Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1829-01-22

expenses. Ii sppcarst 10 have been the policy OF
the state. 10 supply this excess Of expenditure owe.
the income, by appropriaiing a portion Of the capt.
tai oil the general fund TO that object, rather than
resort 10 the renewal oftiie state tax, or the inpo-
, sitlon of other iirect burthens upon the people
II j. left 10 thc wisdom OF the legislature, 70 sane
tion The policy OF permitting, as has heretofore
been done. tiis annual and necessarily increasing
deficit, 10 DC supplied by a corresponding reduc-
J ton OF the capital of the general fund, or to pro-
vide an addition TO the present revenue, that shall
make it fully equal to the charges upon il.
The Literature fund is 1851 ,6093S2, and its re-
venue Tor the current year, is estimated at S2l,-
va 10. The management Of this fund, and the
distribution OF its Income, are entrusted TO the Re
gents OF the University, under such restrictions.
,however, as 10 make the Incorporated academies,
and sefninaries other than cole ;,es, subjec, to the
visita;Io! OF the Regents, the exclusive objects OF
this munihcent beneiaction.
The productive capital of The Common School
Fund, is about 81 roo .O00. Although the revenue
mas not, IN any past year. been quite sufficient to
pay tiie appropriation of 500, 900, directed by law
TO be ANNUALLY distributed TO the common schools
! II Is believed ;hat it will exceed that SUR the pre-
sent year.
, The income Of the Canal Fund for the wear,
which has just terminated. can not at this time be
F.. precisely ascertained; but il is estimated to be "a
oout Si,2in,357, CT which 1888 900 have been
derived from tolls. The compensation paid to the
various officers employed ON the canals, the inter.
est on the cana! debt. aud the expenses Tor repairs
a"u Damages, have amounted to about $3.50 ,632.
The present canal debt is $7,73o,l55 90. : No
partof 1t Is payable till 1897, and the greater part
Of 1t not ill 1915 and 1916. Since the completion
Of the Erie aud Champlsin canals, the COM
hh'ss,oners of this fund have been enabled, from its
surplus revenue, 10 discharge S3Si,6I5 of the CO.
,ai deet, by paying a loan that became due, and
W purchasing and eNtir gushing a part of IN.
s'oc6oi loans that arc not yet reiInbursable; and;hey
have no" on ~deposi,e, aud invested in other stocks
%oSJ,9S2- The revenue OF the last year has been
sufficient TO deiray the expenses of keeping the
CAnNtl N 4. pnnA nnaA,.,1-. l.
the canal debt and the salaries Of the officers and
agents employed on them; and TO yield a surplus
OF SilS,O 5o; i there is most abundant reason TO an
ticipatc alike favourable result for the present year
IL was reasonable TO expect that the success.
winch has SO happily crowned our efforts in the
great work OF internal improvement, should lead TO
earnest solicitations ior its continuance. Several
Applications embracing that object, have conse-
quehuy oeen made 10 former legislatures, and will
oe renewed at the present session. The proprie-
~ Of recommending them TO your support. ha.
ocen suggested to me, particularly by the friends
OF the Stale Road, and the Chemung and Chenan.
20 canals Objects which have already occupied
thc attention oil the legislature, aud excited a deer
interest In the public mind. The applicants for The
Cicnango csnai, have transmitted TO me a report
ironi Mr. right, az engineer of great celebrity
and acknowledged capacity. This report (Which
WI! doubtless be laid before youN is founded upon
Il review o. The surveys, Charts and estimates OF
otaer engineers. aided bya personal examination
OF the route OF the canal, aud throws new and
:eTy encouraging light upon that subject. But
ne7u'uie as 1 am OF that full and precise informa-
doh, "1iIcl alone would justify me in forming an
opinion on particular applications, my duty, in the
!'sht IN which iregard it, will be better discharged
oy subIn!ttiu@to you a general view of the con
siderations which ought 20 influence our delibera
ions.
IN relation TO the policy of applying such por-
tons oil che ineans Of the state (including a ;,di-
cious use oil ITS credit) as can be spared from other
necessary OBJECTS, to works OF internal inproyr-
ment, there Cannot, 1 think, be any serious diver
Sity "a opinion amongst us. Whatever ottemn,s
NAV he made TO divide us into parties unon dis
SUBJECT. II is nevertheless true, that so great is the
concurrence OF opinion thereon, is extreme
" iinprooahse that a single well Informed citizen
can he found, who is Justly obnoxious 10 the charg..
oil hostility 70 measures OF that character.
Differences o! opinion do, il is true. exist. a. IN
tie source from which. according to the true con-
struc'ioa OF the federal constitution, righttui au-
tiIofltY 70 prosecute works Of this descriptions, can A.
icae p"oceed-as TO the eSpediency Of that ai-
thority being vested in the federal or state on
verninents, asising from the supposed relative ca
pacities OF those governments 10 carry them ON
WIN advantage-and as 10 the practicabiiity and
e"peuiency oil particular schemes. 1t would
he strange, indeed, il diversities of sentiment, I'M
on these points were not TO be found. But their
existence in no degree initiates against the gene
raj position | have advanced.
observes to be considered how far the claims
now made in this respect, are fortified by the course
which has been heretofore pursued.
Inc Erie and Champlain Canals were underta-
kings oi the greatest magnitude, involving in their
commencement, a hazard, and in their completion,
a responsibility on the part Of the whole people of
TINS state, OF Unprecedented extent. Although The
advantages that have resulted from their conslruc-
toi are gradually %diiiusing themselves over almos
every part OF the state, i. must In candor he admit
ted. that all are not equally benefited ty the "a
cuiiieS they afford. These considerations are re.
ned upon, and not without reason, as i~uslifying a !
claim, chat the local advantages derivab!e from
such Improvements, should be e0usjized. as far
'oT'l' and as rapidly. as can be done, consistently
VIVA the localities and a proper regard 10 the abiii-
" OF me state. We must not, however, be I'M
mindful OF the imperative obligation resting UPON
us, to observe The utmost prudence and circr,m-
spection in orr Legislation upon this delicate and
vitality Interesting subject. The success OF this
STATE IN Tie commencement, prosecution and COM
pieiion OF her public works, has exercised an I'M
portant moral influence over The conduct of our SIS
ter states. II has encouraged, sad is still encon a.
ging, similar eff)rts throughout the Union; and il
Is reasonable to apprehend, that a failure here.
where so far, every effort he's been crowned with
success, would, in addition 10 our loss at home, he
productive OF serious injury 20 the cause Of Inter
nal Improvement throughout the Country. Whilst,
therefore,, we should not shrink from mourning ali
reasonable hazards for the benefit Of those of o
;eiioW-cidZenS more Immediately Interested no
consideration, however imposing, should lead US 10
commit the interest and character of The state TO
The promotion OF any undertaking, in the practical
bihty OF which there Is not the clearesl reason 10
%conIde, or which, when accomplished, would be
Of doubtful utility.
] cannot dismiss this subject without adyer,ioo
20 the advantages it will receive from the liberali.
~, moderation and unparalleled GOODNESS of your
discussions. The feelings which characterize
them, will be communicated 10 our constituents.
and a more cTeditable as well as n more auspicious
tate Of 1hiuUs Df01uced fhan hos b;tbo,te -.