State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1831-1836, 1836-07-26

possibility that the State may at some flu
ture time he required to refund what is
now received; yet it is only the original
sum without interest which at most can be
called for; nor is it at all probable that this
will ever be demanded. Your committee,
therefore deem it unnecessary for them to
discuss the question, whether, under thes C
circumstances it is expedient for Vermont
to receive the money. Their own opinion,
and the opinion of our citizens generally,
so far as we have had opportunity of be-
coming acquainted with it, is, that Vermont
is bound TO avail itself in the way prescibed
of its share of the overlooking Of our Ma
tional Treasury. But how shall the State
expend this money? This, i'll the opinion
of your committee, is que stion Of more
! importance than whether it shall be receiv-
ed on the terms proposed. 1t is maxim
alike applicable to individuals and to COM
munities, that less wisdom is necessary to
acquire money than TO use it judiciously.
| Doubtless the money in question may be
so managed as to do the State ncalculabe
mischief; or it may be made TO produce
benefits which shall be seen and felt when
another century shall have come in place
of the present. There are two great inter-
ests; to the promotion of the one or the
the two, it is presumed that large MAORI
ty of our citizens wish this money to be
applied. The one of these is education
the other is the increase Of our facilities for
travel and transportation. Probably some
would be glad to divert part. at least, to
other objects which are either more local,
or which less need pecuniary aid from gov
eminent. But it is hoped and believed
that the number of such is small. In the
/ opinion of your committee, and they pre-
sumo that in the opinion Of our citizens
generally, there is less need of large addl-
tional sums to promote education, than
! there is to give us such roads as the inter-
ests of the State iinperiously require. Its,
indeed, evident that unless Vermont at once
awake to this subject and forthwith eXpends
within her limits, such sums as we cannot
command among ourselves, her fertile hills
and wales, to n great extent, must lie uncul-
tivated-her enterprlsing sons will locate
themselves in States that make intercourse
and transportation more cheap and eXpe-
ditious; thus leaving the land of their ma
tivity thnly inhabited and comparatively
poor But let intercourse and freight be
made cheap and expeditions, then, by
| due improvement of our advantages tor
agriculture, grazing and manufactures, YER
mont will be made to sustain in comfort as
dense population as any other section of
the United States. Such being the case,
every citizen of Vermont and especially
every one who does not live west of the
Green Mountains, will regard with lively
I interest the Rail Road contemplated, and
actually commenced at each end, extending
| from the Atlantic to the st. Lawrence. OF
this stupendous work, Vermont comes in
for large share both of the honor and the
advantage. This contemplated and already
begun Road is on the route evidently de-
signed by tie Creator as the great thorough
| fare from the ocean to the st. Lawrence.
! Should Vermont construct what falls with
in her limits, not shadow of doubt remains
as to the completion of what falls with
| in the limits Of other States and the Prov
ince of Canada. If in making the survey,
! it should be found best to locate part of
the road on the east side of the Connect
cut, that would not effect Vermont unta-
vorably, and most of the way from Massa-
chusetts, to Canada it must unavodably
pass through this State. Such and such
like being the facts, the committee main
tain without fear of contradiction, that no
object has been or can be proposed which
has so lust claims Oh the government of
money as the Connecticut and Passumpsic
Valley Rail Road. Nor let it be thought
that in claiming for ourselves, we disre-
gard the rights of others. Far from it,
We have no disposition for this. Let the
objects of extensive interest and perma-
nent utility, which need the patronage of
government, receive their due share of at
tention. But we do most sincerely hope
that no part of this fund i'll question will be
expended on objects of minor or temporary
importance; or such as can well be sustained
by funds derived from other sources. YER
mont has now an opportunity to exercise
, provident foresight, the effects of which
,, shall be conspicuous in all future ages. We
trust il will be done. We confidently look
!, to our legislature for the aid which the
magnitude and importance of the object in
which we are engaged justifies and de-
> mands And to us-to all who reside in
the eastern half of Vermont. it more es-
pecially belongs to see that our Rail Road
enterprise is presented before the next
General Assembly and our claims stated in
all the force and all the simplicity of naked
: facts. In the opinion of your committee
we cannot fail to succeed. In what way
aid shall he afforded, may cheerfully be
, left with the legislature If it should be
: by taking stock in the company, as soon as
! the Road is built an annual revenue will
accrue to the States, which may from year
to year he applied to help forward other
enterprises, or TO lessen the customary
State tax, as wisdom may dictate. And
. should the repayment of the sum received
ever be required, it might, past doubt, be
readily obtained by II sale of this stock, and
the necessity of raising the money by tax
> alton be obviated
On the whole, the committee respectful
: ly recommend to the Convention the an