The Massachusetts spy, and Worcester County advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1825-1831, 1825-12-28

which have generally been found the leading
politicians Of Virginia, and some other of the
southern States yet the proportion Of them
is yearly diminishing, and the subject bids fail
TO become the favorite political hobby Of the
day. Wherever the U. S. Engineers have
been sent, it is said that the people have be-
come united in favor of the system, and that
such serious inroads have been made, even in
old Virginia. that, out of seven new members
to Congress from that State, SIX are the avow-
ed advocates of internal Improvements.
Although the right Of the General Govern
ment to engage in such works, appears nov TO
be so generally admitted, yet we apprehend
there will be no very extensive appropriations
made for that purpose at present. The most
that has hitherto been effected, is the build
ing and continuation Of the Cumberland road,
the subscription to the Chesapeake and Della
ware Canal stock, and the appropriation,
made at the last session, for surveys. The
former was Of national importance, as il add
cd to the value, and promoted the settlement
of the public lands; the second is desirable
object to all the middle States and to Virginia,
and il is supposed the stock will pay hand
some dividend in the benefits of the latter,
all parts of the Union hoped to participate.
But when propositions are brought forward
for Improvements of merely local or section
al character-and such will doubtless be in
acknowledgements will hesitate before loos-
ening the purse strings of the nation, unless
some arrangement should be made for secur-
ing the several States their proportional part
of the appropriations. 1t will have been seen
by our Congressional Journal that member
from this State has proposed an amendment to
the Constitution to secure such distribution.
Several amendments 10 the Constitution
have already been proposed, particularly in
relation to the choice of President and Vice
President. If any alteration could be made
which would be, in fact, an improvement, it
| ought to be adopted. But we much doubt
whether any mode can be devised, TO which
there will not be objections of such magni-
tude, as to prevent their obtaining the majori-
ty necessary to their adoption. Some of these
propositions, now before Congress, are evil
IDENTIFY made with reference TO the interests OF
particular individuals, or sections of the coun-
try, while others are calculated to produce
evils of greater magnitude shan those they
are intended to remove. OF the latter, is the
one which proposes to have all the electors
meet at the Seat of Government, and ballot
for President till one shall have been elected.
The assembling of all the electors at one
place, would open door for bargaining and
caballing, and would be productive, at everp
election, OF all the evils which are noD appre-
hended, only when the choice devolves on
Congress. Besides, it can hardly be expected
that the smaller States will be ready TO Weld.
without an equivalent, the increase of power
which falls into their Lands when no choice is
made by the people. The subject. however,
will afford an opportunity for specifying TO
many who are anxious for chance of dis
playing their marvellous eloquence and patri-
otism.