The Portland gazette. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1818-1824, 1823-02-18
COMMUNICATIONS.
CUMBERLAND AND OXFORD CANA
hlR. SHIRLEY.

MIR. SHIRLEY.
Having seen III print protest OF the minority Of
the Senate against - Act authorizing Lottery for
the benefit Of the Cumberland and Oxfold Canal Cor
poration," you will obge one who ia favor Of
the bill by giving like publicity the following
marks containing in substance his views, togeth-
with the motives that governed his vote and 81 far a.
lie is acquainted those Of tho majority in both branches
A MEMBER OF THE LEGISLATURE.
Il will be readily admitted that general and
indiscriminatc encouragement to lotteries, would
be unwisc they undoubtedly produce an cxci-
tation and spirit of adventure, whose tendency
may be injurious to a community. BIT still,
when properly managed, they may occasionally
be put into operation, 10 aid public enterprises,
with benefit to the State, and without disadvan-
tage to individuals. That every community of
men will have the misfortune to number among
its members the idle disordily and dsspated, is
fact no one will be disposed to deny such a
state of society existed before lotteric5 were
brought into operation, and will continue to ex-
lst however rigourously they may be exclud-
ed. 1t cannot be hoped that the most severe
legislative measures can oe eliectual ia restrain
inc The propensity Which dwells in the hum an
mind, to enter into speculations Of this nature,
and to seek wealth by shorter road than that
which leads through industry and perseverance
under such circumstances, therefore, it NAV
sometimes be advisable, to turn this spirit to the
advantage of the commonwealth.
In celebrating upon the undertaking which
was proposed by the bill, great majority were
satisfied Of the practicability Of the measure,
and Of the great public as well as private bene-
fit, that would result from its accomplishment.
1t is fact, and we'll known, that in other states
internal Improvement was moving on with a
steady and constantly increasing pace many
I - =. C.s-s.
territories, which have given stimulus to in
dustrv, and visbly promoted the means Of pub
lac prosperity. In this State country is found
peculiarly calculated for this kind Of improve
ment it had been surveyed BY an able engineer,
and found 90 be practicable for a Canal, and
that The work would be easy Of execution: here
is a rout nearly sixty miles an extent, through
a large part of which a water communication
already exists a considerable and industrious
population is spread over the contiguous count
", and the canal would connect well wooded,
q wcll pc, pled, and fertile interior with the sea
board al the principal port and market place in
the State. But this undertaking which promis-
ed so many advantages, both to town and count
~ 10 individuals and TO the state, could not pro-
coed for thc want oil pccuniary aid. "A charter
had been given TO a company by a former legis-
laturc TO accomplish this enterprise, but being
unable 10 raise sufficient money to carry it into
effect, they peutioncd the present Legislature
TO afford them encouragement by authorizing
them 10 raise $4,000 b. lottery, sum not one
half thcamOunt of the estimated expence. The
Legislature, being fully satisfied that the State
was unable to afford them pecuniary aid from
the Treasury, and that the object contemplated
was worthy Of patronage, did think that lotte-
ry might safely be granted 10 them, under such
restrictions as would secure the public from loss,
and procure to them fund for the advancement
Cf their operatin 5.
The arguments in favour Of the measure may
be briefly stated as follows