Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1826-12-05

who.4y vaasnes IN reieseaee To the Other scheme.
These considerations, thea, induce 20 recon-
mend to your adoption this latter mode OF improve
neni. When this desirable work shall be compile
ted, a new will be opened the country
watered by this noble stream and its tributares-
AT prcsent with what great hazard and expense is
,s navigation attended? How great is the loss
which society sustains IN the subduction Of 20
much OF its labour and of 80 rnuch time. Lei this
improvement be effected, aud new relations will
nme dately spring up between the merchant and
the farmer TO their mutua benefit. A country now
40 tar removed from market as scarcely to contri-
butte any thing to the national wealth. in compare
with its actual and Intrinsic capacity, will be
awakened into life and be made TO develop all it's
resources An extensive portion of the State, in
a measure alien in feeling from the Underwater
! country, will be brought into closer union with
the latter, and admitted to participation in adj
| vantases to which it is now almost a stranger
Those the high considerations which should O.
perae the Legislature TO complete this imp ove-
meDt; but there are others OF great force and of
| immense weight.
The General Assembly, in the exercise Of its le-
climate authority in the year 1884, granted the
| exclusive right Of improving the James River to
| company composed of individuals, who, in pursu-
ance OF their charter, proceeded to the accomplish
ment of their work by cutting canal Of shor,
| tent, and by partially improving the bed of the
river far Lynchburg. The improve
ment thus effected. was justly considered unequal
| to the wants OF large portion OF the State and
the State itself, in the year 1920, purchased from
the Company its chartered rights at high premi-
urn, and resolved to prosecute the improvement on
a scale at the same time magnificent and useful
By that purchase ii not only restored itself TO its
original authority the subject, but confirmed
lis exclusive title by the annexation of individual
| and chartered rights.
/ Thus, it would seem to follow, that not the most
/ rte adj nf linn hy he
! General Government, could look for moment to
that quarter for aid in the achievement of this great
enterprise. The right Is etfeciually vested in the
State, and the Improvement must he effected by
State means, or not ct all. By these proceeding g.,
hopes have been created and just expectations ex-
cited, which it would be more THAI unwise
to disappont. The extension of the Canal TO
Maiden's Adventure at large expense, while il
has led 10 the imposition OF new bur,hens on the
people re.idin5 In all the country above it, by
reason of the increase of tolls, is attended with
comparatively small advantages Whilst it is a,i-
mitted that some few OF the risks of navigation
below its termination, by lie means avoided il,
is nevertheless manifest, that it has tended in no
degree to diminish the charges o.. transporton ex-
cept to the country lying contiguous 10 it. This
is complained OF as grievance; whether Justly or
not, 1t is not my province to decide But il is u
complaint which will give way before wise sys-
tenn of policy.-But the Legislature extended its
James River. 1t proposed 10 form bond Of union
between the eastern and western portions of our
territory by chain OF improvement, connecting
the waters of the Great kanawha with tile waters
OF the Jackson's River, and for this purpose di-
rected the Improvement OF the kanawha TO the
Great Falls, and the construction of Turnpike
road from thence to the town OF Covington on
Jackson's River. The improv ement of the Ka-
nawha is nearly consummaied and the kanawha
road is entirely completed, far originally
contemplated. The necessity and propriely, then
of completing the improvement by rendering ma
vigable the Jacksou's River from Covington, and
improving the navigation of James River, and
thereby furnishing the intermediate link between
the two extremes, must be entirely obvious. As
it now stands, of what utility is the Kanawha road,
except for the purposes Of neighborhooi inter
course, and furnishing the facilities of travel
ling? Higher and nobleI objects dictated its forma-
ton. 1t was destined to bling the man Of the
West and the Of the Eas, to each other
to introduce and sustain knowledge OF mutual
dependence, and thereby TO encourage feeling of
affection and regard for each other among the
members of the same community. 1t was intended
TO excite spirit of industry by furnishing
market to Its surplus products, and thus awaken
new energies and TO open new sources of national
wealth. But, in its present CONDITION, of what
avail Is the expenditure which has thus been made !?
The farmer beyond Covington finds himself rs alb
terror to the construction of the road; for having
reached COvinston, he can advance no farther. II
permitted 10 remain in its present condition, would
not the State stand justly chargesbe with tickle
ness of policy? Would more have been done
than to have reared perpetual monument OF wise
councils. hastily and precptately abandoned? But
waving all these considerations, and forgetting, as
Tar as we can, the great public benefit to be dis
pensed by this improvement, beg leave 10 urge it
upon you in another view. Its prosecution and
| rapid completion, is called for by mere pecunary
considerations. The State occupies the footing OF
a company in regard TO this work; and it behov es
II 10 enquire into the situation of its funds and its
probable profits. Now, then, there has been ex-
| pended on this improvement already, ,230, 900
all OF which has been procured on loan, and forms
an outstanding deb; against the State. The inter
est onthat debt amounts annually 10 the sum OF
| S7l 1913 SO. In order TO meet this interest, we
| are to look TO the tolls receivable; which,
since the imposition of increased toll on Tobac.
! CO, may be estimated at $40 900; which, after
deducng the expenses of repairs, Sc. and the year
ly dividend on seven hundred shares 10 the former
| proprie,ors, leaves applicable to the payment OF
the interest on the loans, about the of $l8 900.
| Thus, there remains unpaid the sum of S53 473
| so, which is made chargeable on the Fund for In
| ternal Improvement. Here, then, is a debt which
is only TO be discharged by resort 10 an increase
OF taxes, and which, while it lasts, operates as
moth on the Fund set apart for the beneficent OBJ
| Ject OF State improvement, in violation Of the
| principle on which that fund was created, and 10
the great grievance of other portions of the State.
What expedien', then, is left but that the scheme
OF Improvement should be consummated; and that
! IT should be achieved on such scale, as 10 pay
the interest on the loans contracted for It's compile
a H..