New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1850-12-13

any corporation plan that can be invented
for the reason that the road when done ac-
cording to it, will have no dividends nor in
terest TO pay. but will be open to the use Of
the world with only tolls enough to cover
expenses and repairs. Show US any better
practicable scheme that will embrace these
advantages, and look toward the compile
ton of the work in quarter Of a century
and we will 90 for it with all our heart.
Our correspondents greatest objection to
the scheme is, that it aims to take adyan-
tage of the necessities of the impoverished
laborers of the world, by employing them in
the construction of the road. This same
objection holds good against every indus
trial undertaking not conducted with
direct view to Labor Reform, but we can
not think it sufficient to Justify opposing all
public enterprises. We have eur own con-
victons as to what is necessary in the way
of Reform and as occasion serves, endeavor
to carry them into the minds ofour readers,
but we do not consider that the salvation of
the world depends alone on their instant
adoption, or that everything else should be
stopped till the measures which we think
first in importance are carried into effect.
One argument is that the laborers on
the road cannot become owners Of the lands
along it. OF course we should greatly pre-
fer bill so framed as utterly to prevent
land speculation and land monopoly, but
even without such provisions, we see in the
nature of the case, restrictions which we
think our correspondent does not sufficient
ly value. This road cannot be treated like
an ordinary enterprise of the sort. 1t must
be accompanied by the grandest attempt at
colonization yet set on foot by any Govern
ment. Unless the country be colonizcd
and brought into civilization the undertake
ing must fail Now is it to be supposed
that so vast tract can be colonized and
settled on land monopoly principles! I'm
like our correspondent We suppose that the
hundreds of thousands of laborers who will
build the road, will take their pay mainly
in land, set to tilling it, and find market
for whatever they may raise on the road
itself. And is it not plain that such a
population can only be formed into Land
Reform States, and that an eftectual stop
per may and will be put on land specula-
ton at the first step they take in political
organization =?
Our correspondents second objection is,
that the lands along the road and their in
habitants, ought not to bear the whole ex-
pense of the construction, but that it should
be distributed over the whole Union, and
indeed the whole world, seeing that the
whole world is benefited. This seems to
US more specious than sound, 1t is impos-
sble to assess the cost Of public improve
ments with exact hair's-breadth justice
upon all who in any degree profit by them.
What is desirable, and what experience
has generally agreed upon, is to come as
near the mark as practicable. And if the
produce of the territory through which the
road is to pass will sell for SO much more
with it than without it, that the lands are
increased in value to the amount of the
roads cost, we see no practical reason
against assessing it upon them. In all SIM
liar cases, experience shows this to be the
most practicable and convenient method.
And beside, it is worthy of notice that
great public enterprise always benefits
much wider circle Of persons than pay
for it. That comes from the nature of
things, and makes part of the tie which
mites men of all countries and ages in one
Humanity.
So much for these two objections to this
great scheme. And in closing-as we do
without recurringto the positive arguments
in favor of Mr.. Whitney's plan-let us say
that we welcome this discussion, both for
the sake of the Railroad and of Land Re-
form. c. a. D.
Georgia and The Union.
The Georgia State Convention assembled at
Milledgeyille on Wednesday, the nth inst. The
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