Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1828-1831, 1830-10-26
From the Trenton Emporium I



We avail ourselves Of uerod of connarntivo lci
sure, now that the elections closed to throw to-
gcther few remark subject at all times inter-
esing, and which the approach Of legislative SEES
sion renders especially appropriate.
Why the eXcternnn, and whence III, ipalousics
heref ofore produced by the bare mention of Canal
or Rail. ROAD Are they necessarily incident 10 he
topic, or do they spring from causes which NAV in
great measure be obviated, if not entirely removed,
Their chief source, apprehend has been in the
geographical position Of the State relatively with the
improvements which from time to time have claimed
public attention. Local discussions thus produced
have been Increased and compiled ed by honest differ
of opinion whether canals rail road DIS are pre-
ferable forms Of improvement, and whether they
should be executed at the expense ofthe government
or left as the subjects of private enterprise This
latter question regard rs settled by the proceed
ngs of the last two Legislatures. which, in refusing
to execute, at public cost, the Delaware and Raran
Canal IN charierng company for that purpose, and
IN reSerVlng to the State option subscribe one
fourth Of the stock, have announced perhaps wise
determination not TO involve the State in unlimited
expenditure, and vet willingness to sanction the
principle of Improvement by embarkng a reasonable
aud limited portion Of her funds, in such works as
seem TO promise great public benefit and adequate
remuneration per cost.
The question between canals and rail roads j.
equally well settled in the minds of those who ap
proach the subject Invested Of prejudice, and who
reason from facts they daily developed by the
experience of this country and Of Europe Truth
lies me- way between the cuntendinp paTiiZans -
INDISPENSABLE
mprovemens;- and each has ts appropriate sphere
Of utility dependant geographical position the
nature Of tho country taversed and the character Of
the transportation for which it is designed; 50 that
the advocate Of either. under oil circumstances is
sure to be wrong: while he only is likely be right
who reserves his decision I'LL every cTcumstarce.con
necfed with particular project has been carefully
weighed
These questions being srttcd--to our satisfaction
NJ lrnst- we have been tempted inquire, whether
the Legislature may not regulate its policy in re
gard TO Charters, 10 introduce system of general
accrommodn i"n,--Wlich shall give the whole State
such improvements required shall exclude all
sectional or individual monopoly, and thus produce
harmony oi sentiment, where hitherto wo have wit
messed nothing but division. The result Of the sur
Vcys made during the lost summer seems especially
10 favor such an idea. The route of the Delaware
and tnrltan Canal has proved quite favorable a.
us friends snicpated and there remains no doubt Of
The speedy execution Of that great national work II
has been asceraincd moreover that the line of that
Canal presents the most favourable route for n Rail
Road to connect tho Philadelphia and New York
stoomboas-- considered with reference to distance
incity Of construction and TO chenpness and rapdty
OF raveng 50 that the transportation Of passengers
ana light goods between the cities, il must have n
decided preference every other that can be sup
gested. 1.-THE straight Canal route be adopted the
Hail road may occupy offs banks for the whole
distance and may be formed and oyccd by the sim