Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1830-12-09

opinions may accord with their own I trust, 10 ne
mean time, the interests oil the nation will be saw
ton OF the public fuuds which mig hi otherwise be
piled TO did rent ohecs, to that highest Of all our obi
cations. the raymen, OF the public dstt aud oppor
unity be Afforded Tor the adoption Of better rule
tor tn operations of the Government IN thi, matter
than any which has hitherto been acted upon.
Profoundly impressed with the importance OF the
su icct, not merely as II rees TO the general proper
~ OF the country hut to the safety If the federal
tom, capn't avoid repeating my earnest hope that all
COOL citizens. who take proper iasrss in the eucees.
AMI OF our admirable political ins itution and
who incapable cf desiring TO convert opposite
stats OF things mo meass tor the qualification OF
sona ambition will, laying aside minor consid ATOMS
and dscardng local ejuces. unite their honest
tious to establish some liked general iat pis, which
shall be calculated to effect the greatest extent of pun
lie good n regard TO 'he sab-ct OF internal improve
meut, aud aHjrd the least ground for sectional dscon
tent.
The general ground OF my jsc ion local apptopri
a'ions ha' been heretofore expressed; aud l shah
endeavor to avoid repetition of WIN has been already
nrged-.he importance of Ell tanning the State sover.
eisnss a. far a. is con isnt with the rshtful ion
OF the FEDERAL Governnen., and OF preserving the
creates, attanabe harmony between them. will now
OILY sdi an expression OF my convc,ion-a conviction
which every days experience TO co1Erm that
the political creed which inculcaes he pursui, OF
those great offsets as paramount duty,i the ru- f h.
AMI ons to which we ,inly Indebted for q prs.-
ent success OF the entire sysem. and to which must
alone look for its future stability.
That there tiveri,ies in the interests OF the iH
rent States, which this extensive confed r.cy
must be United. Those diverscs arising from s,I-
alton. climate, popui and pursuits, are doubtless
as II is natural they shoui be- grea ly BY
ssousies and that spirit OF rivalry, in.ep,rab from
neighbonng communities. These circumsiances make
II the duty OF those who entrusted with the m IN.
agemsn OF its affairs to neutrsze their effects a. far
practicable by making the beneficial operation ot the
Federal Government, as equal end equitable among
the several Saes AZ can be done con with the
great ends OF lite institution.
only cessary to refer 10 undorb.ed facts 10
how far the past acts OF the Government. upon the sub
ect under consideration, have fallen short Of hs Oh
ject The expenditures heretofore ,de for int rna
improvements, sni,uI. 90 upw ards Of FIVE usns o
dollars eud have been dtribued in very unequal pro
portions amongst the States The estimated expense of
works of which surveys have been made, together
with that OF OH pref c'el AMI psrly survsyed a.
mount 10 m're than hincty. SIX millions Of dollars.
mat such improvements, on account Of particular
e"cum stances, may b. more advantageous'y aud bene-
ally made In some States than in oihsrs is doub
trds bu: ihl they are OF character which should
prevent equitable distribution of the fund. auopys
he several Sa;es, Is not 10 BE- conceded The OF
this equitable distribution. canno, fail 10 prove folihc
source OF irritation amongst the STATES.
We have IL constantly before our eyes that nyofes-
sons OF superior zeal in the OF internal improve
men', and disposition to lavish tue public funds upon
Objects oil tina! character are daily and earnestly pu,
orih by asprAnts 10 powsr constituting The highss
ciai rs 10 the ccn6i-nce of the people. Would i, be
strange, under such cScumances and in times Of great
excitement that grants OF Ills deserp ion should find
their no ives in objects which may cord VITA tn
public eood Those who have not had secession TO see
and reerst the indication o! sinister Influence in tn se
matters in pat ines have been for uuate than
ny'eH in their observation Of the OF public nj
fairs II TO these evils DO added tie omtHations and
angry contentious TO which such course Of things
gives rise, with their baeiul iouences upon the rgis.
la'ion OF Congress, touching the leading ID apprasri.e
duties OF the Federal Government 1t was but doing ius-
ce TO ths character Of people, 10 expect the severe
condemnation OF the past which the recent exhibition
OF rublic sentiment has evirced.
Nothing short of radical change in the action of tbe
Government upon the subject, in my opinion RENE
dy the evil. IT, as it would be natural TO expect the
hlchh hat hoo laaet
tons should insist being redressed in those hereafter
To be made at the expense of the States which have so
largely and dsproportionaely participated have,
matters now stand, but little security that the attempt
would do more than change the inequality from one
quarter TO another.
Thus viewing the subject have heretofore felt IL NV
duty to recommend the adoption of some nlan for the
distribution oil the surplus funds which NAV al any time
remain in the treasury after the national debt shall have
been paid among the States, in proportion to the number
OF their representatives., to be applied by them to objects
of internal Improvement.
Although this plan has met with favor in some por-
tons OF the Union has also elected objections which
merit deliberate consideration. brief notice of these
objections here will not therefore, trust be regarded
as out of place.
They rest, far they have come to nv knowledge
on the following grounds: l objection 10 the ratio
OF distributions I'd an apprehension that the existence
of such regulation would produce mproydent and on
pressvc taxation TO raise the funds for distrbuon. Ri
mat the mode proposed would lead to the construction
oil works OF local nature, 10 the exclusion of such az
are general, and would consequently be of a more
S"d'C'er' anu, IaSt, that IL would create discre-
ditable and injurious dependence on the part of te
State Go'ernments, upon the federal power OF those
who object to the ratio of representation as the basis M
distribution, some insist that the mportaions of the
respective States would constitute one that would be
more equitable; and others, again. that the extent of
their respective territories would furnish a standard
which would be more expedien and sufficiently eaui-
table The ratio OF representation ned itself TO
mind, and II still does of obvious equity because
oil ITS being the ratio OF contributions whether the funds
70 be distributed be derived from the customs or from
IOngn mt fol
dopton Is indispensable to the establishment of the
tenn proposed. There may be considerations amer
tanning to the subject which would render departure.
so some extent, from the rule OF contribution proper
or IS absolutely necessary that the basis of dstrib
ton be confined TO one ground. II nav it, i'm the
judgment of those whose right il is TO fix H. II he
ed polite and JUS 10 give that character have regard
TO several. e
In my first message, stated il to be nv opnion fla
sit is not probable that any adjustment of the tariff
principles satisfactory TO the people OF the Union would
unui a remote pero1, ii ever leave the Government
without considerable surplus in the treasury be yond
what may be required for its current service have
had no cause 10 change that opinion but much To con-
hrn IT. Should these expectations be realized a suita.
bic sum would thus be produced for the plan under con-
sheraton to operate upon; and if there be no such fund
us addition WILL In my opiHon, work no injury TO anv
interest Tor cannot assent TO the business of the an.
prehension that the establishment of the PROMISED sJs
teh would tend to the encouragement OF inproylent
legislation OF The character supposed. Whatever the
proper authority the exercise of constitutional no,ver
sha AZ any time, hereafter, decide 10 be for the gene
raj good, VIII, that as in other respects deserve and
receive the acquiescencc and support of the Who'll,
c0unry and we make ample security that every abuse
OF power IN that regard, by the agents Of the peono
WIZ receive speedy and eIectua corrective AZ Their
hands The views which take of the future found
ed on the obvious and increasing improveneni of an
IL,