Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1838-03-08

| lhis SUBJECT, lor Sucn is us practice.
Let us now examine for a moment,
the tendency ofthis principle. con-
tend, sir, that it leads To useless, profuse
and Improbable expenditures Of public
money. That i; is unequal and unjust
in its operation. That its tendency, il
may be permitted to borrow an ex-
preston from the dcmagogues of the day
is TO make the rich richer, and the poor
poorer" To invite fraud and specu!a.
ton, and to minister 10 the cravings of
private cupidity at the expense of the
( public intercsts--&that il = is not arres-
ted, il will inevitably land this Common
wealth in irretrievable bankruptcy.
Sir, look for a moment at its operation.
Does it not destroy all discrimination as
to the works to be undertaken? Does
1t not pledge the State 10 the construc-
ton Of every work, however unproiita-
ble, and however injurious TO works al
ready in operation Does it not take
away in effect all discretion froms the
Legislature as TO what works shall or
shall not be made aud transfer it to pri-
vate individuals, whose interest Is prob
ably adverse TO the public welfare Does
it not foster sectional feelings, and prompt
rival commercial towns to embark in en-
terprises, the effect and the object Of
which is not to accommodate the public.
but TO break down rival town, and TO
destroy the interests of the State In
works already constructed? Is not the
history Of our legislation replete with ex-
amples of this kind? Have we not seen
Norfolk aud Portsmouth struggling a.
gainst each other, and making the State
subservient TO their sectional purposes
First, Norfolk gels canal through the
Dismal Swamp, then Portsmouth OBJ
tains railroad to the Rsanoke. Then
Norfolk comes, in order TO counterbal-
ance this, with an application for the
Edenton road, and next Isuppose Ports
mouth will require some countervailing
scheme. The same feeling has been ex-
hibited between Petersburg. Norfolk
and Richmond. Already we have two
likes of Improvement made, and another
projected, where one would have been
all sufficient, and in the mean time other
sections Of the state, which stand most
in need Of Improvements, are entirely
neglected, because they have not
stake to enable them to enter into this
game of speculation and plumber. Off.
GERS and agents, and engineers, and ex-
penSes Of transportation, are multiplied.
The State is brought into competition
with herself. and the profits are dividend
and subdivided. until little or nothing
is received into the Treasury from all
the enormous expenditures OF the public
money. Rich districts OF country mo-
nopolize all the benefits of the lusd, be-
cause they can afford to invest the three
ffths, whilst the West, whose resources
are locked up. is left destitute of all the
benefits ola Judicious system of improve
meat.
Upon the State principle, this state of
things could never occur. 1.-THE appro-
pria:ions were made directly out OF the
fund the Legislature would be more eau
tious in making their Investments
They would exercise sound discretion
on the subject. They would make only
those which seemed to be required by
the public interests, and which promised
a reasonable return upon the investment.
They would make no work which was
calculated to break down those in exis-
tence. There would be no danger oil
those fluctuations in the value Of prop
erty, which are now constantly follow
ing the fluctuations in the system-ol
rather, tue want of system, in our pub.
lie improvements. The State would
never be made her own competitor.
Tbsre would be no such multiplication
of officers, and 10 such unnecessary ex-
penses as now exist on the various lines.
When an improvement is suggested, the
eyes Of every body will be turned to it
and its merits and dement's fairly can.
vassed.
But how different is the operation oil
the partnership principle Sir, it is at
oGious principle. 1t is sly, insidious
tbieviug principle Its approaches tc
the Treasury are imperceptible. 1t Sc
cretly and silently steals lis march upor
US, and plumbers the Treasury Of it,
stores, before we are aware of its ap
Proach . One gentleman brings forward
one project, aud another gentleman a
Dother. All they ask is the two-Gfths
This, under the general principle, they
are entitled to. The House acquiesces
and nothing more is thought of it
Presently pay day comes, and we fine
the Internal improvement fund bank
rupt
Is this the fiction Of the imagination, Nj
Speaker, or is ii a melancholy fact? Let III