The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1844-07-12

will surely prefer to walk down stairs, and not
spring over the bannisters and fly from the top to
the bottom at singleleap. In giving my vote for
these bills Iwas governed by what verify believ-
ed to be your will and wishes, and it would be
strange, indeed, if nearly all the eastern democrat
ic members mistook the will and wishes of their
Constituents.
Another subject which occasioned very great
excitement in the House Of Representatives, was
our, so called,
INTERNAL IMPROVEMENT SYSTEM.
Many circumstances tended to render the de-
bates on this subject exciting and animated. Our
taxation is burthensome and oppressive to the last
degree. From the manner in which our financial
affairs have been managed, no one man, perhaps,
in the State, knows the exact amount OF our canal
debt, at present 1t certainly is in the neghbor-
hood OF twenty millions Of dollars. This is beyond
all comparison the most oppressive and burden
some public debt of which the people of Ohio
have had any experience. The easier and richer
means of payment afforded by the custo ms and the
public lands, to the general government, would
make debt of four hundred millions set as lightly
on the whole Union, as debt of twenty millions
does on Ohio; national debt at the close OF the
late war amounted to about one hundred and thir-
ty millions and was considered heavy. shall not
here enter into the abstract question whether
public work, canal or road, for instance, may
or may not be of such general importance as to
deserve to be undertaken by the State. Certain it
is, that until human nature changes, the State will
have to pay immeasurably higher for the same
amount of work than an individual or company
would. But we need not puzzle ourselves with
any such questions, for most of our so called pub
lie works have no pretensons TO general impor-
ance, nor have they any real pretensions to actual
local importance-they are mere worthlesa specu-
lations.
Will the State undertake to make canals, rail-
roads, turnpkes and bridges for every county in
the State? AS well might the counties undertake
to make them for themselves; it cannot be done,
THE THING IS IMPOSSIBLE. Then shall the
State take the treasure and the means of all the
counties, and make canals, railroads, turnpikes and
bridges in few counties' 1t ought not to be done,
IS UNJUST.
l expressly decline a consideration at this time
Of the question whether any work can be of sufii-
cient public importance to deserve to be construct
ed by the State. But do most unhesitatingly
announce the principle that State cannot right
fully enter upon system of local improvements.
There is no fear that this doctrine will prove false
or mischievous. Truth is great and will prevail.
This principle will win its way to universal accep-
tance, whatever may become of its humble advo-
cate. Or if it should fail, increasing debt, increas-
ing taxes, increasing looseness of public morals,
together with the bloated wealth of spectators,
garnered from the sweat Of toiling millions, and
secret solicitation and back-door intrigue, with the
members of the General Assembly and finally base
repudiation will mix up for the peoples lips such
a cup OF bitterness as will make them regret its
overthrow. Ought not the blessings and burdens
of the government to be uniform? Can there be
any doubt about this principle? When seven hun.
dred and thirty dollars are taken from the State
treasury to pay the salary of Judge, no one has
any right to complain, for court is held and con
troversies are settled and peace is in some measure
preserved in every county in the State. But when
seven million three hundred thousand dollars are
taken out of the State treasury to be employed ii
some windy speculation in the central and western
counties, what benefit accrues to the eastern ant
northern counties? Let no man object that thest
prin ciples would prevent internal improvement
from being constructed, they would only change
the mode of construction from the boundles
wasefuness and extravaganza of the State system
to the frugaity and economy of private enterprise
If proposed work is likely to prove profitable
the sagacity of private capitalists and companie
will soon make the discovery of that fact, and if
is likely 10 be mere windy speculation ought tn
whole body of tax payers to be subjected to loss
Entertaining these sentiments, as some of tn
eastern members did, it is not surprizing that tn
debates on this subject in the house of representa-
tives became in high degree, earnest and aDima
ted 1t was brought to our attention in grea
many shapes, such as claims for allowances, 70
materials taken for construction and for appropria
tions. The largest appropriation asked for, was t
construct an extension of the Walhonding cana
from its present termination at Roscoe in the coun
ty of Coshocton, to Mt. Vernon in the county O
Knox. This work was pronounced by the boar
of public works in lS4l to be finished, and it ha
been finished far as the original design extended
II cost the State government more than six hundTe
thousand dollars, and of course the annual interes
on the outlay is nearly thirty-seven thousand dol
lars; it makes return in tolls of eight hundred an
thirty seven dollars!! Two other branches of thi
concern were also proposed, one to Loudonvill
in Richland county, and one to Miersburg. Blu
the Mt. Vernon branch was proposed to be con
structed first, and its construction was urged wit
all the ardor of self interest Each one of tn
three branches would be about as long and woul
probably cost as much as the original work, an
intelligent men were confident in the opinion ths
they would produce very little better return oil
the capital invested, Influenced by these conside
rations, felt it my duty as your representative,