Constantine republican. [volume] (Constantine, Mich.) 1836-1838, 1838-01-17

zing a loan Of five millions OF dollars for
purposes of Internal Improvements, have
made such arrangements as viii enable the
state readily 10 command any portion of
the amount 10 be loaned as our wants may
require it. Five hundred thousand dollars
Of stock, has been sold in the American
market, at premium of six per cont; the
remainder has been thrown into the Euro.
penn market under such an agreement as
will insure It's successful negotiation al any
period that might be directed. Should
necessity exist for any additiora funds be.
fore remittances may be received from
Europe, ] have entered into an arrange
ment in the city Of Newly York, by which,
the amount needed will be advanced on the
loan. have no idea, however, that this
necessity will arise.
The great importance Of a system of in
ternal improvements to the eventual and
permanent prosperity Of the state, cannot
be questioned; nor should the claims of any
section Of the country to participation in
its advantages, be denied, when the works
contemplated, offer the proper inducements
for their construction. have repeatedly
urged my desire, TO see the state progress
in the liberal and extended system she has
founded /; but must express my doubts Of
the policy Remembering our finances with
any additional Improvements TO those alrea-
dy directed. The great avenues and CON-
munications OF trade through the state, are
now in The progress Of completion by the
public ; and | submit the propriety of lea.
wing, for the present at least, those of MI
nor importance, TO the exertiols ofindivid-
ual enterprise. The loan already author
lied for internal improvements, amounts to
| the sum of FIVE millions Of dollars, and it
may be questioned, whether with the most
rigid economy, that sum will be equal to
the construction Of works now undertaken.
| As the means of the state increase, and her
resources are developed, we may turn our
attention to more extended system, if de-
manded by the people. For some time to
come, our public works will prove but a
limited source of revenue TO the state and
as we are already borrowing money without
providing available funds 10 meet the inter.
est or principal on our loan, as it becomes
due, most earnestly call your attention
to that subject. 1t will never answer to
think of relying upon direct taxation, for
means to meet these obligations and it is
submitted TO your consideration, whether
the best interests Of your constituents, do
not demand the creation Of sinking fund
out Of the receipts derived from roads and
canals, rs they may arise, and from such
other sources as may be under the control
Of the state, for the payment Of the interest
on our debt, and the ultimate redemption
ofthe principal.
In the acceptance Of the propositio Is
from the Government of the United States,
contained in the act supplementary to the
act providing for the admission Of Michigan
into the Uuion, the Legislature submitted to
Congress for their consideration, the prop
osition, "that five hundred thousand acres
Of unappropraei public lands be granted
to the State for purposes of internal i'm.
provements within the peninsular countless"
and ''that there be granted for the construc.
ton of road from the mouth Of the An
tonagon river Of Lake Superior, TO some
point on Green Bay, one section of land for
each mile" Also, shat all roads COM
menced by the United Safes within the
: State, and remaining unfinished, should be
, completed by them" This proposition is
too reasonable in its charter TO need enfor-
, cling by any system of argument. The
, neighboling states o. Ohio, Indiana and IL.
lnois, have received repeated donations in
land from Congress for roads and canals,
, and no reasonable objection can exist, why
the same iberality should not be extended
10 Michigan. If we have heretofore petit
toned Congress in vain, it is trusted, that
, a sense of justice will render our present
demand successful no western state has
for years contributed more than Michigan
to the revenue of the United States, and
now only asks even handed justice.
would therefore sugg sst that our senators
and representative be instructed TO urge
J upon Congress the acceptance OF this propo.
, sition.
The character ofindustry upon which the
! real prosperity of the state is most DEEPEN
t dant, is the cultivation Of the soil. Mos
nations have considered it their policy to
, encourage some particular branch of indus
try, as the one from which they could de
rive the most abunJan resources of wealth
But whilst the true policy Of a free govern
meni is TO extend equal protection TO every
. department Of trade, we are too apt TO over.
, look the intcrestofthe agricuturist. Mich.
igan, lis true, may and will exhibit an i'm.
, portant field for successful domestic man.
, ufactures as well as the chief resources Of
!, commerce. Whatever encouragcmentthere
{ fore we secure for the agricultural interest
I extends benefit to every other department
) of industry. Agriculture being, then, a
J primary and most important branch Of state
. economy, it is the duty Of the legislature
, not only to project its members from dis.
} proportionate burdens, but to facilitate Il
, them the advantages derived from the re.
, searches Of science, and the discoveries
and Improvements Of the age. With this
. object in view, would recommend the crea.
ton Of board or society, whose duty il
/. would be TO foster and encourage this great
source of national prosperity and indepen.
dence, gather desirable information, and al
. the public expense, distribute il amongst
the farmers Of the state. Such measure
/. have no doubt, would in short time be
D productive Of important public consequen.
ces.
5 From the report Of the Superintendent o.
| Public instruction, you will receive all the