Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1830-10-26
from the Trenton Emporium
INTERNAL IMPROVEMENT IN NEW JERSEY.

| We avail ourselves Of period of comparative lei
sure, now chat the elections closed throw to-
gcther few remark a subject at all times inter-
esting, and which the approach of legislative ses-
sion renders especially appropriate.
Why the excitement, and whence tbs ealnusies,
heretofore produced by the bare mention of Canal
or Rail Road? Are they necessarily incident TO The
topic, or do they spring from causes which NAV in
great measure be obvated, if not entirely removed,
Their chief source, apprehend has been in the
geographical position Of the State relatively with the
improvements which from time to time have claimed
public attention Local dsseDsions thus produced
have been increased and complicated by honest differ
of opinion whether canals or rail roads are pre-
ferable forms of improvement, and whether they
should be executed at the expense of the government
or left as the subjects of private enterprise. This
latter question we regard settled by the proceed
rgs OF the last two Legislatures, which, in refusiur
to execute at public COST the Delaware and Rnritan
Canal. in chartering company for that purpose and
IN reservlng to the State an option subscribe one
fourth of the stock, have announced, perhaps wise
determination not 10 involve the Stale in uplifn cd
expenditure, and vet willingness TO sanction the
principle of improvement by embarking n reasonable
and limited portion of her fiinJe, in such works as
seem TO promise great public bcncGt and ADEQUATE
remuneration per cost.
The question between canals and rail roads is
equally well settled in tie minds Of those who op-
proach the subject divested of prejudice, and who
reason from facts as they daily eveloped by the
experience of this country and of Europe Truth
les mit- way between the conteDdinp pariizans
Both arc very valuable-we may add indispensable
improvements; and each has It's appropriate sphere
of utility dependant geoerapb ca position the
nature OF the country raversed, and the character oil
the transportation for which it is designed so that
the advocate of either under all circumstances il
sure to DE wrong willie he only is likely to be rirht
who reserves his decision till every circumstance con-
necfed with particular project has been carefully
weighed
These questions being setled--to our satisfaction
at least we have been tempted to inquire. whetl'
me Legislature may not regulate its policy in re
gard to Charters 10 Introduce system Of general
acecommodati6D,--whch shall give the whole State
such improvements required. shall exclude all
sectional or individual monopoly, and thus produce
harmony Of sentiment, where hitherto we have wit
messed nothing but division. The result of the sur
yeys made during the last summer seems especially
TO favor such an idea. The route of the Delaware
am tanian Canal has proved quite as favorable az
us TRENDS anticipated and there remains no doubt of
me SPECIFY execution of great NATIONAL work I,
ms Deeh ascetdned moreover, that the line of that
lamar presents ths most favourable route for Rail
ROAD TO connect the Philadelphia and New York
eamooaIs--consdered with reference to distance
IacIty o. construction, and to cheapness rapdtv
OF travlng 50 TINT the transportation of passengers
ohh lIght goods between the cities, it must have
uecloed preference every other that can be sup
gested 1t the straigbt Canal route be adopted the
iSalIToao may occupy offs banks for the whole
os'ahce'snd may be formed and eyeled by sha sim