| From the Alexandria (Va.) Gazette |
| |
| April 2, 1861 |
| |
| Virginia Legislature |
| In the Senate, on Saturday,
the bill for the partial suspension of the sale of State bonds, and to
provide for complying with contracts already made upon the Covington
& Ohio Railroad, was taken up, amended and debated -- Ayes 23,
Noes 12 (wanting three votes of a constitutional majority). |
| The vote was reconsidered and
the bill laid on the table. |
| The bill to incorporate the
Preston & Augusta Railroad Company, from a point on the Baltimore
& Ohio Railroad to a point on the Central Road, was taken up. |
| It was objected by Mr. Johnson
that the road might possibly conflict with the interests of the
Manassas Gap Railroad. This difficulty was removed. |
| Mr. H. W. Thomas said he was
in favor of the bill, because by its construction the trade of the
Northwestern part of the State, which is now centered in Baltimore,
might be diverted therefrom, and whilst Baltimore was now seeking to
bind other parts of Virginia to her, he was for doing all he could to
unloop the bonds she now held upon Virginia. |
| Mr. Neeson also addressed the
Senate and advocated the bill. He said it was a magnificent scheme,
which would connect the Northwestern part of the State with the town
of Staunton, and could not possibly injure any subsisting scheme of
railroad interest. |
| Mr. Brannon also advocated the
bill, and coincided with the views expressed by Mr. Neeson. The bill
was then passed. |
| ***** |
| On motion of Mr. H. W. Thomas,
Senate bill for the relief of the Orange & Alexandria Railroad
Company was taken up, and the amendment of the house was concurred in. |