The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1879-01-24

R,snhr,ond ana Alleahany Railros

ceatract Nitls the canal com pany tHa1 suV wv.
be main, properly guarded and confirmed
~ Tie Legislature. IL was Dosssbse % have =
rotten che property OF the canal company
Ii, another way--to have gotten possession s q
ss that would have been complete but Chg
parties desired 70 accomplish their enterprise
with the o0perasien and concurrence Of the
people OF the Valley Of James river aad tue
people of Virginia. They desired Y !. con
b strsc. work. that would be beneficial y
the people OF thc Valley aud OF Virginia,
as well as TO themsetye their idea beng en-
that the highest degreetof success and sails
faction could only be obtained by entire
harmony between their corporation and t a,'
people Of Virginia. ~ 81.
Genera! EwISG, OF Ohio, speaking for the
corporators, has more than once given
handsome expression TO these elevated
views. S. ',s. ~ 49,. s's* % ~ ,tI
The contract which was entered into with
a le canal was voted for unanimously by the
canal company. That company was com g,
posed Of the soundest business men and
the best citizens of the State. They
had, most. 81 them, struggled agains,
adversely that would .haye brought de
spondency and exhaustion long years
ago upon body OF men Of less
energy aud constancy. These were the
men who. at, last were convinced that
there was no alternative left, and that they
must abandon the canal and turn it over to
q company that would build railroad in its
place, and thus giye,.to the State the only
means of relief frem work that had so long
oppressed her, and that Tended steadily to
impoYerish her people ind exhaust her re-
sources Eyiftt IS ses.iI.'3 -. -. ,lt.
This unanimous vote oftthis5 most saga-
cious and Trustworthy. body Of men was
most remarka hIe. We do not think. it pos
sibie that the same number Of citizens Of the
State could be selected that should BEEN
titled to as much weight in deciding such a
question as that OF the sale and conversion
OF the canal into a railroad. And it seems
to- be;strange that 80 many that, are less cx-
periepced and less capable than the men,
bers'-of the canal company should Under
take to improvetheir conclusions and amend
their contract. :
The contract was considered long and
maturely. 1t is guarded at all points, and
the railway company volunteered guaran-
tee for the fulfilment OF their contract that
is without precedent in such matters. The
sum OF bali million for that purpose is,
we say, without precedent in such case.
: 2 Yet with all the care and sagacity OF such
body as that composing rhe old canal COM
pany, we find q surprising activity in prof.
fers to improve upon their forecast. . .,a-.,z
These things we understand. It is not
from really wise men, nor is it from pur-
poses in consonance with the true Interests
OF Virginia, that they emanate. Far other
wise. Alien strategists have much to do
with them, and their favorite mode Of Iegis-
lative warfare is to overload measure they
seek to destroy by !" restrictions !" for. the
protection OF somebody, or some interest
that needs not protection.
This great project, conceived and ma
tured by such men, and ID such spirit, we
declare, with q sincere conviction OF the
truth Of what we say, Is more entitled to
the, respect and favor, Of the General AS.
senbly OF Virginia than any measure, OF i'm
proyemept which we have known TO, be
placed before that body for fifty years-and
we have claim to- speak for that time from
personal observation. - .tt.f i Is III .Gs,2
This measure is endowed with more pro-
miseand benefit to the Commonwealth than
any other we remember, and for Richmond
itis!wifhouB comparison,in all the projects
that have been put forth for her advantage.
Richmond beholds in it her greatest friend,
her greatest stimulus to growth and opu-
1ence. 80. 1880 8 - =
We regret that while her. good people are,
we believe, as nearly unanimous in. their
ardent approval OF the bill as is well posi-
BILE, their representatives In the. House of
Delegates arc understood to be divided upon
some vital questions with regard. TO- it.
This lis unaacountably strange. Such DIS
cord amongst the representatS Of q people
who are wisely and happily altogether
harmoniousis wonder0f the2dag. a0'ts
Les MS hope that Ference aud dshbera-
!, fions will spnt an end to this wonder, and
I bring about harmony amongs the represen-
tatfyes % well as,tl people. I e;a + j
=. But Jet as furthermore hope, that diseus-
sion, Bill serve the good purpose. OF unbur-
theniag the members OF their diYerse views
and bring them to the condition Of readi-
] ness to Fote dispassionately and calmly,
with sincere desire 10 do what iswisestfor
the good Of the Commonwealth. ~ s
We beg members to beware what they
do. We. assure, them that men OF activity
and money influence are actively engaged
to prejudice Virginia and Yirginians in the
money market, to represent all investments
In this Commonwealth as perilous, and par.
ticniarly to put a check upon this Rich
mond and Allegheny railroad because $it
does promise to improve Virginia commerce
and manufactures in such manner as to
8 impair the Interests of some communities
who look upon Virginia rivalry as danger
ous to themselves. @
'---sAs ------,--------T-----
Governor Holiday shows clearly In his
message that to pay A per cent. interest will
caiifor an.increase Of 40 per cent. over the
s present rate Of taxation. hig.pt sE
The Governor said IT would require an
additional tax Of 40 to 40 centson each hum
dred dollars, worth 81 property to pay
this large deficit of s70o 900 OF $500, 0OoJ,
iArk~r q. al