Richmond Indiana palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1837-1839, 1838-04-28
Fo. the Richmond Palladium.

caldt aTOubu ais Oh 81. MARIA.
Fo- the Richmond Palladium. {
MIssSs EDIToas.-IIaving shown in my last
lrticlc from the operation Of lines, in Ohio a:I
Pcnnsy lvania; that the position that works,
Df that description that cannot sustain themselves
and that those that pass entirely through State,
arc the only ones, that have been succossful;-:o
be erroneous: | shall proceed in this one, I" con-
sdcv particularly, the subject Of classifca-
ton. am well aware, that some leading CLASH
ficrs, in this county; claim with much assumed
zeal, to be friendly to our public works. But as
all their references, and arguments, arc made to
facts, and lead to conclusions, directly adverse to
the wisdom Of undertaking them: | have
,,scribcd to them, hostility, to internal improve
mcnis in general; because il is not only usual,
and logical; but absolutely necessary, in deter
mining tho motives Of conduct, to suppose that
the actor designed to produce those ends which I
are the natural and usual results Of his actions;
and in argument, the conclusions, To- which his !
reasoning fairly leads. Those leaders, knowing
that the great body, of the community, are hon
est, independent, and intelligent, in thcr iudg-
mcn,s; that they desire an Improvement OF the
country; and do not dread an advancement, III the
price Of property, and Producc;- inevitable re-
ru.ts which have heard some deprecate, as Op-
prcssivc to the poor: deem it essential to their
success, to hold out the view, that they also, arc
favorable to that, to which, tho people friendly.
But at the same time to obtain their ultimate OBJ
"
the works, to be such to render the advan-.
tage Of their execution altogether inadequate to
cOnppensat for their cost. And that have
alrc ady made an expenditure Of upwards Of two
millions; the interests Of which VIC have to pay,
by direct taxes; and constantly increased, the
work progresses. until il amounts as they cst;-
mate tho completion Of the system, to So5 0O0,
900, and its interest, to be collected by annual
tax OF 81 900, levied on the present taxable
property of the State; (or nothing, but debt, pro-
!, rnI
position the transition to notification is easy and
direct. For rs tho completion Of the woik, would
be great loss, and permanent burden; so would
that loss, and BURDEN be lessened, Just in proper
. ton to the amount OF work we abandoned; until
D we had down the system to the last work,
which in all cases is the favorte with the Sec
ton of country which is appealed to, for modifca-
ton Having examined with care the foundation
principles, on which classification rcsts-and de-
sirous of arriving ut n more favorable conclusion
I am compelled to regard its tendencies just IN
proportion, to the adoption Of those fundamental
principles, by the people; fatal to our system.
Now wherein do system men, differ from tho
u foregoing views? They hold that If one work
l. from the general character Of such works; is prof
D liable advantageous 10 the community, all suct
!, works as are located, III fertile divisions OF tho
State: must be profitable also; provided the mum
. Der is not SO great, and their proximity such; a
to make them competitors tor the same business
They maintain that the law in consequence Of tn
amount of property that has been invested, undo
c sanction of the solemn guarantee, accompanying
to complete all the works, embraced in tho &C
lin reasonable ,ime,'' and that the provisions c
10 the act, .shall be construed favorabl, to the pull
lie works should be sustained lnvioably, as w
would guard the homer, and reputation Of til
State. That in carrying this act into execution
We should proceed with vigor. and celebrity "a
-, the convenience Of the S,.te; the condition {
~ the public works; and the state Of the money mai
N ket will admit of And that those portions of tn
n works sl,ou!l obtain precedence, that would 81
C. tsfv that rcquisiton of the law, which Gays the
shall be the most conducive, to the public inte
est. having regard, always to economy, and tn
most profitable, and early rccei pts of tolls Thu
in reference to the Simultaneous prosecution,
III al the works: they hold that the spirit. and j,
~ .cntion. of the act,--and the public interes
=. should be together consulted, and strictly con
piled with. That the law did not re1uir
such action i. is not essential, to the system, hi
~ they be so prosecuted; ard that consequently,
ar forms no part Of their obligation. IN supportir
lis the law OF the land. Such being the object, CT
r. views Of the friends of improvement; nn exec
;. ton OF the law, with direct regard to the publ
~ interest; il would be unnecessary, to say an
thing more, in advocacy Of the utility Of the pu
lic works. did not the uutisng efforts, that a
~ constantly made to induce the people TO beiiev
err that such works can only be supported. BY tax
,r. ton; and that they will finally increase, uni
!, they become too oppressive to be borne ;-dcmar
a further examination. The State of Indiana. i
cr stead Of being situated, to render such wor
-. unproductivc; Is to as great an extent, as an
' other State in tho union, la her natural cond
&c, ton. wanting and promising adv antage from c
ed nails. and improved roads. The leading intere
oh OF the State, is agricultural. end such prcduc,
are heavier for their value, than any other ere
ton OF labor; and consequently their transport
al ton. more difficult, ard expensive. Hence i,
that no surplus over the consumption Of the '
as cinity. is ever made far in the interior of Stat
he or distant from navigation, pubic improv cmen
that must be conveyed, to market, by artifici
means. Suppose Farmer at distance Of {
III miles from the Ohio River, raises 500 bushels
:. wheat, for market at the river. At the lowe
:, rates Of carriage by Wagons, natur
I'd roads; it would cost thirty cents per bushei m
king $3.50. By canal, at ordinary charges,