Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1842-01-13

4
! Ject, will inquire as to whom should bear thu
burden of the cost of this Improvement
! showed, as thought conc.u ;ively, in mr.
first letter, that Siaunton and the western por.
ton of the State generally, were deeply inter
ested in this subject. That Scottsville aud
Richmond are equally interested,i is too evident
to require demonstration. But as these places
all will admit, in the present embarrassed col-
dition OF the currency, are wholly unable 70
execute this work, the query arises as to
whether the combined interests of so many in
portant portions of the State do not render Ut
the interest of the State herself, and make IL
obligatory upon he- to provide for its accon-
plshment.
But two plans at all worthy of consideration
present themselves. Tho one increasing The
capital to ss125,000, and providing iif.tt rs,c
State should provide three. fifths of it. The
other is, that the State should purchase the
$4,000 at present owned by individuals and
prosecute the work herself.
The first of these plans believe .impracti-
cable. | do not believe that by any effort $780,
600 could now be obtained in Virginia for the
prosecution of any specific improvement. The
subscription, however, may be made OH such
terms Ms tn give to individuals some little time
Tor raising their portion of the capital, and the
work Tor the present may be prosecuted on the
State proportion. This may succeed.
The second plan, however, is the best, and
the most proper. Whether we view the State
as the guardian OF the interests of so large
portion OF her population, as a stakeholder in
the James River and kanawha Canal, or as the
proprietor of the Saunton s. Parkersburg Road.
she must be viewed in an attitude rendering it
her duty and her interest to secure the compile
ton of this work.
To the James River and Kanawha Canal.
there can be no tributary so important as this,
unless 1t may he the Southwestern road. OF
the fully 10000 tons which will, as have
shown, pass over this road, at least 10000
now seek, land will continue, until this improve
men! IS made, to seek some other route These
lO,O0O tons would pay two dollars toll on the
canal each, and thus would $4,000 be gain
ed, the greater portion of which will come in
to the Golfers of the State If the amount thus
contributed by this Improvement added 10
its rercnue proper, it will be seen at once the
enormous per cen,age the State will annually
receive upon this investment of $4,000.
AS the proprietor of the Stanton and Park
ersburg road, policy would also dictate a gem
erous course towards this improvement. Over
that road wagons will be able to transport
something like ton more than for large por-
ton of the year they can carry to Scottsvle
The consequence will be that instead of COM
ing to that place the trade will pursue the iIar-
| rlsonburg and Valley RoaG,ani Baltimore will
derive the benefits resulting from the expendi-
ture in that direction.
Has Virginia been so liberal TO others tina,
she cannot now be Just to herself? Not con-
tent with giving to the Union several States
from her noble domain, not content with civ
ing $ 100000 to the Baltimore and Ohio Rail-
road to build up the rival of her own cap
ital,s has contributed largely to bring with
IN our very heart road TO sap the commerce
of our fertile valley, and now when asked to
give her own citizens but fair and equal COM
petition for the business oftheir S-ate she
points to the Treasury she has titus er,p,ied
and bids them to be quiet She cannot afford
to give to the West and the Southwest roads
that would become like rivers of wealth to
her own time-honored capital, and that would
render Richmond, rather than it's rival, the
commercial emporium, not only of her own,
but of surrounding States.
NO sectional or personal interest has guild
ed my mind to the conclusions it has reached
on this subject. Six years constant, varied
and arduous practice of the profession of en-
glneerlng has given me an opportunity Of judg-
ing OF the utility and importance Of an inn
provement such as this. But have now a.
bandoned that profession, and with it must
have abandoned every motive that could exert
the slightest improper influence on my judg-
ment. My only effort now is to strive TO serve
the State that long gave me employment, by
applying the information, which her liberality
enabled me to obtain, to the exposition of a
measure which, in my humble Judgment would
contribute to her welfare and prosperity. IN the
failure or success of that effort, personally, /
have no interest. l.. H. B.
RICHMOND. 9th Dec, 1871.
1ND1ANA.-The Yevay Statesman Of the 23d