Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1836-10-19
County took hold, and have made noble
beginning? How long and how far shall
Rutland County be behind
For the TELEGRAPH.

What shall Vernon, do with her deposite
or Que million OF do lars OF the surplus |
revenue3
Mr.. Editor, sir:
In my last, endeaTored to show the
probable amount Of the surplus to which |
this State is entitled, with promise to no.
tice. this week, some of the plans suggested
for its application.
We will now suppose, for the sake of
stating the case, Though the fact is exactly
the reverse, as will presently be made to ap-
pear that the above $1,000, 900 were free
and voluntary gift on the part Of the Gen
eral Government 10 the States-that it be-
longed to us Internationally; and we ex-
pected to receive future dividends as the
revenue in the Treasury Of the United
States continued to accumulate. Under !
these circumstances, to what object would
sound policy direct the application Of this
lare amount of surplus funds?
Some have proposed Internal Improve
ments.
| Now am aware. sir, that the terms Ca
nal,' Rail Road Locomotive &C., a
mong the present "go-GheaG' generation
sound popular. They seem to be doing
things on magnificent scale, and are said
to be truly "worthy of the age" And we
most cheerfully admit too, that where the
circumstances-exten Of country fertility
of soil density Of population increasing
travel; amount Of business-the connexion
of important points, such as cities or large
markets-the sea-board with the interior
lakes, &c. justify the construction Of such
works; they are not only highly useful TO
community, but profitable to the STOCKHOLM
ers. But it is equally true-equally appa-
rent to every one who has examined the
subject, that where these circumstances do
not exist; a project of this description re-
quiring an extravagant expenditure Of large
sums of money with no prospect of an
adequate or profitable return ; or of benefit
ting the State or the nation, would be a
mere chimera of the brain-so visionary,
that no prudent man would ever think of
tnIo"tnS away vi IL SIHSle uOlldl vi his
earnings.
Is evidence of this required We have
only to look abroad in our own State-as ii
were among our neighbors, and at our very
doors, and we shall be satisfied. What has
become 4 speak with deference,) of the
thousand and one projects for Canals and
Rail Roads on the East and West side OF
the Mountains, for the last fifteen wears p
Where the chartered companies and the
investment Of stock2 What one among
them has the remotest prospect of ever be-
ing constructed or even commenced
know there is one in contemplation from a
certain point in Rutland County to White
hall. l know the subscription books have
been opened in certain village in this
County, at favorable times, on notice, when
courts were in session. | know too, that
great and laudable exertions for four or five
years have been made-public meetings
held, and committees sent to the cities, SUP.
piled with statistical information, to induce
capitalists to subscribe. And what let me
ask, has been the result? What amount OF
stock has been invested? Have the sound
: practical farmers living on and near the route,
or any other contemplated route in the state,
who are most to be benefited and whose re.
al estates are to be enhanced in value, con-
7 sidered it safe investment? How much
have they subscribed
= Far be it from me to throw the least OBJ
t stacle in the way of projected works Of in
S ternal improvements, certainly of the one
last mentioned. When properly located, |
am in their favor, and hope they will sue
: coed. The zeal of those engaged is com
: mendable and with them trust feel a
: proper degree of patriotic pride in contem-
plating those splendid and gigantic works OF
4 improvement in many parts of our country
! -conferring as they do, lasting benefits on
> the nation and its people. But it must, a,
the same time, be self-eviJent to every re-
-, 6ecting mind, that where, from the situation
-, in which Providence has placed certain
section of country, men of prudence and
foresight, sharp-eyed capitalists and specu
: lators, will not entrust dollar of their capi
q tai on such works-that in such place the
D money belonging to the state is not safe.
The people have deep interest at stake
e which they will not soon, nor easily lose
g sight of; in the question, whether the,
+ will, when called on, squander and thro !
h away their tens and hundreds Of thousand,
1t of dollars on projects, where the most pru
" dent farmer and the greatest sharper for gai,
IS would neither of them trust a cent. Tn,
= idea is too visionary-too prepcsterous t.