Carroll free press. [volume] (Carrollton [Ohio]) 1834-1861, 1836-01-22

Internal Improvement. AT this period,
when there are so many projects Of pub
lic improvement, either in progress or in
contemplation, the propriety and wisdom
. Of Establishing by legislative enactment
Board OfpubIic Improvements, as sugges
ted by Governor Lucas, must be OBVIOUS
10 all who have reflected a moment On
the subject. Equally Us obvious and as
consistent with the equal rights of every
portion Of the State, is the Governors
: most commendabIe suggestion. that the
unjust distinction between Canals, Rail-
ways aad McAdamized roads, which has
hitherto characterized the dispensing Of
Legislative patronage-should be aban.
doned. Certainly, no plausible or just
reasOn'oaH be assigned, to sustain the Leg
'isIaturein preierrng canals to railways,
Us legitimate objects Of State patronage.
Indeed, it'sPPears 10 US, If any distinction
were just and equitable, it would be en-
aireIy the converse Of that which has here
tofore prevailed ia this State. Those dis
tricts Of The State which have been least
faROUred by nature with facilities f1r in'
thermal Improvement other things being
equal, would seem TO have paramount
clsims upon Legislative patronage. But
we are not The advocates Of any distinc.
HLons otIhis sort, Let the legislature adopt
anthe distribution ofits patronage, Gxed
rule based upon the population of different
districts, AND upon the general benefits
which ave iEikely 10 result from ANY prop
Osed, public improvement.
This subject is become deeply interest
ing. 1t cannot be doubted that, the i'm
mense revenue arising from the sales o
the Pubhc LaNds, will be unnecessary tC
Just administration Of the General Gov
ernmeat. 1t is equally as certain tha
Congress will, in some way, distribute
among tho several States, the surPld rev
enNe drawn from sales Of the "Nationa
Domai0"-as the Public Lands have bee
aptly called. If Mr. Clay's Land Bill
which is now pending in the Senate
should not become q law; some othe
scheme, calculated for the accomplish
ment of the same, or similar object
will, ia all probability, not only pass bot
houses of congress, but receive the Pres
dents sanction. also. When the vast fun
shall have been distributed among th
States, it is not presuming too much I
cay, that general scramble-not uniik
that which has distinguished the variOu
applications for the patronage ofcongres
in times past,-will commence in the d
Cerent counties, among different comps
MES and in every ncighborhood of the d
(erent States. Now, therefore, is the tim
for the adoption of q just and wise schem
the operations Of which shall dispense i
benefits equally to all. No future peric
caa be more PropitIous than the presen
for Ihs establishment ol system, whic
may govern the State, in the exercise
her fostering care towards The many pul
lie improvements, which have been pro
iected in almost every county Hereal
ter, when The State Treasury shall be e
riched by ample means, rival improve
ments, aud local considerations whic
will naturally arise, may prevent the ado
tion Of any system which would be eitht
Just or satisfactory. And, if The suggt
tions OF the Governor, in relation TO th
subject, should be diSregarded, and Il