Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1851-10-06
Transit Charges on the Products
Of the COumtry-A direct Tax on
Labor aud Capital.

Transit Charges on the Products |
Of the COumsry--A direct Tax on
Labor aud Capital.
In our previous articles on this subject
we have treated it in reference to speci-
fic articles, and made no estimate Of the
aggregate amount Of tax paid by produ
GERS to the James River and kanawha
Company. The details already furnish
ed constitute startling prelude TO still
more startling result: that result we pro-
pose new to consider.
Before doing so, however, wo should
consider and through all our investiga-
tons, constantly keep in MUD the object
for which this Canal was originally pro-
jected. We should never forget that its
advocates claimed for ii the most tcne-
fetal influences, which could possibly be
brought to bear upon the industrial re-
sources of every species. in Virginia.
They contcndcd that lands would be IN
creased in value +; agricultural products
multiplied; manufactures brought into
existence, encouraged and sustained; our
mineral wealth be developed beyond the
conception of the mostsanguine, and that
everywhere progress and prosperity
would characterize the commercial con
Germs ofthe State. But where is the full
flment of this enthusiastic prophecy r.
Have our lands increased in value, To
put the case as strongly as possible: Have
the James River lands increased in value?
So far from it, we believe, that the James
River farms, have scarcely been able
to maintain their old value. In other
respects mentioned, we find similar
results. Our mineral wealth has not
been developed. SO far from it, we find
that from 1917 there has been an aver
age annual decrease of 965 tons in the a.
mount of Pig Iron transported down the
Canal ; result which is owing, III a
measure; to the Tariff Of lSl6-but also
to the fact that the James River and IA
nawha Company charge a toll thereon,
20 per cent greater than that charged up
On the Pennsylvania, and 66 per cent
greater than that charged upon the New
York Canals, so that more PENNSYLVANIA
iron is now manufactured in Richmond
than comes from upncr Virginia.
And what is the result in manufac-
lures : Consonant with our allegation.
We manufacture no cotton and but little
wooden goods, But above Richmond
Cotton corld never to any great cx-
lent constitute the raw material of
our manufactures. under any circum-
stances we, therefore, look TO the el:
feet of the tolls charged upon castings
and manufactured tobacco. In tho
latter branch Of industry, we have
continued to advance. not by virtue. but
in spite, of the heavy taxes imposed upon
it. We have examined this imposition
in a previous article, and would here sim
ply refer to the facts there detailed
But in respect to the manufacture Of iron
it is evident that no country has super
Tor native ore or better facilities fit con
verting that ore into castings, than this
portion Of Virginia. II should, therefore,
have been the policy Of the James River
and Kahawha Company 10 encourage
that branch of manufacture; but, instead
of this, we find that corporation charming
1875 per cent more thanthc Pennsylvania,
and more than three times as much as
the New York, Canals $50 That the
number oftons of castings sent down the
the Canal has been steadily and constant
" decreasing so that during The year,
ending 3lst October 1850, only 5Sl tons
of castings went down the Canal, while
l1i2 tons were Transported in lsl7-'s.
1t verify seems as though this inter-
nal improvement company had discrimi-
mated against industry. SO far from fos-
tering agriculture it taxes Wheat with a
toll of p ctsper ton per mile. Flour %,
Tobacco 81. Beeswas, Butter, Eggs, Fca-
theirs, Hides, Honey, Lead, Meats (salie1
and fresh Tallow and Wool, each 4 cts.
per ton per mile, Bacon 4 cents, and agri-
cultural implements Of every kind also a
cents Whilst uadcr oaf old Ldtieaur sys-
tenn IRE pail oniy A CENTS and 6 mills per
ton per- mile onMe rcry highest IF these ar
ficles,-- charge nAich included boM TILL
and fright.
These and such as these are the boas-
ted benefits arising from this costly i'm
proveideni
But let US take a comprehensive view
of this system of cxtortion, and in order
to d9this let us compare the amounts paid
by the producers Of the leading articles
of tonnage with what they would have to
pay if the tariff of tolls established on
the Erie Canal prevailed with US.
The following table i'll show the prin-
cipal articles Of tonnage transported cnthc
J. II. s. X. Canal; the No. Of tons; dis
tarcc carried; rate of toll per ton per mile:
on the Erie Canal, aggregate toll per
similar distance, and difference against
Virginia Canals.
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