| From the Winchester (Va.) Republican |
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| February 14, 1862 |
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| 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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