Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1826-01-28

' AT
lie fund owned by the state; ne meant the Lie
rary fund MIR. H. drew parallel between the
management of the two funds. The Literary
Fund had suffered by the defalcation OF the late
treasurer. And it would be recollected that at
one time, $780, 900 Of its capital, was voted to
the University, and it was now understood that
some $4,000 more were wanted. lie contend
ed that if that fund had been as well organized,
as the fund for Internal Improvement, these
Entertainments upon its capital, would Proba'
blv not have taken place. The Board OF Pub.
lie Works, he thought destined yet TO be OF
great service to the public. But, If 1t was, as
had been said, no more than counsel board, 1t
might be necessary to give it more power, that
it might be more useful. He was convinced
that when the House annihilated that Board,
it would take the first step towards annihiiatlng
the fund itself.
Mr.. Bouldin supported the resolution, mere
" that the subject might be investigated, II the
Board was not necessary il ought not 10 be con-
tinued Both funds were fruitful sources OF
LEGISLATION and discussion, and prolonged the
sessions of the House. He had understood
that the state, land and all, were mortgaged to
the old James River Company, for some 90 or
80 900 dollars annually for ever, and ne was
anx ious to inquire into whatever was connect
ed with the subject
Mr. May was opposed to adopting the reso'
luton on account of the lateness Of the Session.
The subject was important and would give
rise to much debate, and he had no idea that IT
the House should not be willing 10 abolish the
Board, that they would agree upon any Parh-
cuIar measure The Board sit but once ayear;
L.,
year had been incurred If, at the meeting OF
the next Legislature an abolition was thought
proper. it could be effected with as great saw
ing as though it took place now.
Mr.. Harvie, when last up had omitted to
say, that the Managers of the Literary Fund
had taken upon themselves, without the autho-
rity Of law, to suspend the investment oil $685.
600 of the fund received from the United States,
because they thought the Legislature might
give some other direction to it. BY this course,
it was thought that the sum Of or $4,000
had been lost. Was not this some reason Tor
keeping the fund for Internal improvement as
it now stood!
Mr. Winston remarked that the simple ques-
ton was, whether the corporate powers OF the
Board were to be transferred from one set Of in
dividuals to another or not. He did not think
with Mr.. Harvie, that it followed that such
transfer would lead to dissolution OF the fund
Mr.. Gholson was in favor of the resolution
He thought we had reached the ultima thule OF
Internal improvement. 1t was time to fix on
some wiser course TO be pursued hereafter. He
feared we were not only becoming ridiculous on
the subject, bu. bankrupt, and insisted on the
necessity of adopting some more efficient sys-
tenn. The Board of Public Works were not
efficient They were nothing more than the
organ through which reports, estimates, sc.
were submitted to the Legislature. If the re-
solution led to no other effect, but the organ-
cation of the board, it was on that account to
be supported.
The question was then taken, and the reso:
luton adopted without division.