Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1872-03-05
LETTER FROM CHARLESTON.
CHARLEsroN, Kanawha Co.,
February 18th, 1871 4

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Dear Spirit 81 have been prevented
hitherto by the pressure of various matters
and particularly by anxiety for the fate of the
bill for Railroad Reform, from fulfilling my
promise to write to you. Now that day can
be clearly seen in reference to the matter most
nearly concerning our people, embrace the
opportunity to drop you al line
First, in regard to the Reduction of rates
on the Baltimore aud Ohio railroad. Ifraak
ly confess to having put the coalter too deepat
first, owing to want of legislative experience
and acquaintance with public feeling. The
public mind had not been educated up to the
standard of general railroad law; while the
friends of the Baltimore and Ohio railroad
were fewer, and less dangerous than had
supposed. Even the hired counsel of the
road, when convinced that the people were
behind the movement on reform, retired from
his original position, and offered no serious
opposition to the passage of the joint resolu>
ton, which passed the Senate on the 21st
instant, and will pass the house to, morrow
This resolution provides for the appointment
of three commissioners, Wis: Messrs. Logan
Osburn, John Basel. and S. H Woodward,
who are Empowered and instructed to inquire
into the charges of the Baltimore and Ohio
Railroad, and all matters connected with said
road, and its branches, in which the public
are Interested; the commission is to report
to the next Legislature, and to receive the
same pay and per den, members of the
legislature, while engaged in the duties de-
volved upon them. They were selected be-
cause of their known aud indomitable ipteg-
rity, probity and interest in the inyestiga>
ton and fair, impartial, and comprehensive
report may DO expected.
The Convention now in session will settle
the fundamental principles which must under
lie remedial legislation next winter. In the
meantime, the Commission will have reported
the facts, and the Legislature will be enabled
to act with full information, for the best in
terests of the people, and in perfect consist
ency with the rights of the Railroad
The new Shenandoah Valley Railroad bill
has passed both Houses. The only features
IN which our county are interested are.
L. The securing of the right of trial BY
Jury in assessing damages to land owners:
2: A limitation on the charges for freight
and travel to the Potomac, or beyond, belop
those charged by the Baltimore and Ohio rail-
road. This bill. you will perceive, is sub
stantial benefit to our county, and enables all
those who are honest in desiring reduction
OF the tax on transportation to turn to the ad-
vantage of the public real, and substantial
completion. The new road. when completed.
will start off with tariff of transportation
one-third less than that of the Baltimore and
Ohio railroad. This fact ought to gain friends
for the new enterprise although do not
mean, of course, to advise that there should
be any relaxation of vigilance in regard to
the disposition of the bonds of the county. or
other material interests of our people. If the
road should be completed, a reduction of
freights will be inevitable.
In regard to the Constitutional Convention.
You have already published the reports of the
most important committees. It was singular
compliment to Berkeley and Jefferson. that
all Of our delegates should have been assigned
such important positions. The Judiciary
Education, Corporations, Finance Executive.
and Legislative Committees all contain repre-,
sentatives from our counties .Messrs. Faux
ner and Travers being first, Messrs Hoge and
OSbourn second, and Col. Morgan. fourth on
their respective committees.
The work of the Convention will be COM
plotted by the 1st of April at farthest and the
Constitution submitted, will be an instrument
we'll considered and fully up to the spirit of
the age. Upon an average, the body is not
brilliant, but is an emincnt|y practical and
working nsscmblage. Having refused to en-
pioy reporter, the temptation to make long
speeches for Interior and popular purposes is
removed, and the Committee of the Whole
finds itself, each day, enabled to report some
substantial progress.
AS to what will be done, after careful oh.
servation. I think can give you some approx
imatelv correct idea
l. The Free School system will be retained
although it is possible the State Superintend-
ency will be abolished. My own view is, that
it we have State system we should have a
Superintendent; if a county system county
superintendent. Any system that is worthy
of adoption, at all, is worthy of an individual
salaried SUPPLEMENTARY. Noamount of plain
education in country squire will enable him.
on an average, to expend, to the best advan-
tage, the taxes imposed for your Free Schools
There ought to be an educated Superinten-
deut, whether county or State, to see that the
taxes levied for free schools are not profound
~ squandered by grave, and irresponsible
assemhlage Of gentlemen, better qualified for
any other duty than that of inaugurating aud
managing an efficient, and uniform system of
Education. 1t being conceded that we are
to have the Free School system retained, let
us, by all means, have either educated county
superintendent, or State superintendent of
respectable attainment.
q The county organization will be SO far
modified as to give us a Court of Justices, ap-
proximating to the old county court; except
that the functions of the present Recorder, as
to. administration aud executoria Offices will
be devolved upon the clerk of the county;
who will also be made &c o6iicio auditor of pub,
lie accounts. The people will be thus enabled
to solve the problem hitherto wrapped in pro
found mystery-viz. vhdt becomes of the
money collected for county purposes!
3. The system of voting. will be by Ballot
Messrs. Travers, Osbourn and Morgan voted
for the viua uoce system; Mr.. Eoge support.
ed the ballot, and Mr.. Faulkner did not vote,
he being absent when the vote was taken
think it certain that the Ballot will prevail
4. The doctrine that the regulation of
Tariffs on Railways is a governmental func-