on-property holders would be authorized
to vote to tax the holders of property-a
thing which he considered not only unjust
but unconstitutional. In the name of the
people of Augusta he called upon the Legis
laturc to defeat this attempt to Dragon
his county into the support of a project which
it had three times voted down. He pro
nounced it useless attempt, since he was
confident that it would be defeated should it
again go before the people, and said that it
would involve waste Of money and tend to
perpetuatc the acrimonious feelings now ex-
isting between town and county.
Major Bell of Stauuton advocated the bill
warmly, and argued earnestly against the mo
ton to strike. out the county Of Augusta
He admitted and lamented the existence of
bitter feelings between the people Of Staun-
ton and those of the county. He said that,
but for some informally in the proceedings
at two or three of the precincts the subserip-s
ton would have been carried at the first cleo
tion and while he would not undertake to
speak Of his own knowledge as to the pros
pect of its success if submitted now, he was
assured by those who professed to have in
formation on the subject that the probabili.
ties are strongly in its favor He stated
that he was informed by reliable persons that
petition in favor Of the passage Of this bill
was numerously signed by persons who had
hitherto opposed the subscription, and now
wanted an opportunity to vote for it. lie
further sud that the bill was general bill,
and not limited to the Valley road, and that
if Augusta county should be stricken from
it the effect would be to make it unlawful for
that county to subscribe to any railroad en-
| terprise.
Mr.. Popham, of Bath, spoke at some length
against the motion to strike out, contending
| that if Augusta county were stricken out it
would be unlawful for her people to vote on
any question of subscription. He, said it
coulQ not narm them 10 De aHoWed the PflVl-
lege to do SO. The bill left it to the county
judge to decide as to the question of sub
scription, and he would scarcely order a vote
to be taken against the known wishes of the
people. He also assailed Judge Cochran
position as to non property holders voting to
tax the holders of property. He held that
all citizens, whether poor or rich, should
have voice on questions. referring to rail
road enterprises. ~,
Judge Cochran proposed that Mr. Popham
should carry out his views by moving to put
Bath and Highland in the bill, which the
latter gentleman expressed his willingness to
debut didn't.
Remarks were made and questions asked
| by several other members. but the only speech
es made on the subject were those above re-
| ferred to. 80 3aaae
! Although the subject was of local char
acter, yet as it bore upon railroad matters,
it got up quite an excitement
Judge Cochran's attack upon the bill was
crowned with success. The ayes and noes
being called his motion to strike out the
county Of Augusta prevailed-ayes, 50
noes. %.
When the vote was announced Mr.. Wood
l &c H.iif,v xUho voted ouo xrouoJ IL rooox,f