Litchfield enquirer., 1830-12-16

nre.sive taxation to raise tie funds for distFi- button; Sd, that the mode pr0p0sed would lead tothe construction OfwOrks Of a local na- ture, to the exclusion of such as are general, and as would consequently be of q more use- ft,l character; and, last, that tt would create discreditable and injurious dependence. on the part of the State Governments. upon the ted- eral power. Of those who object to the ra- tiO of representation as the basis ot dIstribu- ton, some insist that the importatIOns Ot the respective States would constitute one that would be more equitable; and others, again, that the extent of their respective territories would furnish standard which would be more e expedient, and sufficiently equitable. The ra- tio of representation presented itself to my mind, and it still does, IS one of obvious equi- tv, because of its being the ratio of cOntrihH. ,ion. whether the funds to be distributed be de- rived from the customs or from direct taxa ton. Itd0es not follow, however, that it's a. doption is indispensable tO the establishment of the system proposed. There may econ alterations, appertaining to the subject which | would render departure, tO some extent, ] from the rule of contribution, proper. Nor IS lit absolutely necessary that the basis of dis tribution be confined to one ground. It may. 1 fin the judgment of those whose right it is to fix it, it be deemed polite and just to give it
 that character, have regard to several.
 In my first message. l stated it to be my
 opinion that "it is not probable that any ad- justment of the tariff upon principles satisfac- tory to the people of the Union, will, until remote period, # ever, leave the Government without considerable surplus in the treas l ury beyond what may be required for its cur- ] rent servIces." have had no cause 10 change that opinion, but much to confirm it. Should these expectations be realized, a suitable fund would thus hs produced for ths plan under l consideration to operate upon; and it there be no such fund. its adoption will, in my opinion, work no injury to any interest; for I ] cannot assent to the justness Of the apprehen- sion that the establishment Of the proposed system would tend to the encouragement of imprOvident Legislation of the character sup. posed. Whatever the proper authority, in the exercise Of constitutional power, shalt, at any time hereafter, decide to he for the gene. ral good, will, in that as in other respects, de- serve and receive the acquiescence and sup. port of the whole country and we have am pie security that every abuse of power in that regard, by the agents of the people, will re- csive speedy and rfectual corrective at their hands. The views which l take of the ftl- ture, founded on the obvious and increasing improvement of all classes of our fellow. .citi-
 
 { vate virtue, leave ms without much apprehen. sion On that head. ! do not doubt that those who come after us will he as much alive as we are to the obli- gation upon all the trustees of political power to exempt those for whom they act from all unneceSsary bnrthens, and as sensible of the great truth, that the resources of the nation, beyond those required for the immediate and necessary purposes of Government, can DO where be 50 well deposited as in the pockets of the people.
 It may sometimes happen that the interests of particular States would not be deemed to coincide with the general interest in relation tO improvement within such States. But. ir the danger to be apprehended from this source is sufficient tO require it, a discretion might be reserved to Congress to direct, to such Improvements of a general character as the States concerned might not be disposed tO unite in, the application of the quotas of those States. under the restriction Of c0nnn. ing to each State the expenditure Of its ap. propriate quota. It may, however. he assu- med as safe general rule. that such improvs- ments as ser"e tO increase the prosperity of the respective States in which they are made, by giving new facilities to trade. and thereby augnenting the wealth and comfort of their inhabitants, constitute the surest mode Of cOn. fsrring permanent and substantial advantages upon the whole. The strength. as well as the true glory, Of the cOnftderacy is mainly founded on the prosperity and power of the several Independent sovereignties of which it is composed. and the certainty with which they can be brought into successful, active CO., operation, through the agency of the Federal Government.
 It is, moreover, within the knowledge of such as are at all cOnversant with public af- ia'rs' that schemes of internal improvement have, from time to time. been proposed, which, from their extent and seeming magniicence, were regarded as of national cOncernment but which. upon fuller consideration and fur. ther experience, would now be rejected with great unanmity.
 That the plan under consideration would derive important advantages from it's certain "; and that the moneys set apart for these purposes would be more judiciously applied and economically expended under the drec- lon "t the State Legislatures, in which every part ot each State is immediately represent. ea' cannot, think, be doubted. In the new states particularly, where comparatively small population is scattered over an exten- slve surface. and the representation in Con. sress consequently very limited, it is natural ., rspect that the appropriations made by Me federaI Government would be more like " to be expended in the vicinity of those fhRnha harN sN.MNn