Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1852-06-01
Railroad 10 the Tennessee Line.

Railroad 10 the Tennessee Line.
The subioined letter from Senator JONES' of
Tennessee, appeared in the Wing day or two
since. We fear that it is the fixed determine
tion of our Legislators to adjourn without granting
further aid to any of the internal improvement
enterprises of the State, and that they cannot be
prevailed on at this late period of the session, to
reconsider their purpose. We have yet to hear
the first good reason assigned for postponng action
on this subject until next winter. Ifany serious d.
ference OF opinion existed either in the Genera
Assembly OF among the people, as to the propriety
and expediency of prosecuting to completion the
system of improvements in which the common
wealth has invested large an amount of capital;
if the total abandonment of that system was con-
templated even as remote contingency, then
there might be some reason for deferring further
appropriations until the State should have come
to a definite conclusi on on this point But we are
not aware that the slightest diversity of opinion
prevails, as to the policy of prosecuting the lead
ing lines of improvement, in which the State is
interested. No sane man, we presume, would
counsel the abandonment in their present unfn-
ished condition of these works, in the construc-
ton of which the State has already incurred
debt of S14.O0O,0O0. All agree that such step
would be fatal to the future prosperity of the COM
monweath, and that sooner or later, appropriations
must be made to carry out the great system of
improvement which we have begun. Why then
shall these appropriations be deferred What
possible good can De accomplished by delay Il
will be necessary, it is true to impose increased
taxes on the people in order to meet these addi-
tional demands the treasury, but this is an evil
that cannot be avoided, and which will only be
rendered worse by procrastination. The inter-
est on the inserna improvement debt of Virginia
is estimated at about one million of dollars,
and as long as our great public works remain in
| their present incomplete condition, yielding moth
ing to the State treasury, this heavy annual charge
will have to be met by resort to taxation alone
The speedy completion of these works affords
the only prospect of relief to the people, from the
burthens under which they now suffer, and every
consideration of a wise economy and enlightened
craftsmanship woudseem to demand prompt and
liberal provision for that object the part of the
Legislature. Our rulers, however, appear to
view the matter in different light. They shrink
from the task of taxing the people, even for their
own good, and evnce disposition to stave off as
long possible the dsagreeable responsibility at
tached to the performance of their acknowledged
public duty, although the burthens of the people
are thereby aggravated, and the highest interests
of the State are made to suffer-
RAILRoADTo THE TENNESSEE LINE
| WASHINGTON, May 90, 1882
My Dear Sir Iregret exceedingly to hear that it
is probable your Legislature will adjourn without making
adequate provision for the speedy completion of
railroad to the Tennessee line The speedy completion
of this work is it seems to of great mpor
lance not only to your State but is OF equal Importance
to
You that ample provision has been made by
last Legislature for the construction Of this great
tional line of communication from the State line to
Knoxville, where it will connect with the Tennessee and
Georgia road thus forming continuous line Charleston,
Savannah, Nashville and Memphis You must perceive
at the deep interest have in the completion of
your road The value of our line of improvement in which
our state and its citizens have embarked millions ofdo
lars must depend in great degree the completion of
all parts ofthe line The road from Memphis to the ia
tersecton of the Nashville and Chattanooga road in
process of rapid construction, and will think be
pleted in of three years The road from Nashville
to Chattanooga it is said will be finished during the
| present year 1t is confidently believed and
reas on to doubt it, that the entire line from the terminus
of your road the State line to Nashville and Memphis
will be completed in three years, How important then
isit to all the int involved that should be
provided for the completion of your road by the
time Impressed with the conviction that your road would
be completed by that tme every effort made by
Staeo be ready YOU and that there should be
doubt the subject row. fills the friends ofthe improve
ment with deep regret and must have bad effect
Improvements rustour fears this ground
less cannot permit myself to believe for moment,
that your Legislature, composed is of much ntei
gence and public spirit will hazard interest of
much Importance permit to angush for the of
little timely aid Sucha supposton would be imputa.
ton intelligence and in violation of the spirit of
| the age.
Isincerely hope your legislature will not adjourn
without placing this great work and its early completion
| beyond any contingency
Respectfully, your obedient servant
| JAMES C. JONES.
| To r Draw Jr Fec