Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1828-12-06

this information will apply to the president
himself. as well as TO the head Of each DEPART
ment.
Amonps, the various causes which serve 10
call into action the anxious sensibili'les OIL 'he
people Of Virginia, during this year, was the
interesting SUBJECT Of Internal Improvements
The excitrmenis produced thereby became 50
extensive, that portions oil the people oi tnir.y'
nine counties and Of several towns voluntarily
sent representatives to convention 10 meet d
Charlottesville on the l4th day OF July, 1898,
for the pur pose'of taking that subject into con-
sideration. This convention, composed OF CIV
zens amongst the most renowned ior talents
responsibility, met accordingly, and adopted.
certain proceedings, which, in virtue OF one OIL
its resolutions have been forwarded to me by
Mr.. Madison, the chairman, accompanied with
a letter. requesting me to lay them before the
General Assembly; and now take great plea
sure in complying with that request. lheSe
proceedings speak for the IN selves, and require
no commen,ar from me, and . now rely upon
he wisdom of the General Assembly Tor the
doovion of any such measures oil improvement
as may be sugges ed by the information con,
tanned therein But without interfering with
aDy specified object OF immediate improvement
r. ommeuded by that convention, hope may
be indnlgrd in calling the attention oil the Heh-
eral A ssembly during its present session, 10 one
which | conceive 10 be OF greatly more utility,
than expence, although the same measure was
under the consideration of the las, Gsneral As
semb,y. and did nor then receive the approha-
ton of both It's branches 1t is the coniinua'
lion and completion Of the Kenawha Turnpike
road from its present termination, lo'lhe mouth
of the Big Sandy, near the junction OF Virgin
ia, Kentucky and Ohio ! oonceiv, this mea-
sure 10 he Of so much urgency, and promises so
much utility and advantage 10 the state, paris
cularly 20 the people residing IN CERTAIN sec
tons Of it, as well as to large portion OF our
Western bre hren, tina, deem il worthy Of re-
consideratior.
1t is represented TO me, upon calculations en-
li,lcd thDk, 10 full credit, that the in' rease
Of tolls upon the finished part Of that road AID
he whole tolls upon the part proposed TO BIT
finished, would afford fund fully adequate 20
the payment Of the annual interest, upnn sui
6Cient sum 10 effect the object, aud the ul'i-
mate reimbursement Of the principal. II this
result should be true, then, even upon the sup
position of cfftcting the improvement by loan,
I could be done, not only without pec"niary
loss, bu, with gain to The a'e, and none can be
iosensibIe of Tie grea accommodations " nc h
would be afforded thereby, 20 vrry srea num-
her of individuals. am also s'li Of opinion
that il would comport wi h the dignity and lib
cral,y of the stae, &c open .oad for the &C
commodaion Of the people OF the Norlhwes-
ern section OF he S;a,e, corresponding nearly
wiki the rosle befr e recommended, although
the proceeds Of tolls, for some time to come,
might not be sufficient 10 cnvCr all the costs.
herewith lay before the General Assembly
c. rrespondence between joel Shire wsbury. Esq
Chairman Of the committee in behalf vi the
people of K.naw ha, aud myself, in my capacity
Of P,es,den, Of the Board IF Public Works, &
Of The James river Company, with the accom-.
panyine papers. These papers will fully DIS
close the object, Of the correspondence can
not avoid EXPIRE ssing my sincere desire, that
the facts called Tor in behalf of the people Of
Krnawha, NAV be asceriained under the ar
r.ngements, sugg sted by The Ex-offi 10 Mem
bers Of the James River Company for that pur-
pose deem them important 10 enable ihe
General Assembly 10 act with wisdom and JUS
tice towards the people OF thai section OF COUP
try. l am OF opinion, that it the facts alleged
by he complainanis, should be found upon ex-
animation 10 be true, tina; further legislative
pro, isions would be required tor their relief
Whilst upon the subject Of the reduction oil
tolls, called for by these papers, canno, avoid
calling your attention 10 the subrct upon a
tina, the Tariffs Of tolls in this State generally
are 100 high, and are certainly so in some par
ticular instances. / conceive wise, udicious
Tariff Of tolls 10 be the vital principle nf all
Internal Improvements. II The TOLLS be TOO high
the facility afforded 10 transportation will bur-
then it beyond the worth of The accommodation
afforded. On the very FIRST blush Of The sub
irct, the evils OF incorporated rights presen,
themselves in most formidable array against
the powers Of the State Government to do JUS
lice upon this important subject. We have
already in many cases ses'sd the rights OF the
existing rates Of tolls in corporations, and they
mus, be held sacred. The Consent oil the COR.
porations mus: be obtain d, before the correc>
tons can me made How j., this 10 BE- done?-
There is but one way. BY giving FOR every
concession more than it is worth. | earnestly
beg the General Assembly TO review the mum,
Der OF corporations, hey have already granted,
founded upon common rights? Every corpo-
ration is government, more or less iDauen-
tial according to the sum Of common rights
| granted 10 each such corporation. II is AN