Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1836-12-10
CHARTERS and CORPORATIONS.


The discussion upon the Bank Of the United States,
is still going on in Pennsylvania Men of superior Ia
lents drawing their pensNr. Charles }. lngcrsoll,
has written Letter TO show, that the Bank charter may
be rescnded by the Legislature. And Mr.. Nicholas Bid
die has addressed letter to John e. Adams, to show,
that neither the Legislature the Convention, can at
feet the charttr-and what is more, that there is not the
slightest danger that either Of them twill make this abor
tive attempt
The subjec, is Of the most complicated well
important, which come before free pcople-And
yet every whip in newspaper, thinks himself qua
lined TO DECIDE t-"FOols rush in where angels fear 10
read. Take either Extrcme-lf respect be paid by
one Legislature TO the acts Of preceding one, which
Involve private corporate interests what becomes of
the pnblic faith? What private citizen combination
of citizens would risk their money upon the acts Of the
legislature. Tits IS cie'o cf he subject.
IT, on the other hand, it be competent for an ordinary
Legislature, elected perhaps by the accidental influence
of temporary tacton TO grant any charter or charters
for tie investment of 100 millions Of dollars for 100 years,
for any Indefinite for indefinite time, what is
to protect the rights Of posery from such invasion: If
it be in the power Of Legislature to multiply char
tiers without the slightest restraint, and asen them Tor
upon poserity, then might happen that the public
| interests mgh he indefinitely sacrificed to few ndiv
duals-prvac interests might be swallowed up by cor
porate prIveges-the land might be covered by mono
pnles-and, as was eloquently said in the article on
FundQiionS in the French Ency clopUdia, eff every
who died had tombstone erected to his memory the
whole earth would be covered with monuments; and ii
would be necessary 10 disturb the ashes OF the dead TO
| find subsistence for the living.
By what great principle these two extremes 10 be
recnnced How are Legislative pledges to be preserved
without Frustrating the rights OF individuals: This Is
! the question-l rapidly discussed by Judge Roane
in tins paper, 81 years ago.-lt is touched by Mr. JET
terson, of his Letters. But the subject has not
yet been elaboraey discussed as to be permanently
| settled Some OF politicians yet take different views
| OF it, Some hold, that public faith, however pledged,
ought be preserved sacred though the skies should
iall-Olhers again hold that Bank charter is
tract at all A3oler set Of politicians say, that as Pf
yate property itself may be taken for great public
making al the time adequate compensation, so may
also corporate property. For parts, we should
he happy 10 receive investigation from some master
mind on this great problem. We threw it out in loO4-
| and we repeat the invitation in 1896.
One thing is certain, that if MIR. Biddlc be right in his
ideas Of the involabe sanctty Of carter another fea
| ture must be introduced into our Civil Institutions
Legislatures ought to be careful how they enact CHAR
| tiers. They ought neither 10 multiply them without
urgent considerations, pass away The public powe
! without some qualification and restriction Indeed,
guards ought 10 be erected in Constitutions them
selves upon the power Of the Legislature. The States
Of this Union have not been cautious enough upon TINS
subject II is only in the Constitutions OF New York
and Vermont, that such provisions Whether no
charter ought 10 be passed. which does not obtain the as
sent OF successive Legisatures-or, which does not
receive the of ODDS Of each house OF the Legisa-
turc-or which does not reserve to them or some CO.
ordinate branch the power, to cancel II tor due cosi'
Iteration, all questions emneny worthy OF attention.
We believe that Massachusetts passes any BANK
charter which does not reserve to the Legislature the
power 10 revise and abolish for adequate
| These are, however grave questlons-lAey cannot
be dismissed in hippunt article in newspaper II
some master spirits within our reach would undertake
to discuss them, condensed form as possible, we
should acknowledge the favor with many thanks
| Another question. The Presidents message proposes
to limit by of Congress, the terms which the Post
master General shall contract for carrying the mails on
rail roads. Suppose these companies should demand
more what is protect the Post office from eXacon:-
The fact is such charter onght to be given without
some clause to secure the Federal Government the trans
poration Of the mail, munitions Of war, &c, &c: on
fair terms The u. S. have power at present. TO es'
taLis a l-road-Rather than enlarge their powers,
or subject them imposition the States had best PROVIDE
some impartial tribunal determine the value OF the
lranspo, ailon Board of Assessors some Jury OF
The character of al qucd Gamun In word appears
u.s. that every ralroad charter ought TO contain some
such revision and railroads multiplying all over
the county, the tie system is begun, the better
IT 1t was our intention 10 complete IN tins day pa
per The Report Of the Secretary Of the Treasury which
we have commenced but The Slip Which reached US by
the Southern Express of yesterday morning. enables us
TO Law before readers come ae and Interesting Trans
actions in Florida
Senate Of Ftrgiaia
On motion of Mr.. Anderson, OF Bntctourt, Mr.. Leigh
Letter of Resignation has been referred to Select Com
: mittee.
| Court C} 3ppcaiS.
| Yesterday, the argument on Mr. John Randolph S
will was concluded. Mr.. Cook closed with speech, so
argumcntatte and eloeuent, to cxor the adnIra.
ton of all who heard it, The Court Is not expected 10
decide the case for some weeks to come.