Virginia advocate. [volume] (Charlottesville, Va.) 1827-1860, 1830-12-10

tor such objects, should not have withheld
my assent. The one now returned does so
in several particulars, but it also contains
appropriations for surveys Of n local charac-
ter. which | cannot approve. 1t gives mo
satisfaction to find that no serious inconve-
nience has arisen from withholding my APP
prevail from this bill [; nor will il, | trust, DO
cause of regret that an opportunity will be
thereby afforded for Congress to review its
provisions under circumstances better cal.
culated for full investiga alton than those un.
der which it was passed.
In speaking of direct appropriations,
mean not to include n practice which has
obtained to some extent, and to which
have, IN ono instance, in a different capacity,
given my asseDt-that of subscribing TO
the stock OF private associations. Positive
experience, and a more thorough consider
alton OF the subject, have convinced mo of
the improperly as we'll as inexpediency of
such investments. All Improvements effect.
cd by the funds of tho cation for general use
should be open to the enjoyment of all our
fei!ow-citIzens, exempt from payment of
tolls, or any imposition of that character.
The practice of thus mingling the concern,
OF the Government with those of tho States
oil OF individuals, is inconsistent with the
object OF its institution, and highly impolitic.
The successful operation of the federal sys-
TEN, can only be preserved by combining it
to tho few aud simple, but important objects
Tor which it was designed
different practice, if allowed to progress
would ultImatly change the character of
this Government, by consolidating into one
the general and State Governments, which
were Intended 80 be kept forever distinct.
cannot perceive how bills authorizing such
subscritions can be otherwise regarded than
as bulls OF the revenue, and consequently
subject to rules in that respect prescribed by
the Constitution. If the interest of the
government IN private companies is subor-
dinate to that of indi viduals, the manage
ment and control of portion of the public
funds Is delegated to an authority unknown
TO the Constitution, and beyond the super.
vision OF our constituents: if superior, its
officers and agents will be constantly exposed
to Imputations of tavoritism and oppression
Direct prejudice to the public interest, or
an alienation of the affections and respect
of portions of the people, may, therefore, in
addition to the general dscredit resulting to
the Government from embarking with its
constituents I'm pecunIary speculations, be
looked for as the probable fruit of such as
sociations. IL is no answer to this objection
TO say that the extent of consequences like
these cannot be great from a limited and
small number of investments, because ex-
perience IN other matters teaches us, and
we arc not at liberty to disregard its admo-
nitions, that, unless an entire stop be put to
them, It will soon be impossible TO prevent
their accumulation, until they are spread
over the whole country, and made to EN-
brace many of the private and appropriate
concerns of individuals.
The power which the General Govern
meDt woull acquire within the several
States by becoming the principal stockhold.
or In corporations, controlling every canal and
each sixty or hundred miles Of every impor-
tant road, and giving a proportionate vote
I'm all their elections, is almost inconcevable
and, In my view, dangerous to the liberties
of the people.
This mode of aiding such works is, also,
In It's nature, deceptive, and in many cases
conducive to lmDrovidence in the admins
tration of the national funds. Appropria-
tlons Will be obtained with much greater
facility, and granted with much less security
TO the pu3lic Interes., when the measures
Is thus d. ksed, than when definite and d.
rect expenditures of money are asked for
The interests of the nation would doubtless
be better served by avoiding all such indi-
rect modes OF aiding particular objects. In
government like ours, more especially
should all public acts be, as far as practical
Die, simple, undlsgused, and ineligible,
that they may become fit subjects for the
appreciation or animadverson of the people
The bill authorizing subscription to the
Louisville and Portland canal affords a stri.
king illustration of the difficulty of withhold
ing additional appropriations for the same
object, when the first erroneous step has
been taken by instituting n partnership be-
tween the Government and private compa.
mes. IL proposes third subscription on the
part OF the United States, when each piece
ding one was at the time regarded as the ex.
q m ~ fIo, oh
render TO that work and the accompanying
bill for lighthouses, &c, contains an ap
Piopriation for survey of the bed of the
river, with view of its improvement, b,
removing the obstruction which the canal j:
designed to avoid. This Improvement, il
successful, would afford free passage to The
river, and render the canal entirely useless
To such improvdence is the course of Iegis
lation subject in relation 10 internal improve
ments on local matters, even with the bes
intentions on the part ofCongress.
Although the motives which have influen
ced me in this matter may be already suf
ficiently stated am, ne, crtheless, induced
by - importance to add few observations o
a general char acter
In my objections to the bills authorizing
subscriptions to the Maysville and ROCKWELL,
Road Companies i expressed my view
fully IN regard to the power of Congress Z,
construct roads and canals within State
or to apply money for improvements of
local character. !, at the same time, intim
| ated my belief that the right to make ap
preparations for such as were of natiopa
character had been so generally acted upon
and so long acquiesced in by the Federal an,
State Governments, and the constituents o
each, as to justify its exercise on the groun,
of continued and uninterrupted usage; bu
that it was, nevertheless, highly expedien
that appropriations, even of that character
should, with the exception made at the time
be deferred until the national debt is paid
and that, in the mean while, some genera
rule for the action of the Government in tina
| respect ought to be established.
These suggestions were not necessary t.
the decision Of the question then before me
and were, readily admit, intended to ava
ken the attention, and draw forth the opin
| ions and observations, of our constituents
upon subject Of the highest importance t
their interests, and one destined to exert
/ l,,1 ia. 4.