Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1830-05-28


IL would be the meres arrogance TO assume in-
alhbiy Tor my opinions. can no just line of
To the tariff OF 1925 but cannot see in justice, in
son, in conscience why the people whom represent
as they bear their share of its burdens should have
their share OF its profits DO not see the line between
submission the majority, aud what tends to tisso-
ton of the Government.
\ disposition has been manifested i'm this discusi H.
TO waive the question of consutionalty, and res,
the claims OF this bill upon grounds of expediency.
Such has been the pursued by my intelligent
and eloquent colleague (Mr. p. =. Barbour)
And here, sir, before meet my colleague upon this
ground, request to lie INDUCED in few brief renec-
tons upon the policy OF conding the General Gov
ernment the power 10 construct works of national inn
provcment.
Although cannot, as have already said see in the
language of the Constitution any satisfactory authority
Tor the exercise of this power, yet unable dis
cover any good why this power, under well-de
lined limitations should not be conlded to it, The
power to make roads, canals, sc. has in it, as
ceivc, no dangerous tendency whatever. The proba-
biiity that such power would benefit the States is
thousand fold that of the probability that would inure
ITEM The danger consists in the retention of jrrisdic
ton over these works after they made in max
ing them. With this view of the subject, il is pre-
sent impression, that, ii sitting in conven-
ton for the purpose OF amending the Constitution,
would vote 10 confer this power, limiting il to the max
ing OF the work would do So present persuaded,
Tor another, and perhaps more powerful reason 1t
consists in this the States have, for obvious and impc
rous reasons surrendered TO the Governments and thus
nave surrendered the richest and by far the most
vcncnt and least oppressive, sources OF revenue.
should not therefore, think all unwisc cquire
me General inment, in times like the present, of
extraordinary prosperity, that fair proportion of the
means derived from these sources, should bc made
valuable to the States in Internal improvements, in
education, where the preference might be given TO that
object
The States being dependent for their means upon i
rect taxation never effect great improvements, but
by producing uneasiness amongst their citizens The
United States through their customh houses, collect
from the people millions, by aprocess, magical, that
the people will be wholly nscnsblc of having paid them
And thus II would seem that, as the of the
United States are much more ample than those OF the
individual States, the United States ought have the
power of employing them for the good OF the States.
Indirect taxation, as mode of raising revenue, is
preferable TO direct taXaon not only because al class
es oil citizens feel the operation of the former less
than the latter, but because, under the former mode
me rich citizens are sure 10 pay their just proportion of
the revenue They, having the ability TO do so, will
consume vastly more of those articles which bear heavy
duties than the poorer citizens
Under system of Indirect taxation, person may re
sort TO his prulence-to abstnence-for amcora-
Ton oil its burdens. He may, il he choose, abstain
wholly from the of wine, cognac, tea, and various
other articles, in which the rich will choose TO indulge,
without materially impairing his comforts, and thus
avoid subsection to large proportion Of indirect tax.
The proposition is generally true, that actual con-
sumption is measured by the ability consume; an as
the ability enlarged diminished actual consumption
is increased or diminished
MIR. Chairman, having made these remarks, will
now endeavor to answer some of the arguments used
by my colleague, (AIr p p Barbour) for the purpose
oil showing that il is ineXpedent To make the proposed
road. sorry that this gentleman, and that other
gentlemen, should of their opposition TO IT,
nave thought necessary TO undervaluc this road Sir
IL we were to give full credit to their arguments, we
could not resist the conclusion that if this road would
not be indeed, national evil it would be, at least
less The warmth OF the opposition, must think, has
carried gentlemen too far. The utility of this road is
not TO be seriously denied by whose situations cna-
bic them properly, TO estimate il.
The honorable gentleman from North Carolina mir
Carson) has advanced the opinion that il will be
ven an Indirect accommodation to the people of Ken
lucky. My situation enables to correct this msap-
prehension. live directly upon the track, along which
it is proposed to construct this read and do know that
many kentuckians do yearly use this track, and that
great quantities of stock taken aony il from that
State TO the interior OF Virginia aud sometimes Penn
sylvania.
My colleague, (Mr. BarbouO asked will this road be
OF any commercial advantage! Ii will run, said he
great part of its way, between the waters which flow
to the East and the waters which flow TO the West
crossing some OF them near their head springs, at right
angles: and almost in the breath said that if the
road ran parallel with any of these navigable waters il
would be still of less commercial importance, Sir, to
what does this argument amount, except this: that
although the road most judciousy located in refer
ence TO the interior navigation of the country yet, il is
wholly useless. Who can believe this? What country
was ever so situated not to feel the advantage of good
roads?
The gentleman here, as indeed throughout, seems to
to have been under the Influence of feelings excited by
the warmth Of his opposition.
The gentleman next minated :ha' The estimate Of
expense in thc bill was far too w. that the road would
more probably, cost ten or twelve millions OF dollars
tn two and quarter millions. Now in answer 10
this remark, have only say that, whilst it is unde-
nIabiy true hit ten or twelve millions will m Ike bet
ter road than two and quarter miion', il il equally
true, That two and quarter millions will make very
good road Again the expenditure Of two and quarter
millions this road will not insinuated lay Con.
gress under any obligation to expenh further up
on H. Bu' " The prosperous state of the Treasury here
aiier, combining with other circums ances, should
make it exped NJ, Congress may, in its dscr ton ap.
popnate additional funds to that object cannot
that Congress may not, cannot iorescc th1t IL will
he wrong to do so at some future time, say fifty years
hence choose, the whole line of this road
TO he M'Adamised.
The gentleman further said, hst the interest upon
the sum proposed to he expended upon this road il
more than the whole cot of Transporting the mail
throughout the whole of il. distance and then DIRE the
conclusion, that il inexpedisn make it, for the
accommodation OF the mail. This argument. though
me conclusion may be just il certainly, quite fair.
II the accommodation Of The mail were the sole object
Of its construction, then the argument would br fair
BIT should not he forgotten, that this /. but one Of tho
three objects TO be effected nv making the road. In
addition 20 the Advantages which he derived from
the superior facilities in the OF the mail
which this road will sffrd, be con dered ~ g adj
vAnages which ii will afford 10 internal commerce. ard
q advantages S. i'll afford, military roai in time
ri war The aggregate Of advantiges resuliinz from
hese h'es sources constitutes the roasen NJ the com.
mittee for repo rg this bill We all know Of how much
importance ne depi'c Of the mail IL. At any tne bat
particularly in time NJ war The delay of dav may
cost city, and many lives The battle Of the S'h OF
January, 1873. at New Orlaans, fought, because
despatrhe', which their way, bad not reached
heir destination The value OF this roaI, in military
point OF view, admit il to he, chiefly, contingent II
may in his relation, be Incidentally valuable, or not
according IN circumstance.
abe