The Massachusetts spy, and Worcester County advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1825-1831, 1826-06-14

thus artlncIaiy created! At the same time
the neishboring estates have appreciated
The value of farms has been enhanced, an
Their cultivation encouraged, by an increases
demand for their produce. The rhysica
iofce OF the State is strengthened, by The O:
Sahizatlon of additional corps Of Militia, from
an augmented population, and lis moral con
oition improved, by sffording occupation to {
class OF poor and dependent families, which
before were in idleness for want OF the means
OF employ menf, and in ignorance from de
NAL OF opportunities for instruction. Let il
not be said, that these results show, that there
is no occasion for the proposed modification oil
the laws. Many and great as are the i'm
provements already made, there is vet ample
room for their extension. However little
those men, who are engaged in the existing
establishments, may have needed their per-
sonal Liabilities, or however fortunate or con-
hdent they may be in their present associa-
lions, it will not be denied, that there are nu-
mefous Others, proyident and discerning, anu
ehterprisieg capitalists too, who are deferred
IRON participating in the manufacturing busl-
ness Of the Commonwealth, solely, by the
provisions of the statutes.-Else. from what
cause has it arisen, that large sums have been
invested, by Citizens Of Massachusetts, in the
manufacturers of the neighboFing States Of
New Hampshire and Maine-was it, that up
on the banks Of our Rivers, no nnoccupled
place could be found for the location OF their
workshops,o or that in the current Of the waters
no sufficient power could be acquired to propel
their machinery-or was it not rather, that
the Statute Books of those Governments, re-
garding only the responsibilities Of Corpora
tons for credits which Corporations only
obtained, impose no individual liabilities,
by reason OF the smallest proportion Of
interest, TO the payment of corporate debts,
without limit in amount o~time OF de-
mand even to the peril Of the ruin of
private fortune, and of the imprisonment OF
persons? The money which has thus been
sent from the Commonwealth, if it had been
expended upon similar objects within it,
would have added thousands TO her popula-
ton, and hundreds Of thousands to her pecu-
MARY resources. This language may be
thought more earnest than the subject viii
justify, but it has been impelled by a strong
sense OF official duty, and pertains TO the ex-
preston OF those views Of public policy, which
deeply regard the SUBSTANTIAL and permanent
prosperity Of the State.
By an act of the last Session, creating the
Salem Mil Dam Corporation, the Legislature
have already departed from the provisions of
the general Statute, and expressly sanctioned
one OF the principles of modification which
has been recommended, that of the limitation,
as TO time, of the liabilities Of individuals
after they shall cease 10 be members of Cor
porations. Let this principle be equally APP
pied to Stockholders in all manufacturing
Corporations, and the extent in the amount Of
responsibility be rendered certain, and as
much as is consistent with the public security
and all that is desirable, viii probably be-
effected.
But, at least, there is one feature in the
present laws, which, if there be no other &C.
casion, should induce TO their revision. In
their practical operation, they now tend to
infinite circuity Of action, and this effect,
have heretofore professionally witnessed.
The Corporator who pays the debt Of this Cor
poration, thereby becomes its Creditor. With
his process for indemnity, he may fasten, for
the whole amount, upon the property or per-
son Of either of his associates, and this one, in
turn for redress, may again recur to the former.
The liabilities and the remedies of parties
may thus be made peTpetually to alternate,
or at their election, pass in endless circuity
the round OF all the Corporators, aud remain
forever unsatisfed. II the principle of the
personal liability Of the members Of Corpora
tons is TO be preserved, IL would seem wise
to provide, that, as between themselves, the
rule which governs ia the case of copartners
should be adopted, and that he who discharg
es the Joint debt should look to the joint fund,
or have his personal resort to bis associates,
for contribution only, according to their re-
spcctive proportions Of interest.
There is yet another subject Of high public
bo- ~, bae nd
dressed 10 the attention of the Legislature,
and which, on this occasion, approach With
much solicitude. 1t is that, which relates to
the construction of works for. promoting and
facilitating inter communication between DIFF
terent and distant places, from the remote ex-
tremes TO the capital Of the State. The opn-
ions of enlightened, discerning, and instructed
men have been sufficiently strong, in other
parts of our country to subject to the test OF
unerring experience, all speculations, upon
the operation and results of the accomplish
ment of similar objects. Through the whole
extent of the United States, in various assem-
blaees Of citizens, in Congress, and in the
Halls ct state Leglsiauou, q sonS'"f s0"r1-
ment has been declared, favorable to meas
pres for improving the communication between
tbc interior and the sea board, and for exped:-
ting the transportation of merchandise ard
nroduce to their respective markets. In 'ohGt
manner, ana at sVhat- time, Massachusetts Is
10 profit Of the advantages, which such iacu-
tiles afford, is with the Legislature to decide.
II becomes not the respect which bear to
this department of the Government, impo .,i
nately 10 urge personal opinions upon Their
adoniion. On former occasions, these have
been distinctly expressed. It unfortunately
however. seems 10 be misunderstood oy some
that PRECISE and ezelus'ee character o. ils'
provement has been contemplated, ano uen'
mo selected for the first experiment. Moth
inc has been fnrther from the intention OF the
Executive. The great subject OF internal I'M
movement, as applicable to the Interests o
Inc Commonwealth, was presented Tor consld
Grafton. Whatever was the mode suggested
in which this might be promoted, 1t was pro
nosed only, that means should he adoPteo ~