The Sumter banner. [volume] (Sumterville, S.C.) 1846-1855, 1848-12-20

ns@ aid them IN siihefrs slaa.
able entsrpri Il. "a 41e South Carol lissn
Rail Road haa bssn enmpte iaa ii,
ssyoroble progress; and on The high way
is l,ccesss most tering u those Who
have been en- gagged in us fnaIage etnsnts
slsit other than fair and; just, that the;
funds Of The State hay wing been used sEfo
contribute this desired end, should now
serve to favor otl.er companies having the
same claim 10 conside deration and support.
HE: trusted there fore, there would: /: Be an
end to that nnf nfounded allegation which
2goGg ito prejudice the bill by charging.
sitns q cal Ion the T Treasury for a money
appropriation. Such, q charge was in
tended TO fright the propfiety Of those
friend to the measure in its present
form, but who would not pport ii. SIC at
was anlamounf to; be raised from the tax
ses of the people.
He could well understand the objection:
submitted by those who, on principle,
were opposed 10 all Legislative aid 10;
public projects Of this character. That
was q matter Of conscientious considera-
llion with which he could not interfere.
Upon such questions, every gentleman,
must decide for himself. But he could
not reconcile The opposition of 4 any. who
favored the pretensions Of the other Roads,
which had asked and received support
from this body, while tile ink was source
Sly dry Swhichhod recorded the vote. He
supposed, and certainly hoped that geo.
graphical distinctions would not affect
this question. It is true, that the appli-
cation comes from portion of the Slate
whichlhos heretofore asked but little at
the hands ofthis body. While thousands
and thousands have been expended from
the puplic treasury 10 construct canals
and ronds in other parts Of the Sfate, the
Eastern section had never participated in
the distribution Of the fund. Had it not
contributed 10 the support Of the State
Government, to: the full ltrequisition made
upon its people, or. had it ever. been buck
ward in aflording its aid to>whateyer
could contribute to tho honor and glory
ofthe Slate. The friends Of the measure
before The Senate had voted for the bills
which secured aid 10 the Greenvile and
the Charlotte Roads, and had not stop.
ped tosrequire thnt this bill should be con-
sidercd ut the same time. They felt tha:
on principle, the claim was founded in
justice, in reason, and subjected the funds
OF tho State TO no chance of loss or risk.
What renson cnn be assigned to the pre-
ference of either Of these roads over the
others? The capital ofthe people is in.
vested in them all-the effect Of their es.
Establishment will tend to the common in!
teres, and prosperity Of every part of the
country. tits not just and fair to say,
that these roads are for the peculiar ben
eft of the district Of country through
which they pass. You cannot circum-
scribe or limit the beneficial influence Of
Rail Roads. You cannot fasten it, like
the iron on their structure. Their inlu-,
ence. extends far beyond their confined
limits, and is seen and felt in the general
improvement. Has the Stale no interest
in fostering and encouraging schemes,
which, while they can never prove detri-
mental Or prejudicialto the common veal,
promise SO much to its general prospcri.
ty. ,4
The Senate had already been inform
cd, that over 5000, 900 has been subscrib.
ed by individuals 10 this Rail.Ro
That the contracts for grading have been
entered into ON terms lower than the esli-
mates, and large portion of grading has
already been contracted for, the whole 10
be taken out in subscription Of stock. The
section of country through which il passes,
affords the most favorable promise that
the road can be completed OH the most
economical estimates. Nature herself
invites the work Of man. In no direction
could road Of such extent be accom-
pished on easier terms. II extends
through well-timbered territory, almost
inc 7iraight line, and challenges compar.
! .: n being one ofthe most encouraging
schemes both for general convenience and
profit.
The Honorable Senator from Orange
had not been backward in subiecling the
proposition before them to the odium of
the usual invectives which he had stereo-
typed for use, whenever any coun,enance
or favor is asked of the Legislature. A.
gain we hear Of that ''knock at the Treas.
ury" Is he again TO be informed, land
the perusal Of the bill on his table will
afford him the informa,ion,) that no ap-
preparation is sought from the public cof.
fers. We are looking TO the fund which,
having already been loaned to foster ono
such enterprise, may be regarded Us
pledged 10 aid them all. The Senator
has now (and not for the first time on this
floor) asked us to take counsel from the
course of our sister States, and boldly en-.
quire Of the Senate what aid Massachu.
setts, New-York or Georgia had given 10
Rnil r oods within thoir recnoo,;,,o I;,,;.o