The Massachusetts spy, and Worcester County advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1825-1831, 1827-03-14

passed, void.
An equitable consideration connects itself
with this view OF the subject. Ii it be true,
! that the construction OF the proposed Bridge
would defeat the receipt of tolls on the exist
ing Bridges, shall the obligations and liabili-
ties Of those Corporations continued Must the
Proprietors Of Charles River Bridge, of West
Boston Bridge, and the Canal Bridge, tax
their private fortunes for thirty years to come,
10 deiray the expenses OF keeping these
bridges IN repair, lighting them, and raising
their draws? Shall the two former be compeI-
led to continue the payments respectively of
the annulties OF two hundred pounds to Har-
ward College-and the latter the stimulated
sum OF three hundred and thirty three dollars
and thirty-three cents to the Froprietors of
West Boston Bridge, so long as they shall both
remain Corporations? From these duties they
cannot exonerate themselves, and as respects
the Canal Bridge, it is undoubtingly hello, that
the government has not the power, under the
charter, to discharge the obligation.-It has
become the right of the Proprietors of West
Boston Bridge, to receive the money uncondj-
tlonally, aud without reference to any consid-
GRAFTON, and the payment can be released only
at Their pleasure. In relation to all these cor
poIations, the acts creating them, provided,
that for the purpose OF enabling them to per-
right to toll. Could the Legislature intend or
believe, that without the receipt of toll these
Liabilities would remain? Yet the present bill
offers no discharge; provides no indemnity.
1t subjects to a certain loss of revenue, but
leaves them with the burden of repairs, the
care OF the draws, the expense Of lights, and
the payments OF heavy ahnuities, for many
years to come. Can this be equitable? Is il
an arrangement worthy the just character OF
the State9 Is there nothing, upon the princi-
Piles OF good faith, due to the claims of these
| corporations? And besides, may not the ef-
tect-the natural and obvious effect OF this
legislation be a little further regardt d , Will
these Bridges be preserved by the present pro-
prletors II the tolls be destroyed. The mode
OF enforcing against them the performance of
duty is by Selling upon the franchise of the
corporation. II this be worthless it will be
sufft red to become forfeit, and the Bridge will
decay and be lost. The Proprietors have no
interest in their repairs except from the tolls,
and when the expenses come TO exceed the
| income, the work will be neglected. They
must then be assumed by the State, and main
tanned at the public charge. The money
pledged to the College must also be paid from
the treasury, or lost to sCiepce and the faith Of
government here again violated. Indeed,
consequences now lightly needed, numerous,
ruinous, and unforeseen, may ensue. 1t is
alike from these considerations of what is due
TO equity and public justice, that the passage
OF the bill is objected to as Impolitic and mex
pedent.
In one other point of view the bill is regard
ed as unsaiutary. Great Improvements of
country have, with US, been the work OF pri-
waite enterprise and responsibility. The pub
lie mind seems yet hardly prepared for liberal
expenditures, nor does the state OF the public
chest admit of large appropriations. To the
interest and confidence Of private associations
we must look for inv cstment OF funds ia the
prosecution OF valuable and useful objects
aud it is only from a firm reliance on the most
scrupulous regard TO rights, under acts of in
corporation, that they will be encouraged to
action. Let distrust of the good faith OF the
! government, nay OF ITS most careful and ieal-
Gus protection OF corporate interests once be
| entertained, and there is an end to the abors
| Of associations OF individuals in great and no.
bic undertakings. The worst policy will be
introduC ed and the greatest prejudice TO
country Suffered.
do not advert, distinctly as an objection,
TO the destruction, thus Unexpectedly and
PFentaturety, of the reversionary interest,
which the Commonwealth is supposed TO have
in the existing Bridges. This is a matter entire.
doubtless been we'll considered. 1t would
seem, however, that, at least, sufficient hold
should be kept of this property, TO secure the
future support of the Bridges, with the expense
of lighting them, and the management of their
draws. small toll from pleasure carriages
alone, might be adequate 20 these objects,
while the lahoring and business part Of the
community could well be relieved from all
charge for their travel and accomn odatiou.
The provision in the 9Th section Of the act
cannot be considered as, in any degree, obvi-
ating the general objections to the Till. In
deed this very provision leaves room 70
doubt my duty on this occasion. II imports
distinct admission of the sense Of the Legisla-
ture, that there is no pressing Cccasion for an
additional Bridge, for the accommodation Of
The public trauei, inasmuch as il provides
| that if the Proprietors oil Charles River Bridge
shall within sixty days from the passing Of the
act agree to surrender to the Commonwealth
their Bridge, from and after the thirty-6rs. day
OF December, eighteen hundred and thirty -one,
the new Bridge shall mol be constructed be-
fore the expiration Of that time, and that il
msy be constructed within two years after
yards, while no obligation is imposed TO do
il at all. 1t thus gives the negative to the ex-
istence Of the occasion, which could alone
justify the interposition of the Legislature,
that OF a pIeSept public convenience and ne
ceSstiy, the true ground, and the only ground
| upon which commissioners of roads are per-
mitted to adjudcate highways in the coun-
! try. The bill then, may, in effect, but c0erce
the present corporation TO reinquish their
tolls, without otherwise adding 10 the public
convenience. 1t becomes, in IFS true charac-
ter, measure, by which portion OF the citi
zens are to be relieved from the burden of a
tax incurred in their personal accommodation,
by imposing different burden in the main
tenance Of the old Bridge, and ultimately of
all the Bridges, upon the whole community,
or upon the municipal corporations, if it may
be done, which are contiguous to these