Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1852-12-30

state Policy of Illinois.
Some fifteen years since, the State of Illinois under
took the construction Of an elaborate system Of internal
Improvement Two objects proposed TO be effected
the ordinary Of opening convenient channels OF IN
accommodation between different portions Of her ter
rtory and the additional object of combining within the
State all the apparent advantages supposed to result
from such works in other WORDS give her roads such
direction and termni would tend to build up ersUely
its towns and cities. In accordance with this poll
sy a plumber Of points were selected which TO be-
come the sites Of such future cities; and these were
made the exclusive termin OF the roads projected IL
supposed that the laws OF trade might be made to
yield political considerations, and that the public
might be made to the personal advantage Of the
lucky jewellers in the favored seats OF future opuence
and commerce.
natey, too well known. As might have been expected,
il proved total failure, involving not only the loss Of
millions but bringing discredt and disgrace upon the
State. After expanding sums, the State found her.
self unequal to the further prosecution Of the proposed
works, which were, one by one abandoned, and miles
upon miles of the old grades covered with dense
forests All Of the old work that can now be turned to
account has passed for trife into private hands
Only work, the Illinois canal out OF the whole
commenced, has been completed and this has been
effected by private company, INFO the possession OF
which has passed-the State retaining only possible
interest in the same.
As soon as the State emerged from the embarrassment
which she brought upon herself, OF her rst acts
was to remodel her constitution, by which she forever
is now by law incompetent the construction OF works
of public Improvement; and leave her Legislature
little direct agency as possible IN such matters her
constitution provides that the authority 10 construct
railroads shall be given by general law Of the State
and requires subsequent Legislature to enact suitable
| law for this purpose.
This has in part been effected, but unfortunately her
dearly bought experience has yet failed 10 bring with II
correct notions upon the legitimate sphere OF legislation
in commercial business affairs The idea of control-
ing the direction, and of trade, by legislative
4 n .lek Il 81.
act Of remodeng her constitution she pronounced her.
self incompetent TO engage in the construction OF chan
nes for such trade the legislature claims to pronounce
upon the expediency oil any proposed work, and to
determine the and direction of eommeTce-the
very thing that the Of all her previous mis-
fortunes II the fault OF the policy described, that
it was the work Of politicians, Of business
seeking provide for alre Ady existing 1t would
be just wise in Legislature to attempt to prescribe
the model of ship, to define and limit the routes OF
commerce This body is just as incompetent to decide
upon upon the other. 1t may often be good poll
10 render pecunary assistance, but IN matters that
appeal solely the and experience of business
men, the opinions of such should be conclusive.
The State of Illinois, then by refusing to allow the
Mississippi and Atlantic railroad company to
their road, only enacting, less harmless scale,
Of the olles of 1887, and which contributed
than all others to saddle the State with an enormous
debt for which she has nothing show but few miles
of graded road long since abandoned.
Suppose the Alton and Terre Haute road to be built
what would be the RESULT Would add to the business
commercial Importance of Alton? Only in the de-
gree that the Erie railroad has built up Permont The
road would add the population and business Just il.
proportion the additional number of people it would
require to superntend and operate the road 1t is
too late attempt to render Alton rival of st. Lous,
or to materially increase its present commerce. The
Isl that people prefer going to ST. Louis trade
1t has been decided that ST. Louis is the proper site OF
the commercial depot of that portion OF the Mississippi
valley contiguous 10 a. 1t is too late in the day raise
the question Of the proprey of this decision. Ii is
doubtedy correct one il would not have been made
The people of Illinois go st. Louis trade, be-
cause they find it for their interest to do II would
consequently be adverse their interest compel them
to Alton. What is the object in endeavoring to
force trade to that cityl Simply to build it up For
this purpose other portions Of the State to be taxed
and privileges accorded section OF the State re.
fused to another Granting the assumption that Alton
could be rendered a large town by compelling railroads
to make il their termin the advantage gained would
cost more than it would come to. As well might this
be done BY imposing direct tax upon the people OF the
State to do il indirectly by forcing them take their
products TO market where they would be forced sell
them at sacrifice.
We certainly regret that the commendabe enterprise
of Alton will meet with better But such
the laws Of trade We can not expect that cities like
St. Louis will be scattered about in wild proluson
through the west. rival to this city within circuit
OF hundred miles is not 10 be thought Of All with
in this distance recede before the rising greatness
Of the former. Such is always the influence of towns
Witness how Boston has swallowed up the trade of all
other Massachusetts towns, that once of much
greater comparative Importance than the present
time. But IL is no use to quarrel with such a result
In country like the United States human power can
make it different. Any interference with the laws of
trade is unnatural and Is in the end with
signal disappointment.
We have written the above with the best wishes pos
sbe for the and progress of Alton but we must
of course deprecae the adoption OF any policy which
calculated apparently TO promote this success by doing
injustice TO Others and which must, in the end only
suit to the injury Of the very interest sought be pro-
moted-.4m'rican Railroad Journal