Elizabeth-Town gazette. [volume] (Elizabeth-Town, N.J.) 1818-1821, 1820-06-20
From the Trenton Federalist.
LEGISLATURE OF NEW. JERSEY.

The following is the Report, by Mr. Hopkinson,
from the committee Of enquiry relative to meas.
ures for the public relief, made in the House Of
Assembly on the Cd inst.
The General Assembly Of the Stale oil
New-Jersey, deeply sensible Of the pc
cuniary embarrassments of many of their
fellow-citizens, and anxiousiy DESTROYS oi
relieving them, have given their utmost
attention TO the petitions presented ON this
interesting subject. They have sought
from the resources OF their own minds.
IS vel! as lrea. he wisdom and experience
OF others, for some just aud practicable
remedy for existing evils; but, at the same
time, they have not been unmindful oil the
difficulties of the case; and have hesstated
10 adopt measures of redress, of whose
justice and policy they are doubtful; and
of the efficacy of which they have no
reasonable assurance. Palliatiyes, which
may suspend the pain for season, but do
not remove the disease, are not restora-
tives OF health; and it is worse than use
less to lessen the present pressure by
means which will finally plunge us deeper
in distress. II is our duty not to deceive
the people, and rather TO bear their i'm
mediate displeasnre, thandelude them with
promises that must fail 10 their perform
ance-or trifle with their misfortunes, by
specious experiments that Cannot alleviate
them. When men suffer, it is natural
they should complain; and they are un-
willing to believe their case admits OF 10
cure but by slow and gradual means.
They impatientIy, if not Indignantly, aban-
don the physician who pretends TO flo mi-
raculous powers Of healing, and fly to the
empiric who promises all they desire, and
betrays them into deeper distress. From
these remarks, the result of the enquiries
of the Assembly may be anticipated; and
if it disappoints the hopes OF many, We
trust we shall have credit for the sincerity
of our sympathies with those that suffer;
and for the qualification we would have
felt had it been in our power to diminish
their distress.
Two projects only have been agitated
here, or, perhaps, thought of elsewhere.
First, that the state shall loan competent
sum OF money to such persons as are 10
need of it, upon sufficient security for its
repayment at a proper period Of credit.
Many objections present themselves at once
to this proposition. In the first place the
state has no money to lend aud unless the
sum loaned be very considerable, say half
million of dollars, the relief will be
hardly felt. 1t is undoubtedly true, the
state may borrow but to impose heavy
taxes, at this time, upon the people, tol
pay the interest of the loan, amounting to
thirty thousand dollars year, with that
punctIality which will be required of the
state, and which she cannot exact from
those who will borrow from her, seems
neither TO be polite OF just. When we
consider, too, the loss OF interest for the
period that must elapse between the bor-
rowing the money by the state, aud the
re-loaDing it to individuals, that much
will certainly be lost in the expenses oil
distributing it, and taking the necessary
securities, and probably much more 10
the expenses OF recovering it when due,
the objection increases in strength. Fur
Their, we perceive great difficulties 10
making such distribution of this fund as
would attain the object desired, or be tol
erably satisfactory to the people. Will
those who most want 1t be able TO give the
required security. which il is presumed
will be mortgage Of unincumbered real
estate? Can there be many who are able
TO give such security 10 very serious need
OF this extraordinary aid ? But a stronger
objection to this measure remains: The
loan, at best, will be but a temporary as
sistance; it will neither discharge the
debt which presses the debtor nor enable
him to do it; it changes the creditor anc
extends the credit; and does no more
If we could believe that the difficultie.
complained of are temporary, produced
by some unexpected and transient cause
by the failure of crops which another and
better season might remedy, we should
see source from which the debtor might
restore the money advanced, and the ne.
gociation would be reasonable and safe or
both sides: but as assuredly this is not the
case, as the causes Of distress are not Of TO-
day. or yesterday, but lie deeply rooted
10 the condition of our country for more
than twenty years, now suddenly changed
il is idle TO hope to be restored to pros.
perity by expedients Of an hour---by short.
lived remedies--which may give ease ia
the troubled heart for a moment, but must
finally deepen its distress.
Our people have had an unexampled
course OF prosperity; wealth has flowed
into every hand that would open to receive
It; neither industry or capacity was ne.
cessary. for its accumulation. Our ex.
travagance has, at least, kept pace with
our fortune; and We have acquired habits
OF expense unknown in any other country