Saturday morning visitor., 1849-01-06


tutional duties 10 require of us "io pro-
vide BY law for systematic and econorn.
ical application Of the funds appropriated
! 10 those objects" At the entrance 81
Missouri into the Union, it was agreed BY
the Federal Government that ''iive PEI
cent. Of the nett proceeds of the sale O
lands lying within The said territory OF
State, and which shall be sold by Congress
from and after the first day Of January
1881, after deducting all the expense,
lnciden, TO the same, shall be reserved for
making public roads and canals, Of which
three-iiiths shall be applied 10 those OBJ
jecls within the State, under the direction
Of the Legislature thereof, and the othei
iiilhs in defraying, under the direc-
tion Of Congress, the expenses 10 be in
Cured in the making Of road or roads
canal or canals, leading to the said State. y
Since that time the inlroduc,ion of steam
power, and the increased facilities of ira
vel and transportation afforded by steam
boats and railroads have, in the opinion Of
Congress, as shown by its repeated relus-
al of late years, 10 make appropriations for
objects TO which this fund might be appli-
ed, superseded the necessity Of continuing
such appropriations. The State of Mis-
souri,, therefore, has an equitable claim
upon the General Government for the ap-
preparation of this Two per cent. fund, a
mounting at this time 10 about $220,000.
We are assured BY, the liberalily of Con-
gress towards several of our sister States
in reference 10 this same subject, that we
have only 10 designate objects worthy Of
| appropriations, IN order 10 obtain all We
desire. We need hardly expect appro-
priations, however, if the objects designa-
ted are SO numerous, that a division Of
the fund will be Of no essential benefit TO
either.
The Usage river can be easily rendered
navigable for considerable portion of the
year. 1t drains an immense extent OF
country, and is The natural outlet for its
iceming products. That we should give
aid 10 so important measure, when we
have the pow er 10 do so, without burihen-
ing the people with additional taxes, il
needs no argument from me TO enforce. -
The enterprising spirit shown BY the peo-
pie in the region OF the Grand river coun-
try, and along the line Of the Hannibal
and st. Joseph railroad, by the liberal sub
scriptions for stock already made, and the
prospect OF grant Of land lay Congress
along the route, makes ii probable that at
no distant day, with such additional aid as
can be afforded consistent with the rights
Of other portions OF the State, and with
out imposing additional taxes on the peo-
pie, We may witness the accomplishment
Of this most desirable object.
The extreme south eastern counties are
serious affected by vast swamps, which,
according TO the recent report of commits
sioners appointed for the purpose, can be
drained al a small cost, and the source of
disease removed, so as TO render il a most
desirable portion of the country. Those
lands, it reclaimed, belong TO the General
Government; justice requires, therefore,
that the expense should lie incurred bv il.
or at least thai such an al rrangement should
be made that the expenses be paid out of
the proceeds Of lands reclaimed.
There are other objects to which | might
refer, but ! deem it unnecessary on this
occasion. ! have only referred TO those
which by the action had upon them, have
placed them in advance OF others.
In commencing internal improvements
at this time, should il be deemed wise 10
do so, Missouri will have the ligh, fur
nished by the sad experience Of many sis
ter States to enable her 10 escape the e.
villa into which they fell. Sound policy
dictates the rejection of any scheme 10
burthen the State with heavy debt, or
impair its credit. II is presumed the peo-
pie are not prepared for that increase Of
taxes which would be required tomeet e.
ven the interest upon such debt as the
immediate construction by the Stale, of a.
ny considerable number of the projected
would necessarily eniail.-
Before embarking upon any enterprise,
We should examine well, not only the
wants of the people, but the means Of sup
plying those wants. Much can be done
all that is required at present,
If the resources Of the State which are
properly applicable TO internal improve
menis be faithfully used for such works,
The grant of alternate actions BY the
General Government in aid Of public
works in Michigan, Iowa, Illinois and O.
ther States, jusiifes the expectation that
like grants will be made for Missouri.
Senators and Representatives with an
intense soliciude for faithful discharge
Of all my official duties, advance 70 the
lask assigned me, asking your co-opera-
lion and support, which | shall often need,
and invoking the aid Of Him who is the
fountain Of Justice, that he may continue
10 smile, ppon US and. direct .onr. slsps in |
.very effort for the public good /