The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1838-02-01

And Is il not equally just and proper nat each aeIe
~ branch canal should snloy .he sssns
tolls collected On the branch may MOI he citizens
hive ~ fir claim 10 The tolls Of the eastern section,
from the point where the branch iniersee's me man
canal as the residents on the seetloh oi the Eile
lying west OF The junction. ,.,., M. .
no one. Ii we look TO the west1 we mad Them M
fnitey benefited beyond their powerto repay ana,
if we turn TO the east, we mud them enjoying pros
perity, produced BY these works iar pcyohu lneir
most sanpsuine expectations Il IS then question OF
Slste policy alone uncoDneeted with local right and
must be decided with view 70 lhe ln'eIesl ana
necessity OF the whole, .,,,.tls
IL Is important in a local ana hati0nai Tom, Oh
view that intercourse should be as lightly taxed as
The means OF The country viii permits and there
fore propose thai no bnrihen be imposed upon our
canals beyond what is required 10 pay costs and ex-
penses and that at no time, aud under no Prtience,
Shall The fund hereafter obtained py los 1e applied
10 any other purpose, And that the Tolls may be
Immediately reduced, recommend ihai me pay
ment of all debts which have been or shaii DC con-
tracted be postponed TO long PERIOD moi exceed
ing twenty years, as possible, ~ ~,
liz this course IS adopted the tolls on all our canals
EN- be reduced more than fifty per cent, and con-
seauenlly In few years our trade VIII increase SO
as 10 enhance the aggregate amount oil lois 10 sum
beyond what Is now collected. -
Il positively true, as experience mas SHOWN, .hat
by decreasing the rate Of toll business on the canals
increases And at this time, when our neighbors
are striving with us for the western trade, redue
lion OF tolls will be like deepening The channel OF
one OF our outlets TO the waters OF The lakes, the
deepest cut would take the largest body OF water,
and eventually, perhaps, leave The other dry
By posponing the debts, and placing The tolls at
the lowest possible rate for few years, We shall
be able TO compete successfully with all competitors,
and ultimately pay all the debts which are or shall
be contracted for Internal improvements.
If The revenues from our public works are exci,l-
svely applied TO the payment Of charges against me
General Internal Improvement Fund, me ciilzens
Of State will look 10 these works as The source
from which money is 10 be Obtained 10 extend and
perpetuate this system. Ard when legislation Is
required 10 extend this important interest TO the
remote sections Of The State no apprehensions will
be felt BY any member that while he is listening TO
reason and doing justice, he may be depriving his
constituents Of the spoils which they would chain
by distribution of the surplus tolls.
An OVERLOOKING treasury Is The greatest curse that
can befall republic, end am DESTROYS thai every
dollar that is not reeded by Government shall be
left in the pockets of the people the least coTruptng
and most safe deposite .or surplus money. Money
should be called for only when wanted, and am
sure the plan now presented will secure the revenues
from loss.
, hope have made myself understood in the fore.
going pages, and | assure you shall feel much
graifed il should be in The least Instrumental in
promoting the great interests of this State
BY adopiingthis plan youwl simplify the account
procure an equitable, permanent annual revenue
or otate eAPehSes,-lhe INTERNAL Improvements VIII
be released from the danger of an excessive tax
for other purpoSes,--the Stale will be relieved from
the expense Of unproduclive improvements the
accounts OF the State can be balanced annually
the surplus fund can be annually applied 10 the
Education fund, the system of internal improve.
ment can be extended every section of The Slate
legislation on this subject will not be governed by
sectional feeling the tolls our canals can be ma
teriay reduced, and the amount of our trade great
y increased.
IL. ac
eter in which you ask my opinion on the subject Of
exchange and finance, which shall BE- applicable TO
the great commercial and trading interests of our
Stale.
! am, with great consideration and respect
Your obi seryt,
/ SaAs NJ STiLwELL