The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1871-02-11
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The ti.ht between the PENNSYLVANIA
Central and Richmond fredericksburg and
Potomac Railroad Companies commenced
in earnest before the Legislature yesterday,
and the expectation that this would be the
...>c caused the lobby and galleries to be
we'll filcd with interested spectators, In
the Senate tie bill to amend the charter of
the Alexandria and Fredericksburg rail-
road w@s the special order.
Mr. Penn thought it would be desirable
10 postpone the consideration Of the mat
Ter. - il was now before the House, and
heir decision would probably facilitate the
work Of the Senate.
Ne>sr<. WADpELL and UERSDoN favored
TIE recommitmcnt of the bill to the Com
mtice on Roads.
Mr.. CARE hoped that the matter would
lee disposed Of al once. as he wished TO go
home with some buttons on his coat.
Mr.. CoURTNEY thought at this time it was
incXpcdient to recommit the bills and sub
s,ltutes with the amendments.
Mr.. ROLLER opposed the motion to recon-
init the bill.
Mr.. TAYLOR, of Norfolk, hoped it would
not bc the pleasure of the Senate to send
back the bill His mind was fixed, and he
was prepared 10 meet the issue now.
Mr.. LATHAM. Of Fauquicr, moved to re-
commit the bill: which WAS lost by Il very
decided vote in the negative.
Mr.. PERRIN moved to lay the bill on the
table; which gave rise to a discussion
which was engaged in by Messrs. Roller
an(; Penn.
MIR. CAnR called the ayes and noes, which
was not sustained.
The vote was then taken on Mr.. PESN>s
motion, which was defeated.
The Senate then took up the subject, and
Mr.. lIERNDoH spoke in favor OF the SUD
sltutc offered by himself. He said: de
sire to make plain statement Of my posi-
ton and views on this subject now creating
- much excite ment throughout the whole
state, and 10 explain the bill which | have
offered, and which embraces in Legislative
language my practical views.
he Senator's have no doubt fully i'll
formed themselves through the public
journals OF The merits of the questions in.
Suyrd in the legislation now asked for;
and the friends OF the various schemes
have been active in fully posting Us upon
the respective merits Of the rival projects.
There is 10 doubt in any ones mind, from
the ful developments made before the COM
lnittce, that
gHE rESSsYLvANIA CENTRAL Is THE REAL
PARTY ASKING FOR THIS PURCHASE.
And more than this, it is evident that the
large interest now held by the road, or It's
principal stockholders, in the lines from
Richmond south TO the heart Of the cotton
region in Georgia, compel them to build II
road Through Virginia, or to acquire con-
trolling interest in some Virginia road
already built. | am firmly persuaded that
no minor matter will deter them from car
ryiu. out this predetermined programme
this TO them) essential and necessary ar
rangement to give full value TO the outlay
already made.
WE OUGHT TO HESITATE.
Now, | think the General Assembly
should hesitate long before refusing fran
chisc TO foreign company to build any
work of internal Improvement within orr
state. No one can deny that the eNpendi-
turc of large amount of capital in the
State is desirable thing of itself, let alone
the consequential value It may give to the
tllllble lands Of the Commonwealth along
it, route. At the same time it is the boun,
den duty OF the Legislature to take COM
prchcnsvc. enlarged, and statesmanike
view of the whole surroundings.
4 SERIOUS QUESTION.
viii the increase Of the franchise asked
for in this comprehensive view work
greater detriment than good? Are the
great general interests OF the State to be
promoted? Isthe prcpondcrance for good,
or is it for detriment:
fully appreciate the warm, earnest, and
determined zeal with which any and every
bill looking to the object sought by this
Legislature is opposed on great State
grounds. | would do nothing to injure or
impair in the least the rights, the honor, or
the material interest of the State. ! believe
that if ii pure and simple charter. such as is
now asked for by the original bill, be given
10 this company, unrestricted. it may be
used greatly to the detrinlent OF the State.
a MoURNFrL RESULT.
Itwould be mourniul day for Richmond
and Norfolk when trains ran through the
State from North TO South with sealed cars
loaded with cotton ior Philadelphia, the
great manufacturing emporium of this |!
country. With low through freights, !
Petersburg and Richmond would be but
way stations and the now growing city Of
Norfolk, whose prosperity is SO dear to Nir-
einia, would be checked in its prosperity, !
and its future prospects, now SO bright, !
would be gloomy in the extreme. She is |
now the fourth shipping cotton city in the
Union. No one will deny that no local
legislation should be had which would tend
to destroy the city of Norfolk.
He CANNOT APPROVE THE ORIGINAL BILL.
Having these views, / cannot 60 for the
original bill. But is there no course left us
u pursue to gain the benefits to be
Seen from the building and equipping
new road in the expenditure Of capi- !
'hI and The enhancement Of values coming
TO him: Can't we grant them franchise !.
Win such restraints, stipulltionS, and
agreements, that we may reap the good !
ana avoid the evil! think we may, and