Year: 1871




There was great rejoicing in Richmond
this morning, when the people read the
glorious news of the defeat of General
Mahone's scheme, to get possession of the
Petersburg railroed, in the House of Dele
gates last night. Everybody was de-
lighted to know that we should have at
least one road, short as il is--but all the
more important on that account--left to
our city to be forever free and untram-
meled--one highway leading to and from
the city, open to all comers, whether from
the North or the South, and secure from
the clutches of tyrannical and grinding
monopolists. 81


The bill that has passed the House, and
which without doubt will be carried in the
Senate, dec but simple justice by all
parties concerned, and secures the best
interests of the State. Thu stock owned
by the State in the Petersburg road is to
be sold to Messrs. Ellyson, Anderson and
other worthy citizens OF Richmond. This
will give them the control of that road
forever, aud il could not possibly be in
better hands, whether for the interests of
Richmond and Petersburg alone, or the
State at large; while on the other hand the
Atlantic, Mississippi and Ohio company,
represented by General Malone, is allowed
the privilege of constructing another line
of road on that or any other route be-
tween Petersburg and Richmond for the
purpose of connecting with this city.
Could anything be more fair Could
anything have happened which will con-
duce more to the future growth and i'm
portance of our city =? Here we shall
secure two lines of communication one
to the southeast and the other to the
southwest, both of which must eventu-
ally pour into our lap streams OF untold
wealth.


All honor, then, to the noble citizens
who have had the foresight to see and the
courage to come forward and beard this
lion Of the Southside in his den, this
Douglas in his halls and win for us the
victory. They are worthy Of the honors
they have so grandly won in this fierce
contest. And all honor to a Legislature
which seeing the right, has so well known
how to accord justice. The gallant S.0en-
ty-one deserve we'll of their State, and each
name will be remembered in kindness
among us, while our many-hilled city
stands, and reaps the benefits of their act. E


But the battle was not won without
mighty effort. The foe was strong and
exultant, and well supplied with the
sinews of war. His army chests were
full, and his commissariat inexhaustible,
and hence the glory of the victory is the
greater. He fought hard, and far into the
night. Every strategem and ruse and
trick was resorted to, to defeat the
measure, or stave it off; but our friends
stood firm, declaring their intention
to fight it out on that line if
it took all highland finally the
Prince of Roanoke, having exhausted
all his parliamentary lodges, having
resorted to every way that was dark, and
trick that was vain, yielded the field-the
advance was made, and our bugles sounded
a complete victory all along the line. Had
we the space we might particulariz, those
whose efforts were most worthy of praise
in this great contest for the safety Of
Richmond but suffice it that each did his
duty in his place. And now for the Sem
ate. There let the victory be made COM
plets.