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

caiars. but il also contains spprspvi,.
tons for surveys 81 seca! character.
which I cannot approve. Ii gives the
satisfaction TO find that ne serious ia :
convenience has arisen from withhold
ing my approval from this bill: nor
will Il. trust, be cause Of regret that
an opportunity Gill be thereby afford
ed for Congress TO review its proyi.
si"ns under circsmsfances better cal
calated for full investigation than those
under which IL was passed.
In speaking of direct appropriations,
j mean not 10 include 4 przy tice Nhich
has obtained to some extent, aud Ia
which have. in one instance, in u dit.
fcrent capacity, given my asseut-ihat
Of subscribing to the stock Of private
associations. Positive experience, and
a more thorough consideration Of the
subject. have convinced me Of the i'm.
propriety as we'll as inex pe,liency Of
such investments. All improvements
effected by the funds Of the nation, for
general use, should be open to the en-
j"ymeot of all our fellow citizens, ex.
empt from the payment of tolls. or any
imposition Of that character. The prac-
tee Ut thus mhnsling the concerns oi
the Government with those of the States
err OF individuals, is Inconsistent " ith
the object of its Institution, and highl y
impolitlc. The successful operation
at the federal system can only be pre-
served by combining il TO the few and
SIMPLE. but yet important objects Tor
which Il was designed.
different practice, If allowed to pro
gress, would ultimately change the char.
acter OF t!iis Government, by con solid TIM
into one the General and State Govern.
tscnts. which were intended TO be kept
forever distinct. I cannot perceive how
bills authorizing such subscriptions can
be otherwise regarded than AS bills FOR
revenue. and consequently subject 10 the
rule IN that respect prescr ib-d by the Con
siuuhon IL the interest Of the Go, ssn
nent IN private companies is subordin
ate 10 that VI indiy iduals, the management
and control Of a portion Of the public funds
- delegated 90 an authority unknown 10
The Constitution, and beyond the super
VISION II eur Constituents; if superior. MS
officers and agents will be constantly ex.
posed TO imputaiions OF IA. orit,sm and
oppression. Direct prejudice to the pub
nc interest. or an alienation Of the afcc-
lions and respect Of portions of the PEG
pie. may. therefore. ia addition 20 the gen
erii discredit resulting TO the Government,
from embarking with its constituents In
pecuaiary speculaiions, be looked for
a. the probable fruit OF such asspcia-
hons u IS no answer to this objee ton 10
say that the extent Of consequences like
th-~e canhot be great FROM a limited and
small number ofinvestments: because ex-
per;ence in other matters teaches rs. and
we arc not az liberty TO disregard its ad.
monitions. that. unless an entire stop be
put TO them, IL will soon be impossible to
prevent their accumulation. until they are
spread over Tho whole country. and made
10 embrace many OF the private and an
propriste concerns Of individuals.
The power which the General Govern.
ment would acquire within the severa,
states by becoming the principal stock.
holder IN corporations, controlling eve,v
canal and each sixty or hundred miles Of
every important road, and giving a pro
Pothonate vote in all their elections, is
almost uncomfortable, and, IN nv Wow.
dangerous 70 the liberties ofthe people.
FMS mode of aiding such works IS. rlso.
IN us nature. deceptive. aud in many case,
conducise TO appropriateness in the admin
i'tra'ion OF the national funds Appro
pr'aiions will be obtained with much
greater Facility. and granted with less Sc
eurHy 10 The public interest. when the
measure - tins disguised. than when def
nhe and direct expenditures Of money
are asked Tor. The isteresis OF the ma
uon would doubtless he better served by
avoiding all sach indirect modes Of aiding
particniar pbjects. IN q Government liz.
ours, mJrs especially, should ell public
acts be, as far az practicable simple. andis
guIsed. ,nd iniciligible. that they NAV be
come lat subjects Ior the spprobation or
abmad'ersipn Of the people Tn. bill
authorizing subscription TO the Louis
vile and Portland canal affords a striking
Illustration Of the difficulty Of withholding
additional appropriations for the same
object. when the first erroneou. stem IA.
been taken by iostiiuting a par,oer.hip
between the &evcTnment and priv.tc
companies 10 proposes third nrbscrip-
6on on the part fthe United States, .b.r
each preceding one WAS at The time re.
garded ss the exieat Of the aid which ca
vernment vas 60 render 20 that wosk and
she accompanying bill for light houses
&c. contains an appropriation for q survey
of tho bed OF the river. with a view to -.
improvement. by removing the obstruc ton
wlreb the canal is designed 10 avoid -
Ln~ Improvement. IL suceessfuI, would
s"'rd tree passage 60 the river, and
render the canal entirely useless To
SUCH appropriateness Is the eouvse Of legi..
Iahon subject, IN relation TO internal i'm
P'oVemsn's on local matters. even With
TOE pest intentions on the part Of Con.
gress.
Although the nps,ives which bsv. 10.
hseSced me 81 this matter msy be already
suise.eniIy stated. | am nevertheless "a
dnced by iis importance 20 add few ab.
se'VaiiOns Of = general character
IN my objections to the bills sutho,;x
fnE eFskar r,ufs~.a T. A.