Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1830-12-15

eStiiiluteu eNpehsc vi WoihS vi WHICH o"' !
veys have been made, together with that
of others projected and partially survey
ed, amount to more than ninety-six mil
lions Of dollars.
That such improvements, on account
Of particular circumstances, may be
more advantageously and benefcially
made in some States than in others, is
doubtless true; but that they are Of a
character which should prevent an equit-
able distribution Of the funds amongst
the several States, is not to be conceded.
The want of this equitable distribu-
ton cannot fail to prove prolific source
of irritation amongst the States.
We have it constantly before our eyes,
that professions Of superior zeal in the
cause of internal improvement, and a
disposition to lavish the public funds up
Oh objects of that character, are daily
and earnestly put forth by aspirants to
power, as constituting the highest claims
to the confidence Of the people. Would
! it be strange, under such circumstances,
and in times Of great excitement, that
grants of this description should find
their motives in objects which may not
accord with the public good' Those
who have not had occasion to see and
regret the Indignation Of sinister in
fuence in these matters in past times,
have been moro fortunate than myself in
their observation of the course of public
affairs. Ito these evils be added the
combinations and angry contentious to
which such course Of things gives rise,
with their baleful influence upon the leg
islaton of Congress, touching the lead
ing and appropriate duties of the FEEDER
al Government, it was but doing justice
to the character of our people to expect
the severe condemnation of the past
which the recent exhibition Of public sem
iment has cvinced.
Nothing short of a radical change in
the action of the Government upon the
subject can, in my opinion, remedy the
evil. If, as it would be natural to ex-
pect, the States, which have been least
forward in past appropriations should in
sist on being redressed in those hereaf-
ter to be made at the expense of the
States which have SO largely and dispro-
portionately participated, we have, as
matters now stand, but little security
that the attempt would do more than
change the inequality from ono quarter
to another.
Thus viewing the subject, / have here
tofore felt it my duty to recommend the
adoption of some plan for the distribu-
ton of the surplus funds which may at
any time remain in the treasury after the
national debt shall have been paid, a
mong the States, in proportion to their
representatives, to be applied by them
to objects of internal improvement.
Although this plan has met with favor
in some portions of the Union, it has also
elected objections which merit deliberate
consideration. A brief notice Of these
objections here, will not, therefore, l
trust, be regarded as out Of place.
They rest, as far as they have come to
my knowledge, on the following grounds:
1 st, an objection to the ratio redistribution,
Cd. an apprehension that the existence
of regulation would produce improvi-
dent s. oppressive taxation to raise the
funds for distributions; Sd, that the mode
proposed would lead to the construction
of works of local nature, to the exclu-
sion of such as are general, and as would
consequently be of a more useful char
actcr; and, last, that it would create a
discreditable and injurious dependence
on the part of the State Governments,
upon the Federal power. OF those who
object to the ratio Of representation as
the basis Of distribution, some insist that
the importations of the respective States
would constitute one that would be more
equitable, and others, again, that the ex-
tent of their respective territories would
furnish standard which would be more
expedient, and sufficiently equitable.
The ratio Of representation presented it.
self to my mind, and it still does, as one
of obvious equity, because of its being
the ratio of contribution, whether the
funds to be distributed be derived from
the customs or from direct taxation. 1t
does not follow, however, that its adop-
ton is indispensable to the establishment
Of the system proposed. There may be
considerations appertaining to the subiec
which would render departure, to some
extent, from the rule of contribution,
proper. Nor is it absolutely necessary
that the basis of distribution be confined
to one ground. Ii may if in the judy
ment of those whose right it is to fix it, it
be deemed polite or just to give it that
character, have regard to several.
In my first message, | stated it to be my opir.
ion that "i, is not probable that any adjustment
Of the tariff upon principles satisfactory To the
people Of the Union, will, until a remote period,
If ever, leave the Government without consid
cradle surplus in the treasury, beyond what may
be required for its current service" | have