Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1832-03-03
Richmond, Saturday, March 3.
INTERNAL IMPROVEMENT.

l.
ternal Navigation-with the Bill for Incorporating
the James River Company, now before the H.
of Dclegates.-The Report presents n long and in
teresting narrative of the various and anxious but
hitherto unsuccessful efforts, made by the Legisa-
tire at almost every session, from the wear 1909
down TO the present time, for connecting the Eastern
and Western Waters. The bill proposes now 10,
the accomplishment of this great object the incor-
poration of u Joint Stock Company. Itsets out with
providing for the election, by the General Assembly
OF hive Commissioners for estimating the fair and
reasonable value of the James river improvements
with the aid of two or more competent engineers
As soon as the estimate is made and certified books
are to be opened in all the large towns of the Com,
monwealth, for millions of Stock-When }-5ths
shall have been subscribed by individual CAPITALISTS
the State is TO take the other 2-5ths of which the es
tmaed value of her present works is to constitute
part. If the millions are insuflicient, the new
Company is at liberty TO extend the amount; the
State always subscribing 2-5ths The Kanawha road
and its extension to the Big Sandy, are not TO be
valued and thrown in--but are still to remain the
property of the Commonwealth.-The new Com
pany is TO extend the Communication from Rich
mond to Kanawha, by canal or railroad to poin,
on the upper part of James river, and thence by a
railroad TO the Kanawha.-The dividend of the
Stockholders not to exceed Is per cent-and the
Charter is to be perpetual. The tolls on the canal
not to exceed on an average cents per ton per
mile-that on coal cents, &c.-On the railroad
The toll not to exceed cents per ton, per milc-pas-
exceed cents per ton, per mile, and less on salt
and coal, &c. &c.
1t is probable that some modification may be made
in the bill-but that it will finally pass.
GIVE repeat" Now's the day and now's the
hour'-Lc us act upon this great work no,o-and
save the Old Dominion from the consequences which,
will result from our apathy and delay.
We sympathize with the feelings which dictated
the following paragraph in the Petersburg Inelli-
gencer of yesterday morning-With such spirit
OF Internal improvement, who can despair of the
Commonwealth?
"PETERsBURG RAIL ROAD BILL.-We are happy 10
inform the Citizens OF Petersburg well as all Others in
terested in the prosperity OF Town. that the House
Delegates has agreed 10 the amendments of the Senate
the Rail Road Bill and the subscription of the State upon
conditions entirely acceptable to the Company authorised
beyond the reach of "chnnce change" The Bill as we
before stated, directs the taking immediately of Stock 10
the amount oil Eighty Thousand Dollars and the like
sum prospcctveyo in other words the first mocty 10
be paid by the State individuals shall have Ii
qudated the first halt of their subscriptions condition
already complied with by the Stockholders OF the Peters
burg Kai Road Company-and the rule TO govern
in regard to the remainder"
Our attention has been called the Petition of ATessrs
tehs and Randolph for placing their Coal Mine on the
footing of Joint Stock Company The Committee of
Agriculture and Manufactures reported yorably to it
but the House OF Delegates rejected it. On the first
blush OF the subject disposed TO acuuesce i'm the
decision oil the Housebut the Petitioners are strongly
borne out by the circumstances of the case The pit has
dip to the West; and they now sinking now shat,
which may carry them 600 feet from the surface Al
this great DEPTH become necessary to supersede the
horse power, which has hitherto in use and TO re-
sort TO the English mode of working the mine by very ex
pensive machinery. Hence, larger capital will be ne
cessary, and hence the desire let out the mine
shares distributed among The members of Joint Stock
Company.
But there is another and perhaps important con-
sideration. In one of the propretors should die
and leave Children the property be sod the shares
cannot be transferred; but the interest of the cgatees
must depend upon such rents the guardians may OBJ
tanand the mine cannot be worked TO as great public
advantage, by those who are not its proprietors
We do not how the Public TO be injured bv an ar
rangement of this description If the mine is 70 l,,
worked with greater spirit in any event. (oth now and
hereafter, by those who the actual propretors or
those who succeed in of the death OF one of tbe
pares) the article may become cheaper and the Public
Is liable TO no imposition by the establishment of Joint
Stock Company.
The subject is one which is clearly entitled TO notice
he coal business is OF great interest TO Virginia II
brings us in profit of near half million-and il dug ont
OF the bowels OF our earth, without drawing pon
any oil the other States for single article except little
OIL IL should therefore, be cherished by lending such
facilities TO the o! the property may not contravene
the interests oil the Public. We must also bear i'm mind
that other coal of the description is threatening o
come into competition with own-that from the Cum
berland Moundn--and also the buminous coal of Penn
syivana, which is expected to be dug of her noun
tains If TO cope with such competitors these facilities
may be found advantageous why should they be with
held?