NP, WR 3/22/1861

From the Winchester (Va.) Republican
 
March 22, 1861
 
Defeat of Strasburg Extension, on Tuesday, March 12
   On motion of Mr. Isbell, the bill authorizing the Winchester & Potomac Railroad Company to extend their road from the town of Winchester, to connect with the Manassas Gap Railroad at or near the town of Strasburg, was taken from the table. Memorials in favor of the extension, signed by a number of persons interested therein, were presented by Mr. Carson and read.
   The proceedings of the Common Council of Alexandria against the proposed extension, were presented by Mr. H. W. Thomas and read.
   A motion was made to indefinitely postpone.
   Mr. Isabell addressed the Senate in an able argument against the postponement, and in favor of the passage of the bill.
   Mr. Carson spoke briefly in support of the measure.
   The vote was then taken on the indefinite postponement of the bill, with the following result:
   Yeas -- Messrs. Carter, Coghill, Critcher, Day, J. Dickenson, Douglass, Greever, Hubbard, Johnson, Logan, Lynch, Marshall, Massie, Nash, Neeson, Newlon, Pate, Queensberry, Rives, Smith, Stuart, Tallaferro, H. W. Thomas, Townes, Urquhart, and Wickham -- 26.
   Nays -- Messrs. Brannon, Bruce, Caldwell, Carson, Claiborne, A. D. Dickson, Early, French, Gatewood, Isbell, Neal, Paxton, and Thompson -- 13.
   The defeat of this bill is not of such serious importance at this time as its friends seem to suppose, for owing to the great stringency in the money markets now the work on this road could not have been commenced before this spring or, by which time a new Legislature will have assembled, the members of which we doubt not will have views sufficiently enlarged to see beyond the narrow limits of their own counties. The Valley of Virginia demands a fair outlet to market. She has asked for no money from the State to secure her this, but only that her own people may spend their own money to build a road to enable them to send their produce to that market where they can sell to the best advantage. This they are fairly entitled to, and will have. The Valley has no idea of longer being forced to pay tribute to the East. She does not believe in sucession; but she never will consent to coercion. Let the friends of the road be not discouraged. We predict the easy passage of this bill through both branches of the Legislature next winter.

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