Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1851-07-16

New ORLEANS, Jackson AND NORTHERN
RAILRoAD-The Permanent Com mttee of Ways
and Means of this contemplated Railroad, publish
an address to the people of Lou isiana in the New
Orleans papers of the 9th inst. The address de-
monstrates two important facts First, that the
commerce of Louisiana is decreasing and sec
ondy, that the contemplated railroad must inevi-
tably augment it. The committee also attempt to
prove by argument that the construction of the
road will prevent the threatened diversion of large
portions of the trade of Mississippi and Tennessee
to Mobile that it wi Il confer on New Orleans all
the advantages of the Mobile and Ohio road
that it will connect the "Crescent City" with the
projected roads of tn North West to the great
Lake s, and the roads of Virginia to the Eastern
cities and that it will checkmate the Carolina
and Georgia roads, and divert to the city of New
Orleans the trade of Middle Tennessee and North
Alabama Surely the people of New Orleans
cannot desire weghter reasons than these to in
duce them to make the road But the "Perma =
nent Committee" charged with the duty of rails
ing the ''ways and MEANS" as if dubious of the
disposition or ability of the people of New Orleans
to furnish the capital necessary to construct
ROAD winch prom SeS SUCH grave
ly enter into argument on the consttutionality
and expediency of raising the funds 10 build the
road by special tax on the real estate of the
country through which the railway must pass -
As this proposition is novel one we give the ar
ment of the Committee, which the n. o.. Bee
pronounces 'lucid and unanswerable":
Experience has demonstrated that in all communi.
ties where public spirit has not been generally awaken
ed it will do to rely solely upon individual subscrip-
tons for the promotion of great public works These
subscriptions may, be sure, realize large amount
as is happily the in the present instances but il
is not fair TO throw he whole burden of great pubic
benefit upon the shoulders of few allowing those who
have moi shared the heat and burthen of the day but
who have in at the eleventh hour, to participate
equally in its advantages. Even il individual subscrp
ions adequate the undertaking, they would still
tie attribute OF fairness, especially where the
works new and may not at first be so profitable
in themselves, however advantageous in their general
results upon the community.
2 A real estate the airest most equal, and
best that could possibly be devised since it is real
that must feel The benefit, and it this that gives fix
ed and permanent interest the holder and revenues
more independent Of his individual agencies than any
other description cf property. That real estate is the
first feel the beneficial Influence OF internal improve
men, is eynced by the practical experience of every
portion OF the country. The committee here enter |
into estimates 10 show the accelerated value which has
been impaired 10 real estate in The States OF New ork
Massachusetts Tennessee and Georgia, by he consrue-
ton o railways aud continue the thread Of Their arga
nen follows AS real esta e. therefore, feels more
directly the Influence of these improvements, 1t is but
Just That il should bear he weight OF their construction:
Ia iaei no other property be reached with even
appearance OF harness and equality rspec ally property
OF an intangible kind In commercial community, |
capital IN tade should be the last be touched. Ii |
shoud meet with espec al iayor more particular in |
ike lhis, where tie seepless riyalnes OF other
communities must be encountered in The contest for |
trade and where the slightest d advantages will often
,un the scale IL favor Of or against the the |
other
The question OF determining whether his tax
shall r.. imposed OF not, could not be submitted to |
more proper tribunal than the people themselves /
whether IN The cy or 10 the parasites through which