Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1852-04-01

trolied by the Western VOTE who found their own
interest In giving that direction to the eXpendl-
ture.
The lines of improvement could never have
been useful to the West, exceptby passing through
Piedmont, to open up a way for them to the East
ern cities. And if the absurdty of attempting a
different arrangement had been attempted the
| West could not have passed their acts OF appro-
priatiou They must then meet the inevitable
responsibility of controlling the policy which
has resulted in our present financial embarrass-
ment, and in the existing public debt.
Nor we be unmndful of the representa-
tioas and promises which were made at the time,
when the appropriations were urged. Sir, we
were even told that it was no more than to ad-
vance the public credit, without probable neces-
sity OF paying money; the profits, or imaginary
profits OF the works in the form of dividends, being
always adequate to pay the interest on the loan,
and provide fund for the ultimate extnguish-
ment of the debt.
Again we were told that before the debt should
fall due, the increase of population, the apprecia-
ton of property, and the accumulation of wealth,
induced by the expenditure of the appropriation
and construction Of the works of improvement
would magnify the West into the principal tax
payers, on whom the payment of the debt would
devolve.
But, before the works have yielded the antci-
pated dividends, and before the people of the
West have attained to the degree of affuence
which can range them among the most important
tax payers of the State, the same interest which
carried the appropriations through the legislature,
forced through the Convention provision requir-
ing the organization of sinking fund, to be set
apart from the existing accruing revenue, to be
applied to the payment of the debt. Thus is the
East compelled by the West to provide for the
payment of the debt before the West are prepar-
ed to furnish their promised proportion, and with
out the benefit of those large dividends, which,
we were assured, would themselves relieve us from
the burden Of taxation. Yet the East is seen, on
the present occasion, to come forward as solid
mass to comply with the requirements of the
Constitution, and provide the means for the sink
ing fund, whilst the West are impatient and re-
luctant and straining and toilng to escape the
necessity which they themselves created. Sir, |
am astounded and mortified
If there be citizen of the Commonwealth
who, relying on past history, could justify hosti
ty to high taxes, and opposition to the pending
measure, that citizen is the humble being, who at
this moment, engages your attention. and who
prepared and reported this bill, as the organ of
the Committee of Finance. Outlines as dele
gate from Mecklenburg, have l occupied place
Oh this floor and raised my earnest voice in sue
cessu opposition to that series OF measures which
results in our present financial embarrassments.-
As representative of that generous and confd-
ing constituency, 1t was my fortune in the late
Convention to offer the most decided resistance to
| the ad valorem principle Of taxation. denounc-
ed it then, as denouce it now, unjust, unwise,
difficult of application, inquistorial, irritating,
harrassing and impracticable, if not absurd. Yet
it has been adopted by the judgment of my coun-
try, and, in the mystery of fate, it is my hard
destiny to be made the instrument of this House,
in giving it practical application to the state of
society in Virginia; and, what makes my posi-
ton yet more peculiar, have to apply it for the
purpose of providing the means to pay the debt
which I so much opposed. But the honor of the
Commonwealth is involved. I will not hesitate.
press forward to grapple with the difficulties
of my position, and | call on the East, and on the
West, to discharge their duty; to meet their
sponsibility; to vie with me; to vie with one an
other, in pushing forward the bright destiny of
the republic till the genius of Virginia rising ON
her eagle wing of strength lifting herself high
into the skies, soaring through the vastness of
space, ever circling, ever rising higher and more
high, shall settle at last in the utmost altitude, and
shine forever bright beaming star in the blue arch
| of Heaven.