Richmond Indiana palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1837-1839, 1838-04-14

MEssRs. EDrroas-It may be doubted, whether
any question could arise, Of . moro engrossiag
TO the people Of this State; thaa the
one now 20 generally engaging asteatien- We
have embarked in a system Of public works.
spread over the State; in such directions, ~ to
give to all the leading divisions Of il; connsx-
'oo with the natural highways; by which to
great extent the State i. bounded. The course .
which should be pursued, at present, in regard to
to those works, much divide attention. One por-
ton Of the people are favorable to the view that
such improvements, arc the most valuable, which
they could effect; while another evidcntly doubt
the propriety, if not Of the continuation Of any
public works at least of the system now in pro-
gress.
= Having just returned from the political meet
ing, held here to day; where the topic Of public
improvement was extensively discussed; propose
to offer YOU, brief review Of some points IN the
argument Of ono Of the speakers; who sustained
policy Of classification Of the public works. 10
doing SO, l am ac.uated by no unfricndly feeling,
towards tho speaker; but simply from the de-
sire that truth in facts. and fair, and logical in
duction in reasoning; should be constantly kept
before the public mind, in reference the system
and prosecution, Of which, deem tho fair CHAR
acter, and prosperity, Of Indiana, dependent, and
ndissolubly connected. Further the gentleman
invited examination. And his remarks afford
a synopsis, oil the views Of the opponents Of the
system; embrace it Il suitable occasion to offer
some reflections.
la his opening remarks positions were assumed,
whose tendencies, were directly hostile, 10 the
existence Of any public works, this State; from
which revenue should be expected He asserted
that the Legislature, being called upon to consid
er, and embark in such system; should take a
general view Of the condition, and interests, Of the
State; and undertake nothing imposing burden
upon the people. That they should particularly
examine, the history Of other States. And that
in this instance, New York, Pennsylvania, and
Ohio, presented examples, applicable to the
occasion. That New York did not undertake u
general system; but simply one work; and that
work, not confined to the accommodation Of her
own State; but to open a communication between
her seaport, and the Lakes; by which means the
trade Of the northwestern country, would be in.
vited through her improvement; and occasion
large receipts Of revenue. Pennsylv ania pursued
the same policy. She did not commence a sys
tenn; but one work connecting her Emporium
with the Ohio river, and the business Of the west
and relying upon that business, foreign TO thu
production, Of her own State for revenue. Wa
the condition Of Indiana similari Not one ofhc
public works passed through the State, to enable
: her to receive revenue, from the transportation
Of neighboring ones. II then, New York ant
Pennsy lvania, in their great works SO situatc'
, as to command the immense trade Of the western
country; had not derived large revenue thcrefrom
How was it possible for Indiana from her own re
sources. obtain enuc sufficient to support he
system, ithout burdening the people with taxa
ton, perpetual, and family increasing, throug
all time to come? New York the last season, ha
upon her work, from tolls an excess over its an
: nual costs, but little exceeding 100000. i
Pennsylvania there was deficit, the Income nc
meeting tho expenses. And what tho infel
ence! The genteman omitted to make it; bu
his hearers wcrc conducted to the conclusion, il
resistibly from such premises; that public in
provemcnts, were incompatible, with tho cond
ton Of Indiana. But strange as it may seem, tn
% speaker drew back from the consequence, OF hi
, own argument; and proclaimed friendship, e
y a system Of internal improvements. And VIII
: friendly? Because we had expended 50 niue
), money, upon such work. Again by implicatio
! sustaining his argument; for by it no intrins
Il merit existed, in such works to support them.
q q Having completed the initiatory foundation
70 designed to establish, unfricndly impression
!. to the great undertaking Of this State: the spea
er proceeded the consideration Of the necessi'
: of modification Of the works. And here two di
" tnct and independent almost antagonist plans
!. offered by the Ciassifers, Unfortunately ass
. ciated together. The one, an entire re,organiz
!; !. ton, Of the system Of improvement. The othe
,, change in the board Of Commissioners, and Il
T. present proceedings in execution Of the Law
. for the purpose Of economising tho expenditure re
!, and the application of labor the dischargir
portions, Of the works, in anticipation Of the mo-
: interior and unproductive parts. The latter
e execution Of the law, in its spirit and intention
n with economy, and fidelity, belong to the syster
h and the friends Of the system. And it is due
- the work, that any violation Of the act, that Us
r cred the system into being, should be redresse