Lancaster gazette. [volume] (Lancaster, Mass.) 1828-1830, 1830-03-09

J BosToN AND LOWELL RAILROAD Act.
We copy the following from the Boston
Daily Advertiser with the single remark
that our legislature seem happily to illus
trate and fully exemplify the fable of the
dog in the manger =
"This act passed the Senate and was
sent to the House. As soon as it was read
in the House, Mr.. Rantoul, of Beverly, NOV.
ed 10 strike out the 18th section. Upon
this debate ensued, the motion was put
and carried by majority of so. The usu-
al course is, to commit bill, after it is read
the irst time; but this, though requested
was referred. Mr.. Sturgis then moved the
indefinite postponement of the bill, at the
request of the Petitioners. He stated thai
after the vote to strike out the 18th section
the Petitioners were SO entirely satisfied
that the money could not be got, that it was
merely wasting the time of the Legislature
to pursue it further. This was done moi
from temper or disrespect. 1t arose solely
from conviction that unless they could
have the security provided in that section,
the charter would be of no value. The
section fOlloWS:-
| Sec. IL. Be it further enacted, That no
other Railroad than the one hereby granted
shall be authorized to be made leading from
Boston to Lowell, or from Boston to any
other place within the northern termination
of the Railroad hereby authorized to be
made Provided, however, that it shall be
in the power of the Government, at any
time during the continuation Of the charter
herein granted, after the expiration of ten
years from the opening of the Railroad here
in provided to be made, to purchase of the
said Corporation the said Railroad, and all
the franchise. property, rights, and privi-
leges of the said Corporation, on paying
therefor the amount expended in making
the same. and the expenses of repairs, and
all other expenses relating thereto, with in
terest thereto at the rate of ten per cent.
per ann. deducting all dividends that shall
have been received by the Stockholders /;
and after such purchase the limitation pro-
vided in this section shall cease and be of
no effect. .
With this security, which is thought to be
with any enlightened system Of legislation
oH IllS suuJeCt, TIE money cOulu De, ana
would be raised, and the experiment made !;
without it. nothing could be done. Massa-
chusetts must be content to stand still, and
look on, whether subscriptions to any of the
other projects now under consideration can
be filed up, without any security, time will
show. This enterprise is for the present
abandoned. Those who are ready to I'M
dertake it, and hazard half million of dol
lars upon its success, upon The simple condi-
ton, that if it does succeed they shall have
the benefit of it for ten years. must wait till
other views prevail and other men govern.
In the mean time, intelligence comes to us
every day, and from almost every State
in the Union, of liberal grants to associa-
tons to encourage them, to begin this sys-
tenn of internal improvement; or of similar
undertakings by the State Governments
themselves. Massachusetts, as State, re.
fuses, perhaps wisely, to engage in these.
enterprises. And she also refuses to give
such encouragement to individuals as will
induce them to engage in them. Perhaps
this is all wise and liberal and patriotick.
This is a matter for the people to consider,
and we leave it with Them"