Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1872-03-21

Annapolis. March l7.h, 1872.
ID my last eenmpnieasion I omitted
to spesk Of the psndiug Legislation en-
povering "ths County Csmnissionsrs Of
st. Narys. Charles and Prince Georges
coenties to subscribe to the eapitsi sioek
Of the Washington city and Point Look-
out Railroad compsny." Delay in this
matter was requested BY some leading
gentlemen Of Prince Georges county Of
Senator Wilson. with view ofeonsulsing
the wishes and collecting the opinions Of
the county. but fh reality With fhe inten-
ton OF organizing county opposition to Il.
and 10 XIII the bin. and siih IL al chance
Of 5ni7d;ng q road 80 much needsd and
desired by all three counties. The at
tempt ANONYMOUSLY failed. ~ you viii
learn from the inciosed extract. taken frem
to-dsy's Washington Sunday Rsrald 18th
Mareh).
That the long projected railroad between
this city and Point lookout will be con-
strueted. and at once. in now settled be-
yond doubt. Iss advantages cannot be
overestimated. as besides opening up the
fertile counties Of Maryland. il will be
means supplying our market daily. and
even hourly. with game, fish. and oysters
at all seasons of the year, and thus obviate
all difficulties and Inconvenience arising
from the s.oppage Of river navigation in
Some old fogics in Prince George
county. such a. We have in this city op-
posed to improvement. undertook to get
up meeting in Marlboro last Thursday
in opposition to The proposition to pledge
the county credit in, the sum Of $500. 600
to the project. and n thar end sent printed
notices. Of the fact to only such ~
they kuev to be Of the opposition. Some
Of the friends Of the measure. hearing Of
this trick. immediately called public
meeting Of the citizens Of the county at
the same time and place. and the result
was tremendous meeting. which uuani-
monsly endorsed the project. pledged to it
the county credit. and sent committee to
Annapolis to urge the passage of the bill
granting the necessary legislation.
There is already company in posses
sion Of a charter for the building Of q road
from this city to Point Lookout; but this
new organization, composed OF s. T. Suit.
Duncan s. Walker. and others. now pro-
pose TO 20 to work and improve the privi-
leges which the other has neglected.
Meetings in favor Of the proposed rail-
road and the necessary legislation have
been held in several other districts of
Prince Georges county. and it must be
observed that these meetings were all
largely attended and were composed of
white voters (tax-payers) exclusively, and
were the spontaneous result Of an attempt
on the part Of old togies to strangle the
bill in the Senate. At the risk Of being
tedious. l inclosc account of meeting held
at 7. B.. and which may be considered
a fair sample of what passed at other meet
ings in this county, and which evince the
joy and carncstness Of purpose with which
the proposed railroad is hailed BY enlight-
cncd men of Prince Georges.
"A large. enthusiastic meeting was
aeld at T. b.. Prince Georges County.
Tuesday. March ~. 1872. DR.. Joseph
II Blandford. being called to the Chair.
and j f. Hunt appointed Secretary.
when the following resolutions were offer
I'd by A. p. Hill. Esq. and unanimously
adopted:
Resolred. That we feel the Importance
to our county that the Washington City
and Point Lookout Roilroad should be
built. and that il will add to the taxable
basis OF our county ten-fold more than is
asked Of US to aid it. ~.
Resoired. That we endorse the bill a.
reported by the Senators from st. Mary's.
Charles and Prince Georges Counties. and
we earnestly urge our Senator and Dele
gates to press said bill to its passage as
soon IS possible.
Tho resolutions were then sent to our
Senator at Annapolis"
The precise nature Of the legislation
now sought for. ough, to be horne in mind,
and as various opinions and i,lcas are prev
alcnt on this subject, at the risk Of being
tedious. viii cndcavor to present in
brief what the bill now before the Senate
calls for and how it will effect orr people
Of St. Mary's county.
It clothes the County Commissioners Of
St. Mary's county with the power Of cub
seribing for and holding stock in the
Washington city and Point Lookout Rail-
road Company to an amount not exceeding
5000. 900. The County Commissioners
may subscribe for any amount under the
sun. oLoUe named. bat nat exceeding it.
Again, the bill does not make it oAisato-
~ on the Commissioners to subscribe
single dollar. bu, merely leaves it to the
voters Of the county to decide. at the mex.
Presidential election. whether they will
accep, or veto the bill; whether in fact.
they will have railroad on conditions
proposed or mt Should they decide in
favor Of the bill. Section 81 Of Article 8 |
OF the Constitution of the State Of Mary
land requires. .'cre it becomes law, that
the next Legislature COT 1870 shall APP
prove their action by majority Of both |
Houses"
The provisions Of The bill amply provide
against fraud aud injustice toward the
county. The fourth secsion provides that
the bonds Of the county shall be received
at their par value. aud said bonds are
Gully 70 be delivered as the work progress |
r. III -