Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1840-12-10

accomplished in the short time of their exis-
tence, particularly as many Of them are yet
struggling with difficulties incident to new
experiments. 1t is gratifying to perceive that
many OF them are increasing their usefulness
and their profits, and we may hope that with
additional zeal, they will yet realize the ex-
pectations they have excited, when the vari-
GUS links are complete which will connect the
chain of our northern, and southern. and our
eastern and western commerce. The large
amount of stock held by the State in these
companies. and the heavy liabilities incurred
ON Their account, suggest the necessity OF
lending them all the indulgence and aid in
our power, TO sustain and render them pro-
ductive. In a financial point Of view alone,
this would be proper, where there is reasona-
BILE ground to expect, that works which yi0ld
nothing now, could be made productive by
the fostering care Of the State. Though it is
time that we should Loo k closely to the pro-
ductve capacities of our stocks, still tho gen.
eral effects of the system of improven ent can
not be estimated in dollars and cents. These
lines OF communication serve to strengthen
every tie which unites us as citizens of the
same State, and as citizens of the Union
They are calculated net only TO convert the
rude Wilderness into cultivated farms and
beautiful hamlets, but to temper the unsocial
passions which solitude and secluscn are too
apt TO cherish in the human bosom. Every
highway is 4 school, where man learns that
he violates the first law of his nature when
he lives only for himself, and his intelligence,
and his virtue expand with his social rcla-
tons.
refer you TO the report Of the beard Of
public works for the details of the last years
operations. Great Inconvenience is felt from
the lrregularity Of the reports from many Of
the companies, and from the imperfect manner
In which others are made out.
Accompanied by the second auditor, (who
possesses an Intimate and accurate knowledge
oil our plans of education and improvcn!ent)
visited during the year, he Dismal Swamp
canal, the Portsmouth and Roanoke raj -road.
the Petersburg railroad, the City Point rail-
road. the Richmond and Petersburg railroad,
the Louisa railroad, the Valley turnpike, the
north western turnpike, the turnpike from
Guyandotte 10 Covington, besides several
minor improvements, which are either com
plete, or i'll progress of execution. The Dis
NAL Swamp canal, connecting as it does by a
beautiful and well constructed work, the
waters of .4Dem0rle sound with these of the
Chesapeake, is destined to open TO our great
seaport of the south, the valuable trade cf
that portion ofNorM Carolina which lies noith
OF Cape Fear river, and in connection with
our railroads, to bind the hitherto intimate
relations of that State with our own still more
lndIssolubly together. The Valley turnpike
is nearly complete, and will contribute con-
siderably TO the tonnage of the Winchester
and Potomac railroad. I: is n McAdamizcd
road, species of Improvement, better adapt
ed to the accommodation Of our internal trade,
and to the habits Of our farmers, than the
more expensive transportation of tho rail-
road and i would recommend its extension
through the Valley and to the Tennessee line,
as soon as our resources can again be brought
into active requisition. The southwestern
part OF our State is entitled to an improve
ment adequate to its own intrinsic Importance,
and to the superior advantages it possesses as
the nearest route of trade and Aave from our
sea board to Tennessee, and to the States be-
You'd it. The Richmond, Frederick sburg
and Potomac railroad company are making
vigorous efforts to complete their line between
the RarpahannOck and Potomac, which will
add very much to their income, and to the
public accommodation. he northwestern
turnpike = an enterprise in every respect
worthy of the State. 1t stretches from the
termination of the Winchester and Potomac
railroad TO ParhersJurg On the Ohio, through
country formerly almost inaccessible, but
now increasing rapidly in population and
wealth. 1t is becoming productive work,
and its usefulness would be greatly increased
by being capped at some points with stone.
The James river and Kanawha company are
urging forward their great work, and the ca
nal having been opened nearly to Lynch5rg,
we are warranted in the anticipation that the
tolls will soon disembarrass the company,
and contribute very much to aid the future
operations of the State. A large amount of
the scrip used by this company has been
converted into bonds, to which the treasurer
has affixed the guaranty ofthe State, pursuant
to the act of 23d March, 1889; and as some
of these bonds have been sold in the market
under par, it is perhaps due to the company,
as we'll as the State, that the precise extent
of the commonwealth liability should be
more clearly known.
would recommend thorough eXamipa-
ton into the affairs of all our principal inter-
nal improvement companies, particularly into
their fiscal concerns. Their relations to the
State render it proper, in my estimation, that
they should be looked into with more precis-
ion than can generally be done through their
annual reports.
have visited our lunatic asylums, and was
gratiied to find them in good order and UNI
der an admirable system of management.-It
Is to be regretted, that so many of the unfor-
tunate class for whose benefit they are de-
signed, should be confined in als so long as
to incur great expense to the State, and to
render their cure more doubtful when they
are admitted to the hospitals. The common
wealth sustains considerable loss for want
of means to ensure collections from the es-
tates Of lunatics in the hands of committees.
feel bound to acknowledge the gratitude
which is due to the physicians and directors