Indiana State sentinel., 1845-04-10

Erie, by way of Maumee Bay, with the Ohio River
at Evansville. Of this important Canal three hun
dred and fifty miles already finished, or means
provided to finish the commencing at either extrem-
ity, and gap of about one hundred miles, lying on
the line between Terre Haute and Evansville, re.
mains incomplete; on which, however, the State
pended before she abandoned the undertaking, upwards
of quarter of a million of dollars. About a mil
hon and quarter more Is required to complete the
entire work and that sum can ut Is reasonable to
beeye) be raised from the lands granted for the pur-
pose.
It is the opinion of some OF those who are familiar
with the subject and specially enefested in the result,
that the proceeds of this Canal (wihin State
line) when finished and in full operation will suffice
to paw one half the interest on the foreign debt of In
diana. If acting upon this belief, the bond holders
shall consent receive the nett proceeds OF that Ca
nal, annually apportiored among them and yearly IN
creasing in amount they surely would in full
liquidation Of one-half the annual interest accruing
OIL the foreign debt, it Is my firm conviction that l-
diana would forthwith permanently provide by law for
direct tax, sufficient TO pay the other half About
twentyseven and half cents on the hundred dollars
of her present taxable list (netting about S275OOO)
would suffice fer that purpose and and half
cents more produces about S75CC0) would pay the
interest in full on her domestic debt making in all
tax of three mills and half on the dollar; very
heavy, 1t must be confessed but yet half mill less
than that already submitted to in 1S4l and think
not exceeding Nndt lne peOpIe IL uiel iclt us>uiCu II
would effect the purpose, would be willing to bear
especially, if, by improved management on the
part of the several County boards the per centage for
County purposes were reduced as ii well might be-
To meet such contingency. A poll tax probably Of
sixtyfve, certainly Of seveny-ve cents, would suf
ce with other small revenues accruing yearly to the
State TO defay the expenses Of the State Government
1t is proper should add, that these are but my In
dividual opinions; given without any consultation
with our State authorities, with members OF our
Legislature. speak but from my general knowledge
of public sentiment Indiana and of the strong de-
sire felt by her citizens to rescue from reproach hith-
erto unmcrted the fair fame Of their young State.
believe, that the arrangement have suggested would
] be- on the part of the bond holders and in view OF
the peculiar features of the case but fair and Just,
believe from the important character of Canal,
connecting it does the Lakes with the Mississippi,
that though at first its revenues might fall somewhat
short Of the amount necessary to complete the full
tereSt; ultimately their increase would make up the
deficiency Ard believe, that the Legislature of our
State if such a proposal were definitely made would
consent set apart the Canal proceeds for such a
purpose pedgmg them to it, until the principal is
paid up and would pass the farther revenue laws
necessary carry out the entire PLAN
In conclusion, permit me TO express the hope that
those journalists who have attacked, in vague terms
without knowledge regard to the facts of the
the honor and character of Indiana, will do her, at
least the simple Justice to state to their readers that
this State, so harshly abused home and vil.ied
abroad as culpable and careless defauer has regu-
ary imposed upon her citizens direct taxes to such
amount that she has been enabled to set apart and
has apart and appropriated since she first In
CURED her debt t1O dollars out Of euery three deireo
from her entire tdreS, to the payment of her State
debt l am, Sir, your obt servt,
ROBERT DALE OWEN.