Constantine republican. [volume] (Constantine, Mich.) 1836-1838, 1838-05-09
From the Monroe Times.
SPEECH OF Mr.. BUCKBEE.

SPEECH OF MIX. BUCkBEE.
We read somewhere once Of two pious
ncghbors who owned in partnership, a
niger, facetiously called "pomp." One
of these used to pray with mighty JUNCTION,
lord bless me, my wife, and my half of
pomp! This will serve apropos, TO intro.
duce the subject matter Of the remarks Of
Mr.. BUcKBEE, ofYpsilant, on motion to
ABANDON our system of Internal ImpoUe-
ments, especially the southern and northern
Railroads. We copy few Of his logical
remarks, which will sufficiently develope
the drift of his pretended economy -
"Sir, the advocates of this bill, (for con.
tinuing our projected improvements dare
not come out and place it on its merits be-
fore the House if they were willing to do
SO, they would say less about the plighted
faith ofthe state they would be willing 10
take the responsibility Of the bill upon
themselves, whereas now, they throw it
back upon the last legislature"
"What does this bill propose 1t pro-
poses 10 commence a work that will cost
the state some fifteen or twenty millions Of
dollars before it is completed. Sir, tho
subject is an awful one for the state.
| can perceive little or no good likely to re.
suit from this enormous expenditure ofmon-
ey, as by far the greater portion of it must
Immediately go ont Of the state to ray for
provisions and labor!
y
"But Sir, while gentlemen are turning
our minds towards our neigllboring states
for precedent, ask them for moment
TO look at tie condition of Pennsylvania.
She, Sir, was next to the State Of New
York, in point of wealth q population /:
where, sir, is she now? Keeling under
debt Of some twenty eight millions Of dollars,
and with no other means to cxtricate her.
self, than direct taxation upon her citizens
Taxation was resorted to, and it was enor-
nous, in order to keep down the interest"
Mem.-The State Of Pa. has expended
on her Railroads and Canals, twenty two
millions, two hundred and twenty nine
thousand dollars. Las: year these works
aggregately---fnished and unfinished,
brought clear revenue TO the state of
fraction less than foe per cent. on the cost.
The interest paid on these loans is five and
six per cent. none over sir!---thcrefore,
the balance raised by taxation will not be
enormous" Pennsylvania "reeling,"
forsooth: She IS "rcelng" onward to
greatness with giant strength and lightning
speed, and these Rip Van Wrinkles cannot
see that she is increasing her business in
an immense ratio-all thro' her almost un.
rivalled system Of internal improvements,
which in less than fifteen years will have
paid for themselves and become scource
Of vast and never failing revenue to the state.
Let Michigan take a lesson from Peansyl.
vanid.
Our readers are by this time prepared TO
enquire, from whence proceeds this utilitori.
an doctrin e-these, statesmanlke cogitations
this horror Of state improvements 0tsJ- mith
an exception :? Let the orotor answer.
81, sir, have expressed both in and out
Of this House, my opinion, freey--and in
that opinion, | have urged the policy Of fin
ishlng the CENTRAL ROAD, thirty miles Of
which is already completed, which connect
this place (Detroit) with Ypsilanti-which
is the place of MY RESIDENCE. 1t has
not been my policy to bring this road to a
stand at that place, (magnanmous) have
acted thus, because this road is good prop.
erty, and produces handsome revenue to
the state-and no doubt would do so,. if
completed from this place to the mouth of
the St. Joseph, the western terminus of tho
road"
There you have tour system entire, is
isionary--ruinous.-" scheme,
but conine it to the central road, which
passes through ''the place ofMY residence"
and it is all very well lit will not ruin us
entirely, but actually produce handsome
revenue to the state" Verify, "my half
Of pomp," is in safe hands.