Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1840-1842, 1841-04-08
soUTH-WESrER.NT TURNPIKE ROAD.
Al. CROpPER said-

appropriated. L cannoi, Tor the Ihe OF me' "'
Speaker, see how these two votes can be reconcil
ed, and should like for gentlemen TO inform me
IL will be remembered that, some weeks since,
predicted that many Of those who were so ready c
vote away the money, would, when the tax OIL
should come up, vote against II, or dodge the ques
ton The vote on the engrossment oil that bll
shows that was not mistaken.
This bill proposes TO subscribe, the part Of tn,
State, forty-two thousand dollars, TO construct q
turnpike road in the South Western portion OF th'
State; when, too, 1t is known that the Treasury II
not only empty, but that there already exists
large deficiency and, moreover, that the taxes vii
have TO be raised about twenty i've per cent &c
meet that deficiency. In this state of our finances
will not stop to discuss the merits OF this b but
shall vote against every appropriation which Is not
absolutely necessary, or such as public interest and
economy require.
When, sir | saw the vote on the tax bill, and
knew that many who voted against II had voted Tor
the loan and subscription 10 tho Valley turnpike,
the gentleman from Southampton and myself OBJ
tanned a list of those members, and determined to
call the attention Of the House to the vote, that
those gentlemen might have an opportunity to eS-
plain. il they chose, the reasons for such course.
As il is not in order to call gentlemen by name, |
will call down the list, naming only the counties
whose REPRESENTATIVES voted as have stated The
first in order, the representative from Allegheny,
who voted for the loan and subscription to the VAL
ley turnpike, against the tex bill, and will vote for
this bill. Next, is the senior delegate IRON the good
y favoured than any in the SIate-and IT is an old
saying here, that if Augusta wants an appropra.
ton, she never fails TO get IT, inns gentleman vo-
ted like the gentleman from Aieshany, ana am
sure will vote for this bill. BraXton and Lewis
ted I'm the same way, ami will vote for this BILL
Fiyetie and Nicholas took noble stand by the side
Of Braxon and Lewis. Floyd comes TO the rescue,
and votes against taxing the dear people. Now
comes the delegate from Frederick, with liberal and
expansive views, who voted for the appropriation
and loan TO the Winchester road, and against rails
ing the money to pay for it; but how he will now
vote cannot say as the road does not run through
Frederick. Giles and Mercer, and Grayson, also
vote strong for appropriations, and against raising
the money Logan votes against taxes. Mo.
nongalia, too, always at her post, sustains her
friends, for appropriations, and against taxes
Patrick, too, will vote tor this bill; but not for
taxes-oh no The junior member from Rocking
ham, OF course, voted for the Valley bill, against
taxes; and now he will vote on this BILL will not
TO say, part OF this road goes through
his portion of the tenth legion. Now, Mr.. Speak
er, comes the delegate from Russell, consistent Of
course, but voted, like these other gentlemen, for
appropriations, and against paying them; to be
more consistent, OF course he will vote for this bill
Scott alphabetically follows Russell in voting; she
has, and Oh this bill will be found at her side. Last
comes my friend from Smyth, who votes, like the
rest for contracting debts. but against providing the
means TO pay them.
have here stated, Mr. Speaker, what the Journal
will sustain me in; the position occupied by
these gentlemen, | have nothing to say; let the
House and the country judge. | should be glad,
though, If some of them shall change their deter
limitations and vote against this bill.
When was last up, Mr. Speaker, / did not Go
the gentleman from Monroe Justice, for neglected
10 mention that he, too, who believe scarcely ever
votes against bills OF this kind, voted against the
ongroSsment Of the tax bill, but votes literally and
of course, will vote for thiS bill / neglected, also,
70 notice the gentlemen from Norfolk County and
Borough who voted like these gentlemen, "bul re-
quest me TO say, that the inequality OF the BILL
being per cent more on slaves than lands, caused
them TO vote as they did" Western gentlemen are
deprived of this excuse for they voted for this diff
ference. The gentleman from Richmond City is
correct in saying, that the Ant-lRternal Improve.
ment Party, in this House, have thrown themselves
IN the path of those who wish 10 carry on grand
systems Of improvement. Yes, sir, they have OPP
posed and successfully, TOO, many Of the wild and
Utopian Schemes Of enthusiasts, who advocat ewith
equal yea, every bill and scheme, without regard to
Their merits. You remember, sir, the famous South
western Railroad Scheme, which our Engineer esti-
mated TO cost five millions dollars, and all that are
not Dlnd with the internal Improvement mania,
must believe it would have cost five times five mil
lions. These gentlemen supported that scheme,
contending chat II would be n profitable investment,
yielding twelve To twenty-five per cent. Yes, sir
System OF Common Schools to be established,
the people we've not TO be taxed again, after this
grand system Of Improvement should be completed.
Alter a second sober thought, there is scarcely
one who is not convinced Of the entire imprac,cabl-
hty OF the scheme. Yes, sir, the nntl-enthusast
did oppose this scheme, and will ever be found in
opposition TO such visionary and Improbable
schemes.
assert il as fact, which no one will deny that
had these gentlemen possessed The power to carry
their Wild schemes through this House, al this day
the State would be bankrupt.
Had il not been for the miserable og rolling sys-
tenn which is rcsored 10 in this House to carry
fhrort oh MT he
sary TO increase our taXes-yes, we should have
been in the condition of Maryland and Pcnnsylva
mia, begging TO borrow money to pay the interest
on State debt. er, there is a debt Of gratitude
due to those Who so nobly threw themselves in the
breach, and saved the good old Commonwealth from
disgrace and bankruptcy. They were denounced
contracted, narrow minded and illIbera because
they refused TO give into nc mad, ridiculous and
tr1vagant projects Of gentlemen. IL u, indeed,
be, high minded, liberal, and evidence Of eYpan.
sive views, for gentlemen who pay nothing them
selves 10 sit here and vote away the money of those
who pay their very expenses as delegates. Sir,
ask " there has been any evidence Of that spirit Of
hberality OF which gentlemen boast, "a the system
OF Internal Improvement pursued IN this Statel-
No, sir; the woes Of members have TO be bought by
Offering them boon, such as mud turnpikes,
MacadamiZed road, or a small rail roid-and this is
called liberal and expansive say it's this log
rolling which has brought the Internal Improvement
system OF the State into disrepute. THIS ridiculous
two-hihs system Is one Of the chief reasons why
the immense amount Of eight millions of dollars
spent by the State, ~ now yielding not more than
thiry thousand instead Of four hundred and eighty
thousand dollars. IL is fact known to this House.
that several Of the roads constructed on this two
fifth principle have actually grown up green, and
can now scarcely be found; and yet - said when
the people Of a county have 10 be taxed to pay two
or thrce-fiths ofthe amount, they will construct
Improbable works DO not gentlemen know that
they do not in reality pay one do.lar1 But relieve
the three.hihs from the State, and pay the two.
hllhs IN labor on the work-then il Is no guarane,
that these schemes will be practicable or jUdcIous
because two hfths are taken by the people Of th'
counties. Mr. Speaker. had the energies and re-
sources Of the State been concentrated and judi
ciously applied, we would not now have had such
beggarly return the report Internal Improve
meut shows. IL a habit, Mr. Speaker, for gentle.
men on this hoor TO be continually undertaking and
drawing OdiOus comparisons between Virginia and
other States Of the Union. Now, sir I am sick and
tired Of H.. Does the greatness Of n State consist
alone IN the number Of its population For IT Thu
~ the test grant you other States have increased
more rapidly than this State. But, ST. ! am GLAD
60 see that Virginia has not like Ohio, been lille,
and oveuUn with Yankees and the scurf and tn
refuse population Of foreign countries ! want M
such population-and am glad 70 soy that in M
county, which ~ one Of the most aOurishng M Oh
STATE there is scarcely Yankee OF foreigner 70 b
found. Sir, Virgins Is hot behind the other State
her exports exceed those Of any other State II
The course Of tfade that is 20 disadvantage ous
Virginia-the immense amount We pay TO Il
Nonh, IN the way Of profits on all We consume, ia