Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1826-11-09
abandon their support of domestic manufac-
lures. roads and canals.

lures, roads and canals
! On the bill to aid the State of Illinois in the
construction of canal to connect the waters OF
Lake Michigan with those Of the Mississippi,
Messrs. Kane and Benton were INDUCED in Vot-
| ing for its passage, (the subject being too near
home to be trihed with,) by which means tie
was produced and the bill defeated by the cast
ing vote of the Vice President, as 1t hac been
previously arranged it should be. afterwards
the whole coalition, including Col. Benton, vot-
ed against, and defeated the bill to repair the
| Cumberland road; by which 1t was proposed 10
repair, and keep in order, that great avenue, then
in state of dilapidaton by collecting tolls, ana
to prevent or punish future injuries by the I'M
| position of adequate penalties. This road has
ever been the special favorite of the Western
States and they are equally DESTROYS to extend
and nreserye it. 1t will, also, be remembered
that Col. Benton, himself, while Editor Of the
ST. Louis Enquirer, and candidate for'the Sc
na,e in anticipation of the state government,
boas:ed that he had wrought upon the great
! National highway from its commencement, and
! nledeed himself TO continue his labor until 1t
| should reach the western confines OF this state,
or even the Pacific. It's said, that he still pro-
fesses the same principles, and equal zeal; that
he still maintains the constitutional competen-
cy of Congress to construct roads. but denies
their right to collect tolls to keep them in re-
pair, which, he contends, can only be done by
annual appropriations out-of the National trea-
sury. All power on the subject Of internal i'm
provements has been denied by the opponents
Of the system, because, they say, none has
been expressly delegated to Congress, and is,
therefore, reserved to the states exclusively
consequently its exercise by the National CO.
vernment is an invasion Of state rights. Col.
B. insists, that the contested power is clearly
implied in those expressly delegated; that the
construction OF road is not, but the erection
of toll gate upon il, is, an encroachment on
state rights. He admits, that the main power
is maintain by construction--why he stops
half way, and excludes the incident, requires ex-
PLANTATION. With submission, i: would seem to
be sticking 10 the letter, and surrender Of the
substance--an attempt TO establish dlstinc-
ton without difference, which betrays total
want of confidence in the principle insisted on,
and gives manifest advantage to its adversarles.
a power 10 construct roads and canals, neces-
sarily implies power 10 repair and preserve
them, and the choice of the means as neces-
sary incident-the greater includes the less, and
the accessory follows the principal.
The course pursued by Col. Benton in rela
ton to this subject, considered as question Of
expediency, will be found to be striklngly at va
rance with his contemplated reform in the ma
nagement of the National finances, and his pre-
tended attachment to economy in the public ex-
Denditure. A real economist would suppose,
that after road or canal is constructed at the
common expense of all, those who enjoy its be-
nefts should keep it in repair Foreign COM
merce pays, by the name Of tonnage duty, inn
posts and customs, (Which are no other than
taxes or tolls, not only for the creation and pre-
servation Of its facilities but defrays all the ex-
penses Of government; supports It's credit Il is
rapidly paying off the National debt. Surely
il is not too much TO require, that internal COM
merce should pay for the preservation OF us Ia
cilities, after they are provided at the Nations
expense. Even correspondence between the
citizens is taxed, not only to pay Tor the means
afforded, but 10 enable members OF Congress 70
transmit cart loads Of pamphlets and election
eering speeches, to subserve their private pur-
poses without private expense. The Pos, o.
fee establishment is made to support i'self by
taxing letters; why should not roads be kept in
repair by tolls? An attempt has already been
made by Col. Benton to produce excitement
against the Administration, which, he says, "in
these sky light, rather sky rocket times
"is circumnayigating the globe, and vaulting "a
ganst the Heavens, to fud out objects OF ex-
pendi,ure."t He even seizes on the amount of
the National debt, as a topic OF defamation and
denunciation. Yet he continually advocates
measures to multiply demands on the treasury
and diminish it resources: his plan of keeping
the public roads in repair, is an example of the
one, and his scheme for giving away the pub
lie lands, of the other,
No greater amount of public money can with
any propriety, be applied to internal improve
ment, than will be sufficient for the gradual adj
vancement of the system. II is insisted, that
there shall be additional appropriations for,
keeping them in repair, there is danger tina, we
shall be forced to abandon them altogether, or
resor, to internal taxation, (direct tax and ex-
cise,) TO pay of the public Gebt. The roads &
canals now in contemplation as National works,
will not only require large sums. of money to
construct them, but the expenses of their pre-
servaton will increase with the progress OF the
work, and the whole, when completed; will
probably require not less than million of dol
lars, annually, to keep them in repair. If those
who use them for their own pleasure, or profit,
were required, like those who enjoy the benefit