The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-03-16
HARoLD.
Correspondence of the Madisonian.
PHILADELPHIA, March II, l84l

PHILADELPHIA, March H. l84l.
Should Mr.. Sergeant accept the profleIed mission
England there will be vacancy to gil In the city
Congressional ticket II will be difficult to supply it
with a proper man There is remarkable indifIer-
to public life among first lawyers and leading
citizens The Philadelphia bar ranks among the first
in the Union not only for the legal acumen and at
tainments Of its MEMBERS but for bold and persua
sive eloquence which would command great influence
in Congress. The leading lawyers however confine
themselves to their profession and il is with much diff
fculty that they be induced to participate in
our state municipal legislation. But few men, in
such short period Of service in Congress have attain
ed more influence, evnced higher order of states
man qualities than Horace Bnney, yet, notwthstand
ing the great reputation he obtained he withdrew after
the first term has he since entered public life.
Several of leading advocates could be named,
whose services would be highly beneficial to the coun
try in the higher sphere of Congressional life, could
they be drawn out Of the forunemaking attractions of
the profession or the quiet charms Of private life
friendly feeling here prevails to the young men,
They the working class of the party here, and in
the last election displayed prodgious activity in the
organization, drilling and fighting. Some of the most
and the of the party in the State was mater-
ally promoted by their exertons, which were given
with less Of partisan feeling than of generous zeal for
public good The silly prejudice against young men
dcprives the public Of able and experienced legislators
early trained in the halls of State Legislatures
be useful statesmen. The best of statesmen are
those who entered public life when young, for it is
profession in which much is to be gained by expert
ence and study in any other 1t would not be safe
however to court public favor for any but those whose
ambition is based upon the indispensable qualifications
of character, talent, and attainments.
No healing measure has yet been acted upon by the
Legislature It maniests an extraordinary apathy
" hch by means corresponds with the painful
| anxiety manifested by the constituent body. Besides
the extension Of relief the banks provision must be
made to the obligations falling due in the coming
summer The July interest Of $4,000 and $780,
600 of principal falling due the LIST of June, making
the round of 100 900, TO be provided for To
pay those sums a new loan must be obtained as there
is hardly sufficient time to defray it by taxation This
loan will not easily be obtained Taxation is the only
resource ei to sustain the credit of the State. All
parties seem be Of opinion to the necessity
scheme of general taxation which shall fall light.
w as possible upon those hDlc 10 peaI ", Dut
which shall be broad and comprehensive enough %
meet the wants of the State, by the payment of the
obligations falling due, and the creation Of sinking
fund for the gradual extinction of the public debt
/ The public works are a great burden to the State
They are wretchedly managed, and used by poll
teal parties rather engines Of party success, than
for their legitimate ends The State works, particu-
ary the Columbia railroad proverbal for the
negligent condition in which they are kept II would
be much better for the public interests, and would re-
lease from most proftiess Improvements, wee the
State dispose of all its canals and railroads to private
companies either by lease sale, under an obligation
to be enforced by forfeiture, to keep them IN good
order, and always open for travel and trade And
yet, evden, as is the folly of taxing the people fol
works which do pay, and feasible are the means
of sustaining them without losing their advantages