The Arkansas advocate., 1831-01-05

aggerated by by jjealousies, ard 'isat spirit ol rivalry parable from nelghbor- ing communities. These circumstances make t the duty of those who are ins trusted with the management of its al- fairs to neutralize their effects as far as practicable, by making the beneficial operation of the Federal Government as equal and equitable among the several States as can be done consistently with the great end of its institution.
 It is only necessary to refer to un- doubted facts, to see how far the past acts of the Government upon the sub feet under consideration have fallen short of this object. The expenditures heretofore made for internal improve mentsamount toupwardsot five millions of dollars, aud nave been distributed il very unequal proportions amongst the States. The estimated expense of works of which surveys have been made, together with that of others projected and partially surveyed, amount to more than ninety-six millions of dollars.
 That such improvements, on account of particular circumstances, may be more adyantageously and benehcially made in some States than in others, is doubtless true; but that they are of q character which should prevent anequi- table distribution of the funds amongst the several States, is not to be eonced- ed. The want of this equitable distri- button cannot fail to prove a prolific source of irritation amongst the States.
 We have it constantly before our eyes, that professions of superior zeal in the cause of internal improvement, and disposition to lavish the public funds upon objects of that character, are dai. ly and earnestly put forth by aspirants to power as constituting the highest claims to the confidence of the people. Would il be strange under such cifeum- stances, and in times of great excite meRt, that grants of this description should find their motives in objects which may hot accord with the public good ?-1hose who have not had occa- sion to See and regret tue indication oi sinister influence in these matters in past times, have been more fortunate thar myself in their observation of the course of public affairs. If to these evils De added the combinations and angry contentious to which such course ot things give rise, their baneful innu. ences upon the legislation of Congress. touching the leading and appropriate duties Of the federal government, it was put doing justice to the character Of otf people to expect the severe eonaemna- ton of the past, which the recent cxhi- bitiolI of public sentiment has evinced.
 Nothing short of radical change in the action of the government upon the subject can, in my opinion, remedy the evil. If, as it would be natural to cx- peet, the states which have been least favored in the appropriations should in- slst on belag redressed in those hereaf ter to be made, at the expense of the states which have so largely and dispro- porttonateiy participated. We have, as matters now stand, but little security that the attempt would do more than change the inequality from one quarte, to another.
 Thus viewing the subject, l have heretofore felt it my duty to recommend the adoption of some plan for the dis tributioD of the surplus funds, which may al any time remain in.thc treasury after the national debt shall have beer paid, among the states, i'll proportion tc the number of their representatives. to be applied by ti.eln to objects of inter nal improvement.
 Although the plan has met with fa- vor in some portions of the Union, it has also clicited objections which merit de liberate consideration. 4 brief notice of these objections here, will not, there fore, I trust, be regarded as out ot place.
 They rest as far as they have come to my knowledge, on the following grounds; lst, an objection to the,ratit of distribution; 2d, an apprehension that the existence of such a regulation would produce improvident and op presslye taxation to raise the funds foi distribution; Ed, that the mode propos- ed would lead to the construcf;on o, works of local nature, to the exclusion of such as are general, and as would consequently be of more useful char acter, and, last, that it would create a