Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1831-08-12
FOR THE ENQUIRER.
INTERNAL IMPROVEMENT.


INTERNAL IMPROVEMENT.
No. 4.
Whether rail roads equal superior, in point of
public convenience and utility TO the best water COM
is question: which, If possible, ought now
to DO put to rest. The Legislature must have full
Information on this subject they will be unable 10
act IN the way the other, in relation our great
lines OF nierconhunicaton. IL they fail TO act the
Republic viii be in the most imminent danger; and IT,
therefore, behoves those who ntrused with The ian
portant concerns OF the State well AS the citizens oil
our large and dsepiyntcre stcd towns, TO leave no
means unemployed In obtaining this Information.
should Il turn out, as seems highly probable, that
this is the best kind of improvement then accurate
Information as can be procured TO the expence and
probable tonnage TO Geray that expence, ought also TO
be obtained.
Any remarks of mine merely intended TO draw
the attention OF the pubic, who perhaps equally i
norant oil The subject that may all be up and do
Ing and trying to get all the knowledge we can.
AS TO convenience, superior speel, and greater |
certainty seem TO me to be two important features in
favor OF rail roads,
On the oher hand after the article Is brought to
the rail road, employ other abour than that
OF the company, apply his own, carry it to
market himself, and thus create competition the
OF transportation too, i'm country, through which
many RIVERS and creeks capable of improvement for
navigation, exist, the boats descending such improved
streams TO canal, could 20 to market in charge
and by the lahour OF the owner, who would have TO
rans-ship when, Instead OF canal, he should
a rail road
To these il is answered. that IL both kinds of improve
ment were the election OF the party he would prefer
speed and certainty, and select the road and indeed
that the road can underbd the canal. Should this lat
ter, however, be true there is chance of ensuring
reduction in price to the people, nasmuch there can
be no competition, reduce it TO the minimum
unless by providing in the charter that the
may lessen the tolls when the profits OF the company
become too eNorbitant This they must do, il al
the commencement they will yield any thing near the
interest OF the money expended and therefore, such
provision in the charter ought always be attended to;
otherwise, posterity permanently s1dded with
due eXactions; Tor will venture compete by
new road, with company who will be able at once,
to lower their tolls so as to put it down. This subject
oil rail roads is new TO the people, and equally
so TO our politicians, and requires attention in all
its parts The very best things may be rendered hurt
full, if incauiously improperly used. To pay COM
pany Tor rsque, in new undertaking, | would allow
generous profit; but would mortgage poseri,y 10
all ne TO subject them the exorbant exaciion
OF monied monopoly, having p0ces not to be re-
sisted
he political influence, too, which such corpora
ton may exercise in country, the whole trade OF which
Is TO pass through their -hUuses and through the
hands of their agrntsthe influence in short of mil
lions OF money involved by corporation operating on
aud having their agencies and patronage in relation
the whole intercourse OF the country are matters o.
consideration my mind of the deepest importance in
relation 10 This and untied subject. How far
dangers of this kind be guarded agai - in cases oil
incorporated companies, by The state taking a pretty
large interest," and holding considerable control in the
management in what other way it is to be DONE are
matters, Think not to he slightly passed by the
politician. Present interest ought TO blind us 10 The
future.
1t fortunate for Virginia that he grea, artery OF
communication, from East 70 West whilst il cupies
the centre OF the sate and is the largest work 10 be
undertaken at least for the present. belongs the state
and, trust, will forever belong her 1t is for these
political reasons, we'll as because think there will
be risk the part OF the state, i'm also undertake
ing that work. that have before suggested the opinion
that the Improvement of the valley OF the Shenandoah
should that be by rail road, ought also TO be state
account
| have also farther reason-Theso works may, in
The hrs instance, require rate OF toll and transporla
ton united, which would be on, of the question as
| regulation, still he a
great accommodation, compared the present expence
OF transportation. This the State would have in its
8 r. pM2 cS 70 n Tqc Sc h Ss n
reg ri TO a company.
Thus, too, many articles of small value compared 10
bulk and weight, could be introduced on the Road
yielding some profit TO il, which would not bear the
tolls that some valuable articles could svsain Indeed
aruces oil me same description passing short distance,
would not feel toll, which would exclu the same
articles coming from the further end OF the line but
which could be introduced at lower rate and be pro
htable TO the owner aud 10 the Road.-Jusice and
sound policy therefore, would require iudicious rega
tons on this subec', which it would always be in the
power oil Inc Legislature to make, when the work
State account.
Thus, for instance take section of so miles from
Richmond up james River, and say that il shall receive
no aid from The tonnage above, in assisting pay the
interest on the money employed in the original con-
structon OF the road but that the tonnage of that sec
ton must pay, to all tme that interest Say that that
VIII require two cents per ton per mile, that will
require two cents per per mile, TO keep the Road
in repair, so far the Of tn, tonnage will inure
anu 10 pay Tor transportation Say, too, that the
section OF 80 miles will do the for itself but il shall
pay cents per ton per mile, for tat space it would
seem just that when this trade reaches the LIST section
should be perm tied to pass the rate OF cents
per mile, so as 10 recompeDse for its injury the road
and pay Tor transportation nd for the next paving
four cents on its own section and only two on the
others. And on for 4ih section, or 200 miles &c
Say that this rate oil imposition will pay for the ORR
gnal construction, repairs. and for transportation on
each section, all would seem TO be pretty equal:
! Thus, he OF the first section will pay, ii lie
uses the Road the whole 90 miles So
| He of the 2d will pay
! He OF the 81 will pay
| And he of the 18th will paw 4
| But suppose, t all pay 3 cents per ton per mile
throughout the whole extent, il would equally pav all
eXpences.
| Thus, he OF the first section will pay 81 30
| He of the ID will pay but 3 90
| But he of the Sd viii pay so
| Whilst he of the 4h will pay 6 90
| Thus, these latter will contribute more than their
due proportion TO the whole expence and the far
ther you go, hs more il will be out OF proportion
Tut the true interest OF all i'll also be- TO lower the
tolls on articles of small value, taking care 10 have
Pro on these also, TO ing tonnage TO the Road
which would otherwise not pass it.
by way of eXemplifyng my crude notions and of
exciting enquiry and elicing information viii here
after trouble you with remarks on tho expence
ana probable profits OF a Road UP the James which
think will be nearly equally applicable to the Shcnan
doah; and scale of tolls 10 shew how far the exist
ing trade. and such as may be brought on the Road
would probably pay expences-A ccuracy i'm any
thing is beyond my power | have not the necessary
Information on any one point II wi be for those no
nave II IN their power, to bring my views If worth
any thing TO the test of truth-so that we may all re-
celVe mat light necessary at the present juuciure
q. b.
FOR THE ENQUIRER.