Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1826-12-11

,.vree to diminish the charges of transporta-
ssn except to the country lying contiguous to
This is. complained Of as grievance; whe-
- M.r Justly or not, it is not my province to de-
' 'S.. But, it is complaint which will give
90 before wise system of policy. But the
sr'a;slature extended its views still further than
she Improvement Of James River. II pro-
"a 10 form bond of union between the
.,srn and western portions Of our territory
e. chain of improvement, connecting the wa
~ y. Of the great Kanawha with the waters of
rs..tson's river, ant for this purpose directed
- Improvement Of the Kanawha to the Great
r.us and the construction of a turnpike road
4 sam thence to the town of Coyington on Jack
~, River. The Improvement of the Kama
~ ~. Is nearly consummated; and the Kanawha
VA VA IS entirely completed, so far as was orgi-
Wv Wv contemplated. The necessity and pro-
n. .;,,y. then, of completing the improvement by
rps,dering nayigable the Jackson's River from
rov;ngton, and improving the navigation Of
LINES River, and thereby furnishing the inter-
".aate Ink between the two extremes, must
=. entirely obvious As il now stands, of what
.,;,y is the Kanawha road, except for the pur-
's.ss Of neighborhood intercourse, and as fur
pp;.h;ne the facilities oftravelling? Higher and
"oher objects dictated its formation II was
Is.,iped 10 bring the man of the West and the
n.n Of the East nearer to each Other 10 intro,
s %r and sustain knowledge of mutual depen-
asoce. and thereby to encourage feeling Of
.ssclion and regard for each other among the
.smbers of the same community 1t was in
ended to excite new spirit Of industry, by
s,,nishng market to its surplus products,
and thus to awaken new energies and to open
new sources of national wealth. But in it's pre-
.snt condition, of what availis the expenditure?
The farmer beyond Covington finds himself as
,bsolately shut out from market now, as he was
,n,eror to The construction of the road; for,
having reached Covington, he can advance no
irthsr. Ifpermitted to remain in its present
condition, would not the State stand Justly
ebarpeable with hckleness Of policy? Would
more have been done, than to have reared per-
netual monumen, ofwise councils, hastily and
ppsciptately Abandoned? But waving all these
considerations, and forgetting, as far as we can,
he great public benefit to BE dispensed by this
Improvement, beg leave TO urge it upon you
in another view. Its prosecution and rapid
completion, is called for by mere pecuniary con-
,derations The State occupies the footing of
a accompany in regard to this work, and it be-
hoyes it to enquire into the situation of its
funds and its probable profits. Now, then, there
has been expended on this improvement alrea-
DIV. Sl,2So, 900; all Of which has been procured
on loan, and forms an outstanding debt against
the State The interest on that debt amounts
annually to the sum Of ST. ,673 so. In order
10 meet this interest," we are TO look TO the tolls
now receivable; which, since the imposition Of
an increased toll on Tobacco, may be estimated
100000; which, after deductlng the expen-
SEES Of repairs, &c., and the yearly dividend on
II IL 4 for.
leaves applicable to the payment os the interest
on the loans, about the sum of $4,000. Thus,
there remains unpaid the sum of S53,473 so,
which is made chargeable on the fund for Inter-
nal Improvement Here, then, is debt, which
is only to be discharged by resort TO an in
crease of taxes, and which, while it lasts, ope-
rates as moth on the fund set apart for the
bene6cent object of state improvement, in vio-
htion of the principle on which that fund was
created, and to the great grievance Of other por-
tons of the state. What expedient, then, is
left. but that the scheme of improvement
should be consummated; and that it should be
achieved on such a scale, as to pay the interest
on the loans contracted for its completion, and
to afford reasonable prospect of reimburse
men, of the principal Of those loans? That
this will be the result, should the improvement
BY locks and dams be escorted to, and steam be
successfully introduced, is fully demonstrated
by the able Report Of the Principal Engineer
I'shall find my apology in the importance OF
The subject for urging still farther consldera-
lions, growing naturally out oft. In all under
takings, calling for the expenditure OF large
sums Of money, and looking 10 reimbursement
from the profits of the work when completed,
rapidity Of execution is essentially important.
The expenditure is added 10 by delay since It
becomes augmented by the payment OF, interest,
and the loss of profit. The shortest possible
time, then, should be taken for the completion
Of the work. When commenced, 1t should be
prosecuted with untiring energy, to its compile
ton. This is the dictate Of sound economy
Bat, in order 10 ensure economy in It's execu-
ton, as well as permanency, the work should
be performed under the direction and controui
Of the Principal Engineer. All subordinate a
gents should be bound implicitly by his ~
slructions Thus, he would be made, to pro-
per extent, the responsible head. And per
feet security would be provided against al! false
estimates. But, if, on the contrary, subordinate
agents are TO be permitted at pleasure to con
trout the views of the Engineer, II his opinions
are to be respected by them, or disregarded at
r,o oil l.