Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1841-04-20
REM ARKS

REMARKS
Of .Hr. RIDLEY Of Southampton, on The Bill TO AK.
hori.e Lam TO The Richmond, Frcdcricksburg and
Potomac railroad Company.
MIR. SPEAKER Nothing hut sense of duty To
those whom represent, induces me, at this late period
in the session. TO trouble the House with any remarks
in opposition TO the bill under OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
have regarded this bill with anxiety and solictude
since its first introduction into the House, yet, Sir no
other consideration could have induced me again TO
list opposition the array talent always at the CON-
mand Of the Internal improvement interest OF the State
The opponents of these wild and visionary schemes
have always fought under every disadvantage, and
such fear, will be fate, till we receive the
aid of al least public journal We have not only
10 contend against the influence of this or that section
oil The State, but against the united strength of every
work that solicils the aid of the Legislature fac
tions strength is thus brought TO bear by that sys
TEN OF political logrolng that has become, regret to
say ii, too much the fashion of the times We have,
moreover 10 withstand the rebukes, the taunts, and
IRONY OF the leading journals Of the Commonwealth
But thank God these have terrors for me-All that
desire, is the confidence and approval Of those who
took me by the hand at early age, and placed ME
here to guard and protect their rights-and, help
God, tins am determined to do, to the best of my
ability, 50 long as am retained in their service.
care not how often am told that the honor this good
old Commonwealth IS involved in the continuation of
this great national line Of improvement-that argu-
mens derived from dollars and cents, ought TO be dis
carded as Questionable weak, and unslatesmanlike
1t may be so, Sir. But before give way to argu
mens like these, you must first satisfy of the pro-
prcty of establishing and fastening on the State a
large debt the forerunner of heavy taxation and con-
sequent embarrassment and distress to the people.
You must teach me, moreover, how to and atter
enlightened people into the belief that State pride
ought To induce them to submit TO heavy taxation,
merely to CRAFTY the eve and please the taste Of the
aristocrac traveller who may chance 10 pass through
the limits Of our State Teach me these fashionable
lessons, and may them perhaps listen TO your appeals
with patience aud orbearance. Till them Sir, must
be pardoned for pursuing the dictates OF my own rea
For verify believe, that the people have more
need of od-fashinned potcIans,--thosc who count
the cost and look 10 profts,-than gentlemen here
are willing to acknowledge. So believing, am deter
mined TO treat this question in the old fashioned way
am determined 10 look At figures and count the cost
Of the Improvement. am determined so far rs prac-
ticabe to ascertain whether the Investment is likely to
prove productive. have heretofore had occasion 10
point out the deceptive character Of the reports Of Pre-
sidents and Engineers annually made to the Legsa-
ture But, Sir, IN confirmation of my complaints,
beg leave call attention 10 the annual report OF the
President of this company In his report, he says: eli
they should be able add to these means by loan of
moderate amount, not probably exceeding Sl5o,OO0,
they may still have it in their power within year from
this time To complete their enterprise 10 the Potomac
From this, evident, that unless the friends of the
bill are mistaken the President has fallen short IN
his estimate lust one hundred thousand dollars !
think then, Sir that will be excused for examining
the question for myself without the aid of either the
President or the patrons of this bill IL will be con-
cededb by all that before profits arise, there must be
paid first the current expenses next interest on debts
Upon this proposition my argument mainly depends,
for care not how much stress is laid the one dol
lar bonus tax that is 10 be paid to the State as Sc
curty for The pnnctua payment Of interest on the loan
for it is evident that the investment will be bad one,
unless profits shall arise sufficient 10 pay not only the
neres: OH the loan but also the annual current ex-
penscs Of the road aud that the ability Of the company
will esscned precisely TO the amount Of the tax thus
abstraccd 50 that, far profits concerned, the
question al affected by this provision in the bill
Let us then look at facts
The Fredericksburg road cost last year for
current expenses, (see Crozets report0 Sl52.lM s.
II owes siGl ,63O S0-lnterest, 27,G97 Is
Add the interest of the $3.50 900, which