Virginia free press & farmers' repository. [volume] (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1827-1832, 1830-12-15

far ss practicable. By making the beuefi-
cial operation Of the Federal Government
as equal and equitable among the several
States Ne can be done consistently with
the great ends Of its Institution.
u 20 only nee essary TO refer 20 uudoubt-
ell facts. 10 see how far the past acts Of
the Government upon the subject under
confederation have fallen short Of this
object The expenditures heretofore made
for internal improvements amount 90 up
wards Of five millions Of dollars. and have
been distributed t~ very unequal proper
tons amongst the States The estimated
expense Of works of which surveys have
been made. together with that Of others
projected and partially surveyed, smount
to more than ninety s,x millions Of dollars.
That such improvements. on account oi
particular circumstances. may be more
advantageously and bene6cially made in
some States thaa IN others. 10 doubtless
true but that they ere OF character
shirh should prevent m equitable distri-
button OF the funds amongst tho several
States, 10 not TO be conceded. The want
OF this equitable distribution cannot fail to
prove prolific source ofirritaiion amongst
the States
We have IL constantly before our eyes.
that professions Of superior zeal IN the
cause OF internal improvement, and n
disposition 70 lavish the public funds upon
objects or that character. arc daily and
earnestly put forth by aspiranis TO power.
As constituting tho highest claims 10 the
confidence Of The people. Would IL be
strange, under such circumstances, and
IN times Of great excitement, that grants
OF this description should find their mo
iives IN objects which may not accord
with the public good? Those who have
not had occasion 20 see and regret the in
dication OF a sinister influence in these
matters in past times, have been more
fortunate than myself IN their observation
ofthe course OF public affairs. If TO these
evils be added the combinations and angry
contentionsfo which such course Of thing.
gives rise. with their balcful influences
upon the legislation of Congress touching
the leading and appropriate duties Of the
Federal Government. IL was but doing
justice tn the character of our people Ia
expect the severe condemnation OF the
past which the recent exhibition Of public
sentiment has evineed
Nothing short Of radical change in
The action Of the Government upon the
subject can. in my opinion. remedy the
evil. IL as IL would be natural TO eYpect
the States which have been least favored
IN past appropriations should insist on be
ing redressed in those hereafter to be
made. at the expense Of the States which
have SO largely and disproportiena al civ
participated. ne have, as matters now
stand, but little security that the at,emn,
would do more than change the inequali.
" from one quarter 10 another.
Thus viewing the subject, I have hereto
fore felt u NV duty TO recommend the sdop
ton OF some plan for the distribution Of the
surplus funds which may a. any time remain
IN the treasury after the national debt shall
nave been paid, among the States, in proper
ton to the number OF their representatives.,
to be applied by them to objects Of internal
improvement
Although this plan has met with favor il
some portions of the Union, il has also enlist,
ed objections which merit deliberate consid.
Grafton. A brief notice Of these objections
mere wiii not. therefore, trust, be regarded
a. out Of place.
They rest. as far rs they have come 20 NV
knowledge, on the following grounds, Ist.
an objection to the ratio Of distribution: ID.
an apprehension that the existence Of such !
regulation would produce improvident and
oppressive taxation To raise the funds for dis.
uioution; I'd, that the mode proposed " ould
ieao 70 Tue construction OF works of local
nature, to The exclusion Of such as are gene.
rai' and As would consequently be of more
useiui character; and. last. that IL would ere.
ave d'scredtable and injurious Dope ndencr.
on the part OF the State Governments. unon
tne Ienerai power. OF those who object TO
'ne ra'io ct representation rs the basis Of dis
thoufion. some insist that the importa,ions of
fafA
ina. would be more equitable; ard Others
again. that the extent of their resn-c,,v. ,s,'
t"or'es would furnish . standard which would
De more expedent. and sufficiently equitable.
Tue fauo 81 representation presented Itself
to my mind. and IL still does. as one of ohv;.
Gus equity. because of its being the rs,;o M
contribution. whether the funds to be di,,r;.
nu'ed be derived from the custom. or from
direct taxation. u does not follow, however.
tnat us adoption Is indispensable 20 the esta.
ohshment Of ,he system proposed. There
may be considerations sppertaining TO the
suoJec' winch would render departure, to
SOME exten'' from the rule of contribution,
proper Nor - st absolutely necessary ,hs,
the basis Of distribution be confined ~ On.
ground u may. IL. in the judgmen, of ths.e
whose right it is TO Ak IL, Il be deemed noI,.
"e and Just TO give Il that character. have re.
gard TO several.
Ia my FIRST message. ! stated II 90 be nv o.
p'n'on that "n is not probable that any adj
mt o' the tariff upon principles satisEac
'oIy 70 the people Of the Union, will, until
remote period, " ever, leave the Covr,nm-r,
without considerable surplus in The. ,rra.u,x
beyond what may be required for i,s cuTren,
sers,ee." have had no cauSe TO change tbs,
OPINION but much TO confirm il Should ,he.r
expectations be realized, . suitable f,,,,,
would thus be produced for the plan undcr
confederation tn operate upon, add n ,h~,e
DC no such fund, iis adoption will, IN ms on,.
nion' work 40 injury TO any interest. for
cannot assent 20 the business Of the sppseben.
sen mat the establishment or the pronosed
sy"em would tend TO the eneoursgeupen Of
'mpro''den, legislation of the character sun'
P"sed' Whs'tyer The proper authori,v. N
the exercise of constitutional no,..s Il =.