Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1834-01-21

and this must have influence on the cost of every part
Viewing the subject in every aspect, he said he had
looked IN vain Tor any reason TO suppose that this work
be constructed a cheaper rate than was the Pc
ersbsyg road, or in other words put complete
Tor a less SUN than 1884 200.
he said he had thus far taken for granted that road
would be II miles in LENGTH bat The distance in straight
line was said to be rs IL miles, and he could scarcely
conceive oil location that would only exceed by the
country less favorable he thought he had shown
exceeded the direct line, by about NINTH and ii tho
difference should DO 10 the proportion the Ports
mouth road it would be s5 miles, instead Of IT. and cost,
at the rate before assumed, about $92O,OoO.
All this, too he said, exclusive Of the cost of
bridge Of immense length the Roanoke at the Falls
to connect the road terminating the north OF the
river, with the basin, al Weldon the southern side.
He had of the probability that the
OF this bridge might be betrayed in part by company
in NJ Carolina. The Petersburg compsy had been
with like expectation, but not fulfilled; and they
had eventually found BEST partly Tor the purpose of
avoiding the heavy Of crossing the tho
rails to terminate their road short distance below
navgabe water, the north bank relying upon the bat
teaux OF the upper river coming down canal
basin and locks, TO unload at The end Of the
But, said Mr. H., let be admitted that mistaken
that the work will cost only $475 OOO-and that three
hibs Of this have been subscribed-does il follow
that the State is imperavey bound, by either law or
usage to lend her aid without eaquirng into the merits
oil the application? Some msapprehension seems to
prevail as to the extent and nature oil this obligation
The act Of 1916 creating the fund for Internal Improve
ment, provides that the Board Public Works shall be
authorized to subscribe in behalf of the Commonw ah
70 such public works, as the General Assembly may,
rom uine 10 ume agree to PATRONAGE such portions of
the revenue OF the fund for Internal as
may be directed by laws" but that part Of the fund
have been otherwise taken. The first step plated
by this act is that the legislature shall agree to patro
~, cost and the condition Of the fund. The State may
"agree 10 patronize the mpove give the ne
cessary authority to the Board OF Public Works. before
any subscription whatever is made by individuals but the
board cannot carry such purpose into effect, until three
hi,hs OF the stock have been subscribed 1t is usual but
not necessary to have such portion the subscribed
hrsf, and then TO apply to the Legislature; hence has
grown up the impression that the State in every such case
is bound lend its aid. II that ere true il would be as
well 10 vest general authority in the Board of Public
Works to subscribe 10 every chartered canal or road
company, where ihreefiiths Of the stock have been
taken. On the contrary, il is the obvious intention of
the ac', TO reserve TO the Legislature, the exclusive
right OF judging what works deserve the patronage
governmr and the fact that three h stock are
taken by individuals, does in the slightest degree,
strict the exercise OF that right There good for
this precauton Charters Tor becis OF internal improve
nen are granted invariably when asked and amest with
out examination, upon the presumption that individuals
are 10 carry them into effect, and that the State will
hear Of them There may be cases in which the
government ms hi properly allow individuals
work which is, nevertheless not OF sufficient general
importance TO call for the public aid Hence rigid
Tiny in reference 10 the claims OF the enterprise the
sislance OF the State, cessary and is but sell
dom made, at the granting of the charter. Should tho
aid oil the eventually be sought then tor the
first time, according the practice oil the General As
semby is instituted strict inquiry into the character and
objects OF the work.
Upon the grand and iudcous exercise of this power
OF discrimination in the bes,owa of the aid of the State
depends, said Mr. b. the and value of Internal
Improvement The cause, he said, triuIn phant
and by prudent and systematic of action, cacu-
lated TO exhibit its beneficial effects, the support public
opinion might retained until all the various sections of
the Common should be bound together in habits of
mutual intercourse, by the strong ties of interest aud a
lection The operation OF individual enterprise, might
be irregular and ncOngruous but the action of the 90
yernment ON the subject Of improvement, ought be uni
form, consistent. and tending in all its parts,
grand result Upon the face Of the country, as upon
diagram, should be deneaed all the useful and neces-
sary channels OF communication which the general To-
cal interests may require There should be harmony and
design visible throughout the entire plan, and dscor-
dan and conflicting members TO disturb the equal opera
ton OF the whole. Towards the accomplishment of such
scheme OF Improvement all the energies and
the State ought TO be directed Wherever Joint stock
PLAN based on the fund Tor Internal improvement prsc
ticabe, il should be followed; and any cause p
vate capital could not be drawn other and modes
must be Tesorted to- As long legislative action this
subject marked by wisdom consistency and economy
The necessary funds, for giving effect 10 it, would be
wanting; and II proper order observed in the exc
cuon OF the various parts of this SYSTEM that those
works most needed aid most likely make speedy re-
turn oil proh should be first constructed, the pecu-
mary burthen on the people would be comparatively
light. Upon such principles Mr.. Brown said, he should
always be found acting in cordial cooperation with
the most jealous friends of internal improvements
But if the General Assembly should grant charters with
out regard TO the object IN The first instance and then
feel itself bound 10 aid in every work. which individuals
from views Of local interest, may agree to contribute
certain proporon the public treasure was 10 be die
buted according 10 amless principle of chance or ac
cident, TO those who bid highest for it, instead of those
who most need and best deserve tiff it was 10 be used
to-day Tor producing particular effect and morrow
ior coNneracDg that effect, and aiding confusion dis
appointment and ruin the land il would come 10
be regarded inste oil blessing Since there
oIe the Legislature was in degree bound by the act
Of 1916 but had unrestricted discretion ifo a cent
had been subscribed he trusted that discretion would be
exercised, as TO dscounenance called for bv
no considerations OF general utility, and involving not on
by waste OF pHblic money, but the mschievous
consequences to interests that deserved the of
the State.
Coming, then, 10 the intrinsic merits Of the application
hat ground, said Mr. b. is this appropriation asked
Is IL that the Commonw eath has subscribed SI6O 900
To the Petersburg road and she ought an
equal favour TO the rival town OF Norfolk Let the matter
be viewed for moment in this aspect, and how
stands the case? Norfolk selected her own improve
ment, the Dismal Swamp Canal, and whilst individuals
have only subscribed towards il 96 600, the State has
contributed $640 in stock and SIl5, 500 in loans
$l79,500 in all. Ii may DO said the greater part of
this contribution is only loan, but one expects il
is to be returned unless at the option Of the COM
paUy. bill converting the whole loan into stock, pass
ed both Houses about two years snee and although on
coming back from the Senate with tfning amendmen
affecting the object IL indie nitey postponed the
fcuiniances show The light in which this loan is viewed
The receipt Of tolls the canal for 1885, was 1913 200
being handsome dividend on capital Of 100000, ex
elusive OF the 100000 subscribed by The u. Sand II
may be doubted whether the company would consent
to convert the loan into stock having reason TO expect,
interest money. In short, IL cannot be Denied that tho
State, by lending money company, with no other
cUhty for principal interest than the road or canal and
tolls renders eectua aud acceptable aid ii she
had subscribed Tor stock
IT, said Mr. 10, Norfolk had not received equal share
NJ , nubic bounty did she need II much as Peters
burg or other portonS Of the Comnonwe athl In making