NP, WR 2/14/1862

From the Winchester (Va.) Republican
 
February 14, 1862
 
Strasburg Extension
   The friends of the Strasburg extension {originally the extension of the Winchester & Potomac RR} are indebted to Andrew Hunter, Esq., of Jefferson, for the active and efficient aid rendered by him in support of this important measure.
   Mr. Hunter in his closing speech in defence of the Bill, said:
   There can be no opposition from Alexandria, because the road will be exclusively in the hands of the Manassas Gap Company, in consideration of the $50,000, unrepresented by stocks, which this company is to pay. The Manassas Gap Railroad directory will do nothing to compromise the interests of that town. Since, then, all old rivalries are now buried and out of the way, and the military necessity of the road is known to every member, and has been officially demonstrated by the military authorities, -- why should the passage of the bill be delayed?
   Mr. Burkes desired to know, if the bill is passed, in what time may we reasonably expect it to be finished?
   Mr. H. will come to that presently. If we can get the iron necessary for the work the greatest difficulty is removed. Had General Lee, when the Convention referred the question to him, decided that it was then a military necessity, there was a contractor of high character and great practical knowledge, who would have undertaken to have it ready for the rails in sixty days. If the bill passes now, Mr. H. entertains no doubt but it will be completed early in the summer.
   Mr. H. would now say a word in reference to the plan. If "stonewall" Jackson, as he is called, is not interfered with -- if the little imbroglio between that gallant officer and the Government shall be, as he hopes it will be, happily adjusted, we shall have at least one hundred miles of railroad iron soon transferred to our use. This, with the appropriation provided for in the bill, will be sufficient for all purposes. On consultation with the officers of the Manassas Gap Railroad, Mr. H. and the friends of the bill deemed it best to leave with that company the whole subject o negotiation with the Confederate authorities for such aid as they may be willing to grant.

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