The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1874-12-24

object OF the free school system cam OF be at
tained, by setting UP a little government i'll
each county, separate and distinct from the
rest of the State, and Isolated from general
policy.
[. As obnoxious, however,. as these proposed
amendments are, they do not give even an in
.timation of what is now process OF formation
F'ffi this committee on amendments. The prop
ositions to which we have referred, constitute
one batch to be voted OH under one head. Two.
other reports will be made, as We understand.
Precisely how they viii be divided: we do not
know. They, however. purpose an attack up
on the bill Of rights and by implication vio-
lation Of the plighted faith Of the State 1t
will be proposed to strike from the second par
agraph of the Bill of Rights the expression,
THAT this State shall ever remain a member
| of the United States of America and out OF
the Sd paragraph the words, s'to which para
mount allegiance and obedience are due from
every citizen.'' This has reference to the con-
sitution of the United States and the laws OF
Congress passed in pursuance thereof We
understand further that the 10Th and 10Th par
agraphs are to be stricken out, which read,
s.that neither slavery nor involuntary servi-
tude, except as lawful imprisonment may con-
stitute such, shall exist within this State; and
s'that all citizens of The State are hereby de-
clared to possess equal, civil and political rights
and public privileges"
As we only write from memory, not having
taken notes of the conversation in which this
information was communicated to us, we do
not profess to be entirely accurate in the refer
ence made in the above paragraph. 1t is the
purpose of this committee, however, to return
to the declaration of governmental principles
as proclaimed in the original Bill Of Rights,
! which embraces the strictest State Rights doc
utter and complete reputation of the results
of the war, and the adjustment under which
| Virginia resumed her normal relations to the
government. After the people have ratified at
the polls, over and over again, these conditions,
we must confess that the, boldness of this pro-
posed action is somewhat startling, and it en-
dorsed at the ballot box, will constitute rev.
olution unparalleled in the civil polity, Of any
State since the foundation of the government.
| We shall await With deep concern the forth
coming reports of the constitutional commit
tee.
! II this be fully correct, it will not greatly
surprise U.s. for it is the logical result of the
innovation upon the constitution. When the
committee shall have made its report, or rather
reports for there will be two others, we will
call attention more particularly to the revolu-
tionary and dangerous character of their prop
ositioas. Certainly the Free Schools OF Vir-
ginia and the rights of the people
are in jeopardy, and it will be well for them
if they prepare their minds to examine more
closely the forthcoming propositions, than they
did those adopted at the recent election. To
be forewarned is to be forearmcd.
NARROW GAUGE.-The Narrow Gauge Rail.
road. known as the Washington. Cincinnati 6
St.'Louis Railroad, has met great success
The Committee on Railways and Canals of the
House OF Representatives, by an alraost unani
nous vote olfThursday last, agreed to report;
bill recommending the Government to gllaran
tee the bonds of the Company. If concurrence
can be gotten from Congress, il
will secure the construction OF very impor
tant enterprise, and open one of the riches
countries on the continent in iron and COAL
We earnestly hope favorable action will be ha;
on the bill, and the necessary aid secured.
The bill to be reported by the committee all
thorizcs the company to issue bonds to tn,
amount OF fifteen million dollars, the United
States to guarantee the interest on the same a
the rate of five per cent. per annuua. When +
reaches the House it will be committed to tht
care of Hon. J. Amber Smith, who is mem.
Der of the committee. All the Virginia repre-
seiltatives are friendly to it.