The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1844-01-19


The Camai---ConycninG OF tho Legislature.
We have seen the proposition urged from va
rious quarters Of late that Gov. Ford should, as
speedily as possible, convene tho legislature Of
this state for the purpose Of acting on the arrange
mcni with the foreign bondholcrs to complete
our canal, and in relation to the proposed tax.
BY New York papers VIC observe that n paper,
urging such n course upon our governor has been
extensively circulated in that city, and signed by
persons holding land in Illinois, who express their
willingness TO submit to ony tax that may be re-
quired to restore the crcd, and honor Of the state
and secure the completion Of the canal. Now,
with hue Difference to tho many respectable indi-
viduals who have urged this course, we must be
permitted TO express our opposition to it in toi0.
Besides that il is not asked nor expected by the
bondholdrrs we think the proposition objection
able on many other grounds. 1t would DO sub.
jecting the people to great and useless expense,
which they arc at present little able to bear But
We find in late number Of the New York Herald
the objections to The proposition fully and clear
"thtNhi Ati"h W. ~ oINN N"IJ INHlhlhn VI t'
Herald os expressing our views exactly, and in
much ablct manner than we could do it ourselves.
The Herald says; "Thero exists quito difference
IN the opinion Of those friendly to the successful
termination Of The Illinois & Michigan canal, as
10 the policy Of calling the assembly together for
this purpose. The regular session of the IcssIa-
turc comes round next winter, and that will be the
proper time TO Introduce the subject 10 the repre-
sen,atives Of the people. !, would also be good
policy to commence tho work bring on the hun
dfeds Of laborcrs settle them on the canal Gre
ate a market for the produce Of the farmers on tho
spot give the people tho best proof that there is
some carnestncss about the business; give them
time to think over the business, and receive the
first fruits Of the enterprise even in the sale Of
bushel of wheat or a peck Of potatoes, and there
will no, be much doubt Of the ultimate success Of
the whole undertaking. Obtain all the money tho
bondholders are willing to advance; 60 on the
ground and go TO work, commence in the middle
and work both ways as Clinton did on the Erie
canal, make your money go as far as possible, and
the people of Illinois will seo the work finished.
There is not sufficient cause to induce the COVER
nor TO ca, special session Of the legislature, aud
wo trust he viii not do so. The second sober
Thought Of the people is invariably the wiscs,
The people have no evidence at present that the
bondhoIdcr Of Europe will actually carry out the !
conditions required. Before they ara saddlcd
with an additional tax, with their present heavy
expenses, they demand occular demonstration
that they will not DO taxed without a considcu.
ton. The amount oftaxablc property in the state
reaches nearly ninety millions Of dollars. a |
very tunng tax on this will produce the amount
necessary to finish the canal, with what the bond.
holders advance. The citizens of Illinois know
Their own interest sufficiently well to do all IN
their power to protect it. They only require
sufficient time to inform Themselves of the why .
and wherefore. Governor Ford kaows the rcsour-
ces Of his state, and if left to his own good judg-
ment and no, hamsscd and run down 10y a host
OF land spectators, whose advice is governed by !
a, The emergency Of the case requires. There has
been circulated quite extensively in this city cir.
cular for the signatures Of those owning land in !
Illinois, % Governor Ford, callingon him to con-
veno the legislature as speedily as possible, SO
60 settle the question ut the earies, moment
This document will pass FOR what |, is worth in
the opinion Of tho executive Of tho state, and we
feel confident hc will not be swaycd hy It's tenor.
a premature, has,y step a, this moment may DIES. |
troy the whole business. and annul tho Efforts of
the commissioners. who have spen, months in |
bringing TO perfection their instructions. Col |
Oakley is u, present in this city, dcvoting his
whole time to this subject and iurhering the best
interest Of the State in every possible manner.
The arguments used in favor OF an immediate scss.
lon Of tho legislature arc, that the present mem
bers are more intimately acquainted with the his.
tory OF the question, and tho plan to complete
the canal. aud pay oil the pubic debt, which was
introduced ny tho members tia, would compose
any assembly called before next winter. This
view Of the subject ia souud bu, the population Of
Illinois arc alone the judges of what il expedien,
aud what ia not; iflhey err the consequences fall
on their heads. They have laid before them the
most feasible and economical plan, to enable them
TO pay OF the bulk Of their public debt, aud to re.
eeive the full benefit Of their internal improve.
inenis.
n fNArHAsfrt BrLcuEn, Esq, Of the sixth
district, declines The nomination 81 a wing presi-