Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1871-01-10
A. 3 Cochran's Speech.

The following are the remarks of Mr.. Alex.
B. Cochran, in the House of Delegates on last
Friday, as reported in the Richmond Wing, in
a debate on the motion of Mr.. Wood, of Hail.
tax, to reconsider the vote by which the coun-
ty of Augusta was stricken from the bill au-
thorizing certain counties to vote on the ques-
ton of subscribing to works Of internal i'm
provement running through Or near them:
Judge Cochran commenced by saying that
he had never felt his representative RESPONSE
bility more keenly and profoundly than on this
occasion. The question resolved itself into
this-whether the Legislature will interpose
and protect the people of Augusta from the un-
authorized course pursued towards them. The
Bill before the House has monstrosity of its
own in addition to all the odous features of
the general law. The people Of Augusta do
not ask to have their property taken by force,
and to be dragged from their~aomes and made
to tax themselves for the benefit of railroad
company Things may be lawful but not right
1t may be lawful for Richmond to decide wheth-
er she will subscribe $40 900, 900 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 mentioned. Judges may
from within or caprice choose to submit all sorts
Of schemes While he did not choose to ven
tate the course and objects Of those interested
In the Valley road, he wOald say that the
schemes about who should be President, At
torney, Sc, were freely talked about by the
people. After submitting the question Of sub
scripton three times to the people Of Augusta,
twice for this road, and as many times defeated
ought not the contest to end? Il was hope
less, and no good could result from continuing
it. As often as submitted it would be voted
down. He always thought that laws should be
for the benefit of the people, It would not be
for the benefit of the people if interested par
ties shall prevail with the Legislature to order
this unwished submission. 1t is said the OBJ
ject is to ascertain sentiment That sentiment
has three times been expressed, and 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 Auditor,
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 be voted
down by four-ffths of the people and nine
tenths of the property holders. So bitter land
he spoke adVisedly) was the feeling, that he
believed another submission will lead to breach
es Of the peace and the breaking Of ballot
boxes He bad RECEIVED fifty OF sixty letters
asking for relief Something had been said
about leaving il TO he supervisors to order a
submission, in place Of the judges. He wanted
neither nor did lis people The gentleman
from Halifax asked the other day. in behalf Of
his constituents, relief from distraint for taxes
due, and now argues that the people OF Au-
gusta, who have lost 81 600, 900 by destruction
of crops. should subscribe $500, 900 to rail-
road. He once voted for subscription, his peo-
pie voted it down, and he now begins to see
that they were wiser than himself In addi-
ton to taxes imposed upon them, the huge
mountain Of the public debt rises up, casting
gloomy shadow that strikes them with dis
may Superadded to all it is proposed to dra-
COON them into voting to subscribe $500. 900 to
the Valley road This is called privilege. =
the people OF Augusta pray deii2erance from
such a privilege Il j. no more a privilege
than smallpox Is. About The constitution, he
had to say that it does not guarantee Fhe rieh
of the people 10 subscribe to public works. He
ton does NOT fol bid it. He asked, ia the name
of the people OF his county, that Augusta
should be stricken from the bill, in order that
she might have peace and trauqullty-one OF
his colleagues stood by him, the other stood in
opposition. He concluded by saying that il
the Legislature does not protect his people,
then, by the eternal God, they will protect
themselves.