The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1875-08-26

The suggestion of Maj MCMAHON, endorsed
by Mr. Stuart, that it would be entirely within
the power of the State to appropriate its con-
Wet labor to the construction OF this absent
link, does not. we think, meet with any con-
stitutional inhibitions. Those clauses of the
constitution were framed and enacted with refer
cncc to the policy of the State, under its old
constitution, of subscribing two-fifths to works
of internal improvement. 1t was never con-
templated that the State should not relieve
herself of the 100000 or $4,000 annually in
CURED in support of the Penitentiary, if it
could be done consistent with the suggestion
of wise State policy, and the instincts OF hu-
manity. If we have not been misinformed,
there are now two hundred convicts employed
in the construction of the Narrow Gauge rail-
road from lIarrisonburg west, and the only
compensation demanded, is their board, and
probably clothing. The commonwealth has no
collateral interest in this work, but the labor
has been furnished simply as relief to the
State, it being regarded as prudent policy to
work the convicts for their support rather than
keep them confined in idleness at an expense
upon the Treasury. If the Governor has
deemed it within the purview of his authority
to let this labor under such conditions, with
how much more propriety could it be employ
ell, in relieving Virginia of at least one. fifth OF
her public debt, by completing an improvement
in which she has $l0,OO0.O00 of dead capital.
which would, when the work was finished, be
converted into dividend paying stock?
But this is not the only available resource that
may reasonably be calculated.on to aid in the
counties of Allegheny 1--WE leave out Rock
bridge, for she is already over-burdened with
ta1es] Eotetourt, Bedford, Amherst, Campbell
Nelson, Albemarle, Buckingham, and the cit
les of Lynchburg, Richmond and Norfolk
could we'll afford to undertake the construc
ton of the absent sections of the canal to form
the connection at Clifton Forge, and Of them
selves raise the 81, 100000 estimated by Maj
Mcmahon for that purpose. In each of thu
counties named there is immense minera
wealth. which remains dead and worthless be
cause there is no coal to utilize it. Bring TIN
coal and ores together, as Mr.. Stuart suggests
and then will have been taken the first grea
step towards making Virginia the Iron Centi'
of the Continent, for iron can be manufactured
in this state. under such circumstances, for 49,
per cent. less than in Pennsylvania, and wllel
that is the fact, the capital now invested, an,
uneasy. in that State, would seek this new an
more promising and profitable field.
Another thought suggests itself, in deter
mining the comparative merits of the Cana
op1 Roilroa Il fron, Ruohopon IN Clifton Eorrc
We are c6gnizant of the fact that much of tn
trade OF the Chesapeake and Ohio Railroad
controlled at this point to the Valley Rail
road, with Baltimore as its point of debouche
instead of seeking market and an outlet with
in Virginia borders. The construction of
Railroad from Clifton Forge to Buchanan, an
the completion of the Valley Railroad to it
terminal point at Salem, would conslmmat
the same result for the trade developed by thi
new improvement, that has been effected a
this oint by the Intersection Of the Chesapeak
and Ohio railroad by the Valley Eoad.
These considerations should naturally stimu
late the counties and cities we have nance
above to great activity in securing determi
nation OF the canal project, instead of Rail
| IUdu uoHi OIi1tOu VI &c W DuCiIIildtils
Although distant from what would be tn
line of active operations, and at surfac
glance. not Immediately interested in the i'm
prevemcnt more than other sections of til
State, yet Stanton could not but be a larg
beneficiary in the trade growing ont of tn
actual process of constructing the canal, TO
here would be the most available market TO
the purchase Of supplies for the operatives
But more of this at another time.
There are other suggestions that presen
themselves in contemplating this importan
and prolific subject. but we have already gon
beyond reasonable limits for the present. w
cannot close this article, however, withou
congl atuating Mr.. Stuart on his good forum
in meeting and conversing with Mai. McMa
hon, in relation to subject about which hi
Information is so iull and accurate, and tn
State at large that scheme so entirely feas
Die and full of rich promise has been so at
spiciously presented to the people of the COR
mo nwealth.
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