424             JOURNAL OF PROCEEDINGS            [Feb. 22,

and seeks to accomplish in this form an object, which, as an
original proposition, would not have been attempted with any
hope of success. This fact will not be denied, and in view of
it we feel bound to pronounce the effort to procure by indirection,
that which would not be asked for directly, as inviting legislation,
both vicious and dangerous in its tendency.

2d. To release the company from the only obligation by which
they can be compelled to construct a Rail Road from Frederick
to Hagerstown would operate a perpetual bar against the con-
struction of that road especially if released upon the terms propo-
sed, viz: an extension of the time within which the road may be
constructed to ten years instead of five as provided for in the
original act. It must be obvious to all, that by this extension
(free from all obligations to make the road at any time from
Frederick to Hagerstown) the State is locking up its most valua-
ble privileges and withholding therefrom its own citizens, how-
ever willing and able they may be, even within one year from this
time to construct this road as an independent road, with the
privileges now asked for by the Metropolitan Rail Road Company
no other road could be chartered (or ten years to come. This in
the minds of the undersigned is conclusive against the passage of
the bill.

3d. It is against the interest of the State first directly, because
the capitation tax now paid by Western travellers on passing over
the Washington Branch of the Baltimore and Ohio Rail Road, is
not imposed upon the Metropolitan Road, and consequently
is so much lost to the State. Secondly, indirectly promoting the
growth and prosperity of towns and communities beyond the
limits of Maryland, and in conflict with the trade, and necessa-
rily with the prosperity of the city of Baltimore, the commercial
emporium of the State. And thirdly by impairing the revenue of
the Baltimore and Ohio Rail Road in which the State has invested
several millions of her credit, and thus disabling that road in its
duly to protect the State against actual or possible loss.
The undersigned presume that the House of Delegates are
aware of a movement now under consideration looking to the dis-
posal of the State's interest in the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal.
How far it will be right and prudent by any present legislation to
create impediments or impose difficulties in affecting the objects
proposed, by creating a competing work almost in juxtaposition
with the canal, must be left to the discretion and judgment of
the Legislature.                                                                               

For these and other reasons which the undersigned forbear to
press upon the notice of the House, they beg leave to express their
deliberate conviction that the bill, reported by the committee
ought not to pass.                                       

L. J. BRENGLE,
                                                 WM. LOUGHRIDGE.