Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1829-01-09
Debate or the kenopha Turnpike.
IN TIE HOUSE OF DELEGATES,
WEDNESDAY. Dec. al 1907

sion otthe kenawha Turnpike was ON its third read
ing, had voted III the negative, moved for the
suspension of the 18th rule othe house. with view to
the reconsideration of the vote on that bill The fol-
lowing is the substance of the debate which ensued
MIR. MENNis said, that he had not the vanity to be-
neve that any thing he could say the subject be-
tore the house. would influence the opinions or change
the vote OF single member of that body in relation
to the question before it. He would nevertheless
gives hls views freely the subject, which he reear-
ded as presenting of the most important matfcrs
for Legislation winch had been contemplated to he IT,
ted on during the present session.
lie presumed that every one who had attended tc
tAe subject would remember that the scheme of the
Aenawha turnpike road was, that it should pass over
from the James to the Kenawha river and that it was
expected to he the great portage and thorouchfre for
the productions and travelling from the western to
the eastern sections OF the State and to market and
particularly to Richmond. If had failed in some re-
spccts to meet these expectations of tho public it had
still answered most important and useful purpose
it had furnished sale and convenient route through
te wilderness OF the west to the interior of Viroinja
the number oftravelcrs was great and daily increas
ing, and 1t had Ill consequence, already become pro-
ductive stock.
So important to the interests of every portion NJ
HE country through which it passes well to those
sccfIpns of he state with which it is connected,
me present improved state of the knowledge O
ndHihS roads, the part proposed to be extended can
DC accomplished at Il much smaller expence than was
required for the first section of the route II Inns been
oelectedto the proposed plan Of extending the road
mat the actual expenses of construction always ex-
q
oecn the case IL many instances; but in the present
cse, there seems to be every reason to believe that
the sum OF fifty thousand dollars will be sufficient 10
meet AL the eXpences IN the completion of the work.
rms inference was drawn from the knowledge he had
OF IL similar enterprise which had been for some time,
IN progress III his own neighborhoed In the COM
mencenent of that undertaking., contracts were uni
tormly made at the rate of five thousand dollars mr.
mile. Inc last ten miles of this road passing over
grounds by no means more favorable for its execu-
}ion' than those TOR which five Thousand dollars mile
mad been paid had been contracted for and executed
at the rate OF two thousand dollars per mile.
1t Is not expected that the actual cost of the con-
tchplated road viii exceed the proposed sum of filv
Thousand dollars but probably fall somewhat short of
u. Ar. MESN1s had in his possession letter from
the principal Engineer of the State, from which it
Would appear, that that gentleman believed the above
estimate, to be fair Will you give this rentIe-
man credit for his intelligence, on matters of this
hoture: Ihough perhaps the House ought not TO
yield their assent TO any opinions this subject I'M
Nss good reasons were assigned for them. He would
ask, 1t was III order that the letter should be read
by the clerk, and the House must Judge for them
selves OF its claims to credilility.
IL had beed said, that, the proposed project was
not one OF general Importance Should not that
work, which would diffse its benefits from the Dor
ders of Kentucky, to the city of Richmond be consd
Crcu as one OF general utility and Importance to the
state In dliItslng its advantages, perhaps more will
TALL to the share of the city of Richmond and the
country adjacent thereto, than to Kenawha and It's
n2ghbouring districts. The increase in the value of
property, which would result from the completion of
this work, adds to the Inducements for the reflection
OF the ccuitry near to, ana especially, the city of
richmond 1t 1t Is desired, that this city should rival
New ork, IN extent and prosperity and be the orrcat
emporium of the commerce of the west as we'll ~
that of the east it only be effected by oDcuinp
these great channels Of communication with the
distant portions OF the State. In advancing the
wealth ana increase OF the city of Richmond will it
not also promote that OF all the surrounding courtryo
Another objection which has been made to grant
the and solicited from the commonwealth is that, the
people Of this section OF the State are always ASKING
and WHY is this Is not because deaf car has been
so constantly turned 10 their petitions, 1t is ONLY by
importantly, that they hope to obtain the assis-
lance, their strong necessities demand IF they
have become sturdy beggars, it is becausthev have,
been continually refused the boon they craved-and
they ask with bad grace, because they are paupers
you would have them to remain so, deny the trifng
grant they ask treasury refuse this grant, and
you decree their country desert forever. But give
them tie means OF becoming rich, and they will be-
oome so. Give them access to market for he bulky
productions OF their country and they will cease to
be paupers, and cease to be mportunate and in be-
coming wealthy, their prosperity will be rejected
back upon Yourselves.
Here the clerk read the letter Of the principal En-
GincGr witch supported the correctness of the esti-
mates made by Mr. Menus in the course of the ar
gunent.
AIr. Minor had supposed that this bill was dead
and buried and the House had COTTON rid of forever
put like Banquos ghost, 1t had risen again, pushing us
from our stools and business He trusted that the
vote OF this House, would once more lay it, where it
would remain to the end Of time.
Mr. Minor said he was entirely opposed to the mo-
uon before the House he could not consent to chanre
the great principles upon which the fund of internal
Improvement was founded, the policy of which was,
that where parties wanted it's assistance they must
first help themselves. II had, he believed never been
departed FROM except in the case of the James River
Company, and it scarcely necessary for him to in
form the House, that this departure had resulted in
reducing that fund almost to bankruptcy There was
maxim in matters of business better worthy of ac-
ceptatlon than ts, that when individuals want bene
fits they mast work for them. Tie assistance of this
nd shold only be applied to those who give prac
teal illustration Of this rule where the interest of the
State and that Of the individual would be identified
The only induccmcnt which he could have to grant
the aid which had been called for from this fund,
wound be Tho Drospeci of lis anrdlnm Il nrn6tahln 70.