Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1849-09-04
For the ENQUIRE,
F0' NE EHqdtFG.
INTERNAf. IMPROVEMENT BY THE
STATE


STATE.
Gentlemen: nm fully aware that the subjec,
Of internal improvement by the 8 ate has many
advocates 10 both Of the political pariie. now
dividing tho country, and hnps you will excuse
me IN calling the attention Of Tar payers and
voters of this commonwealth 10 the subject
The system has been engraftcd upon Us by few
to subservo local interests, and for the few last
sessions Of the General Assembly has been
forced forward WITH hit house zeal. Indeed, 10
such an extent has il been carrlsj as TO become
a crying EVIL from one end Of the Stale to the
other A few may point with Pride 10 these
sch. mes as marking new era in tho State
And they do mark new era The more sober
portion of the citizens Of this glorious old CON-
monwealth arc looking forward in anxious ex
nee alton of the day when Virginia shall be
forced 10 shake hands with her sister Mississippi
upon the plalfvrm of reputation ibis subject
should, in Tho next General Assembly, b. soberly
considered by every man 10 The State, but more
especially BY the CT iz-ns Of Eastern Virginia -
Now, Lesrly every 81 passed in the Las, eighl
or ten years, for Internal Improvement, has been
with The Interior view Of benefit TO We.lern
Virginia, while Eastern Virginia is faxed 10 pay
tor them. A large mass of the people of this
Stale are opposed 10 internal improvement by
the State and if The vo we're taken, il would be
so demonstrated. But this matter has been en-.
tlrey 'eldel by Federal poIics from tins test
II the citizens of any section of the State desire
q railroad or canal, let them carry It out BY
private subscriptions; then, If they choose IL
make every county road a railroad, or every
creek canal, they do not injure the Stae.-
Every man OF body of men have right To spend
their money for any purpose; but deny the
right of any body Of men, even the Hop. the
General Assembly Of Virginia to Levy texs Jor
other than the legitimate purpos;s Of Government
And there is no right impaired 10 them 10 do
otherwise by our Constitution And arc The mass
oflhe people who groan beneath the taxes 10 bear
the Slate quota 10 these lines OF internal i'm
proyement benefited by them2 How much are
The people of Mecklenburg. Brunswick, Lulen-
burg, Holloway, Dinwiddiv, PtiG c. George, Su'-
sex H. be benefited by The Petersburg and Roanoke
Railroad How much ar he people DC Wen
the waters OF ApPoma,lox James River ber.
efiited by the James niyer Canai3 Schemes oil
lateral Improvement, such as these, promise
very iair in The commencement, but .ihey are
always GUS. in The end. Give us good county
roads-let the IN ,ney expcEd ID by ne State, IN
me Wild schemes OF Railroads ard Canals, be
aprr,priated 10 laying down plank roads In eve
~ colnly-ard the mass-thc travelling, and
more especially the farming communities. will
then. - man, BE- beseflet. Let The State do
mis- AID let thuse who are troubled With rspor
mqa!a or Canal M mic, Subscribe and carry out
,heir uwa Utopan schemes.
The Sale is now like young and needless
spend, hiii., wiln apparently ample means and
unIinucd credit embnking IN every mad
scheme that promises a moments qualification
TO pride, or WI. e0ab,e her TO saoi7 Of as large ss
some of her neighbors-but, alasl like he spend
tnrif, she will ere long, fad an end to her means
a .mi, In her cIeciy, ara ovtrwnelmed wi1h oeol'
Tnen The very Immaculate line Cnlvaiiy Of IN
terna. Improvements, will, viii shasli, s;aae'
aot mockins laugh point Us 10 k'Puaia.'oee..
"rhose wnom the Gods seek 10 desIoy lley us.
make mad" And if the acts OF !he 0enefal
Assembly, upon This subject Tor The last year OF
i've, be TAKEN as criterion, Virginia IS ceItain-
" doomed We ar: now borrowing money loi
these schemes, ard borrowing more money 10
nav The in.srcs, ucon mar money. Now lei
any rea,on,b,e candii maa decide what must
r.. Inc inevitable rtsui': y reopi9 ovefeurihen'
ei with ,s3es or RepndiiIul.
Primes Gc.rss, dugr,t In. iel9.