Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1830-02-16
LEGISLATURE.
HOUSE OF DELEGATES.

HOUSE OF DELEGATES.
WEDNESDAY, Feb. 10
DEBATE on the Resolution 0f the Committee of FL
nance declaring IL erpeiient To reduce the toH ON
Tobacco tic LuiCer James River Canal.
Mr.. GARLAND OF Nelson, said, having offered the
resolution under consideration, he felt it due to
himself and to the House, that he should briefly
pose his views upon the propriety OF The reduction Of
the tolls collected tobacco, proposed by the
solution. He said, that he held it clear principle,
that the government should only collect tolls duties
for the Of public works, when those works af-
forded 10 the people using them facilities equivalent
TO the toll or duty cOlleced; and in case has the
government right to collect tolls duties public
works, where such facility il not afforded The Oman.
ing of roads and canals, Mr.. c.. said was always in
tended TO give facilities TO transportation, lessen the
dangers OF navigation and reduce the price of freight
for which equivalent toll duty, may be always
qured aud is of right denan liable. But, if scheme
of Improvement il undertaken but not completed so
to afford any OF the advantages intended TO be af-
fored by them, then Mr.. e. denied that tolls were OF
right demandable Mr. G. said, it would be a. Just
TO demand toll Tor navigating the natural channel OF
navigable river, upon which not had been ex
pended for improvements 20 demand tells for the use
OF work which is Of use or benefit TO those who
use H. particularly those who 10 net use il from choice
but from necessity.
Mr. e. said, that the Legislature had acted upon
which was antamount 10 declaration Of this princ-
pie, in the session of 1920, when the Legislature
having undertaken the disastrous scheme Of the James
River Canal, declared that The tolls then received on
produce passing the Canal from w esham TO the city
Of Richmond should not be ipcre ased until the whole
improvement, then undertaken, should be completed
and then not beyond two.hrs of he savings in the
costs OF transport ION This was correct principle
and one upon which he conceived every succeeding
Legislature bound in good faith to act; and if the
scheme had been prose cuttd TO successful result
would have been heard 10 complain of the increase
the duty now so much and so justly complained of.
Mr. G. said. that after the expenditure of much
time and money, the prosecution oil the James River
Canal was disconnGei, AMI the work stopped at Mai
E,iI.
from this city, where il commenced and for the navi-
CATION OF this miserable little duck pond was the duty
raised to IFS present amount by enactment OF the
Legislature in the session of lS2i-5
Mr. G. said, the act OF 1890 was solemn pledge
on the part OF the Legislature that the prosecution Of
the James River Scheme which it had unde rtaken
should operate prejudice TO those who naviga that
river, ihat nc additional duties should b. atd upon
their produce until corresponding benefit should ac-
crue 10 them, but that they hosd remain in statu quo
until The whole scheme was completed; this pic Jge
this pgh'ed faith Of the law giving power OF The STATE
iuled the James river peope into security and secur
ed their aid in elf citing the purpose of Improvement
contemplated by The state-snd Mr.. G. asked, was not
the state bound 10 redeem their pledge. Was she not
bound to execute her promise in good faith! Is there
any thlng more necessary to the neral ST eneth Of
government and 10 the preservation OF confidence :,
than the redemption of her pl-dge,?-Mr G.. said
this pledge which he considered every succe ed
ing legislature 10 that OF 1920 bound keep; and TO
bring the truth Of this position home to ourselves how
:
ject OF legislation, 1t was necessary pledge the faith
OF the State, il our felt themselves at liberty
to disregard and even to violate pledgeand if such
be the rule OF action, Woo would have confidence p
rough to accept our pledges and TO act upon the faith
Of their Observance?
Mr. G. said, that the duty collected on tobacco pas
sing through the old Canal had been required for be
tween t'l'ty and forty years ample equivalent
Tor the advantages afforded by it, and amply suf-
tcent unless il be shewn that additional adv an
tages have been afforded by the new. Mr. G.. said.
that the Legislature in the session of 1925 raised the
duty on tobacco, passing The cIna TO its present price
and unless it can he shewn that The canal has afforded
corresponding facilities in the safety and diton Of
navigation and the reduction of freight the act must
be REGARDED by every rejecting man, az not only un.
jus upon principle but direct violation of the faith
oil TIE state IN the pledge given by the act of 1919 20
Mr.. G.. said. that The Canal had not ONLY not f..
forded advantage to the navgaors Of James river a.
boye the head Of the canal, by additional safety and
expo dOn but the fact H. the dangers and the DELAYS
OF navigation ncreasfd-- This declaration Mr. G.
said might appear incredulous TO some but il was ne
Tefiheess true, every no navgated the river
would testify The eddy water d, the dam was dom
gerous IN high winds, and had several times az MIR
u. said he was informed. caused loads TO be ducked
The kind Of vessel il used on the canal as on th
river where The cargo is brought from above the
canal-no additional loading be taken on and The
same Number OF hands are necessary in navigating a
bateau-added TO this il requires on an aversge one
Gay longer to make trip down and up the river fom
Tie upper country than formerly, which increased the
quart ~ 81 prOvislOn AMI moreover, the canal fire..
quenuy bredks, which detains batteaux and their
bands Tor several days at gsea loas Of time and mo-
ney Mr. g. ssd the price of tfei sh had no been i'm
the slightest degree diminished Tar as the canal was
concerned; tie difference il owing 10 other can es
VIII CHI need ne be de'aed-If be true then that the
new canal a. given facility or advantage whatever
to the navigation Of James RIVER, justification for
the increased duty must be sought for from zone other
source,
MIR g. said, the justification which has been plead
ior's act Of injustice and oppression, that the splen
on scheme Tor the Improvement Of Jimes river had
been gotten upby the James river people and for their
peculiar bentht. Mr.. g. said this was not true:
hat The scheme was slfictlya state scheme-tba il was
advocated east and west north and south was intended
10 bring the trade Of other states into our state and
from the profits Of the works 10 fill he STATE
individual was u be concerned in the matter IL wa
strictly national prof CT and for national bene6t II
proof be required Mr.. CT said he would refer the
house 10 the fsc that 80 foil was the legislature nj
1919 20-oi The scheme odd The great profit 10 he de-
rived from it, that it purchased ont the old James river
company stock, aud gave them cortnued interest OF
about 10 Ioy cent The exact he does not now re-
collect Ibis proves that the project wss general and
th"t The p'oht, wich expected tobe immense was
to goio he STATE. Mr. g. said no one can understand
ne cause which led 10 hot SOLAR may be Judged ON
the result, will and visionary scheme. The recent
sueces'iu Effort Of the state II New York jntox.
icaed our ttaiesmen and psopleroads and canals
Heated IN hry phanioms before their saneuins ipsgi
nalionf; law 10 opPu canal ~ he way on he bsnk
Of The river was only 70 be passed 10 he executel thew
c"c"a'edonly The advantage and profits Of The scheme