Year: 1871

upon the charge for freight and passen-
gers. Indeed, as to the aforementioned re-
strictions, think we have gone too far,
for have desired to see inserted in this
bill only such restrictions as will be suita-
bic to incorporate in general law, to
which hope to see every railroad in this
State made subject. But we know this was
done on the plea af holding President Rob-
erts to his promise.


FRIEND OF TIE BILL.


AS said in the beginning, l am the
friend of this bill when properly restricted.
And think if we add one more require
ment-which learn one Of my colleagues
already has an amendment prepared to
meet--to wit That said company shall
have the locomotives and other rolling
stock necessary to work the ROAD within
this State, manufactured ut shops within
this State. .............,
But CANNOT SHUT HIS EYES TO TIE TRUTH.
But, honored Speaker, there is one other
point-a most important one. mean the
interest of the State in this matter-an in-
terest which | hold it to be our bounden
duty to protect. We have it in our power
to do so now, but if we adopt the amend
ment of the gentleman from Loudoun 1
fear, and have right to fear, that we


SACRIFICE FOR ALL TINE THE INTEREST OF
THE STATE IN THE RICHMOND AND FRED
ER1CKsBURG RAILROAD.


l say have the right to fear it, because
we have information that this same Penn
sylvania Central railroad does now control
and get from the Legislature of Pennsyl-
vania just such legislation as she wants )
and shall we set ourselves up as purer than
other men? While my pride would lead me
to assume such position for Virginians, my
Judgment tells me that in the present
amount of ignorance in our State, IN view
of the large number of voters lately enfran-
chised who can neither read nor write, that
we really are in condition more liable to be


rAmpEREp WITH By DESIGNING MEN


than Pennsylvania, whose Legislature THIS
company is said to control.


Let us, then, take care Of the State inter-
est while we may. 1t is alleged by those
who put themselves forward as the pecu-
liar advocates Of the bill that if this amend
ment is rejected it will require constitu-
tional majority to pass the bill. Grant it
and / believe if they will cease their oppo-
siton and join with me that we can get the
majority needed.


EQUAL CHANCES.


l therefore appeal to them to take this po-
sition, that myself and others may join with
them in passing this bill, and then hope we
will give to the Richmond, Fredericksburg
and Potomac Railroad Company like
charter in every respect, and especially pro.
yiding that said company shall on accept
ing said charter renounce all claim to any
peculiar priviledges or rights now held or
enjoyed under their charter. In doing this,
honored Speaker, we will give to each OF
these great corporations equal chances, and
leave them to settle the question between
themselves. If they cannot agree, then we
will have as the result two all-rai roads
from here to Washington, 10 which OF
course we should not object.


MR.. BELLS IDEA.


MIR. BELL, of Augusta, favored the prin-
ciple involved in Mr.. Thurman's amend
ment, but did not believe that, if adopted,
it would make necessary two-thirds vote
for the passage Of the bill.


A SPIRITED OPPONENT OF FOREIGN INVASION.
/! Mr.. BURGESS, of Southampton, followed
in opposition to the whole bill. He said :
hope the amendment OF the gentleman
: from Loudoun (Mr. BUDDY will not prevail,
and | further hope that all the restrictions
| will be thrown around this bill that are ne
cessary to kill it. Profoundly impressed
with the magnitude of the interests in.
volycd in this measure, l have listened with
no little attention and interest to the many
arguments that have been adduced pro and
con during its protracted, and, in some in.
stances, heated discussion. / have felt, sir,
that to arrive at a fair, intelligent, and salts
factory solution Of this question; to steer
my way through the voluminous mass of
reports and evidence which has been sup
piled us by committees Of investigation in
the House and committees OF investigation
in the Senate,


TO THE CLEAR SUNLIGHT OF TRUTH,
required that l should bring to bear upon
it all of the information to be gathered
from the press, all the light to be elected
by debate, as well as all the legal acuna e,,
| l could muster. The result Of such patient
inquiry and attention has been but to inn
press me more fully with the belief that
upon the defeat of this bill depends in no
small degree the further advancement OF
the material interests and commercial
prosperity of the State.


would state in the outset, Mr.. Speaker,
that have cndeayored to divest my mind
Of all partisan Or sectional feelings in this
matter. Personally care nothing for Mr..
Roberts, Mr.. Daniel, Mr.. Moncure Robin
son, or Mr.. John Robinson, for 1 believe
they are all working for their own interests,
and not in the interest of the State. Indi-
vidually and collectively they..are equally
unknown and uucared for by me.


WHAT, THEN, IS THE HISTORY OF THIS MAT
TER?


What are the grave issues involved, that
so seriously threaten 10 jeopardize, if not
completely destroy, the commercial pros
perity of the State2 We may be asked, can
the construction Of an all-rail line from
Washington to Richmond so seriously enure
to the injury Of Virginia? answer, sir,
if this were all, no But 'tis not SO much
to get an allrail line from Washington to
Richmond that they are working as an all
rail line from the South to the North


NOT THEIR INTENTION TO BUILD THE ROAD.


Besides, tits not their intention, in my