Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1853-12-16

u.
INTERNAL IMPROVEMENTS THE DUTY OF tn
LEGISLATURE.
Its very distinctly ascertancd that tie present lrg'sa-
lure in comparison with its immediate predecessors, VIII
| manifest no abatement Of zeal and extravaganza In
regard appropriations for works Of internal Improvement.
Already have multitude Of new schemes OF various CLASSES
and uniform Gexpedency been brought before The egsa'
lure by their respective patrons under circumstances ca"
ngSeralion ard importantly in respect 10 ihcr value anu
claims, which the obiurae economist VIII haoy "i"'
stand Such has been the rush in the direction oil inc 'fea
sury that appropriation Of fifteen millions oil dollars to
works Of internal improvement would not satisfy the de-
mands made the Legislature thus early in the session.
Al what point the thing will STOP nobody petend 10 fore
Ii is manifest however, the dulIes apprehension
.hat unless the pressure the treasury be promptly resist
eli rcecd the credit Of the State will be destroyed and
the people be saLded with burden Of Indebtedness from
which there will be honorable eacapc Here is for
the consideration Of members who have the maniness 10
think and 10 their responsibility Anything like
sober reflection independent conduct expect
of men who cce 10 The Legislature for the single purpose
of promoting petty scheme and who acknowledge
larger constituency than lives along the line Of their project
ed turnpike But who feel that they have in charge
their local interests only but the honor end welfare
tie Stale ALSO will want admoDon Of the necessity
concerning come measure which will put limit eypcnd
| lures schemes OF Internal improvement
The absolute debt Of the STATE Independently of an
Of liability but little less than $40 OQO Goo scarcely
falls short of $50 U00 Amy increase If Indebtedness
will involve propo!onate increase Of ayatiun To which
the people will submit with great reluctance and only
some obvious and Indispensable advantage An increase
o! Indebtedness moreover will that extent impair lie
credit Of the State and thus impede the progress Of that
system Of Improvement the Of waich de-
uen uG the nd mur
The credit Of The State suffer- il this Indebtedness be The
sequence Of expenditures schemes which repay
the interest The Of their construction 1t b.
expected that The people Of Virginia will submit quietly TO
an absurd md useless addition their existing burdens
sill regard with favor the who is responsible for the
grievance There will be day OF reckoning in double
scnsc-a day Of reckoning with the public creditor and
day Of reckoning with The alhess representative We
foesee that in many future the chances of cand
date for political promotion will be determined by reference
10 The records Of the present Legislaurea test just
will DC conclusive
The responsibility Of the present Legislature is not al all
esscIed by the fact that lis duty clear Is imncr
tive Members need not perpex themselves with the me-
i,s and claims of competing schemes. They need not
derakc discriminate between wise schemes and foolish
schemes. There principle clear and we'll Defined which
will ob'iale all dicuity-whch will reconcile the claims OF
economy with the claims of wise expenditure and which
will satisfy the demands o! liberal but Iudicous
spirit Improvement and proptnIc The feelings and interests
of people disposed submit excessive burdens. II
Legislature will resolve to concentrate all the energy
and resources of the State the LEADING lines of
improvement, and push them forward with unremtting
yigor- will expend not doll on new schemes, Or
on schemes already begun but of doubtful best inferior
Importance will REFUGE 10 aid by empty charter
in building roads in conflict with its investmens-!
the Legislature will adop, this policy and adhere 10 teRa
cousy against every opposition it will win for itself the
applause gratitude Of the people, and mpart I'M
impulse the prosperity of The State. There need
be NJ apprehension that the people will condemn This prin'
cpe. They ready 20 sanction adequate approptia-
ton tho great lines they averse 10 any expenditure
on new schemes and for the anxiety 10 be
relieved of the burdens OF public debt They know that
additional aid necessary render profitable present in
vestmens public works; and they know that this cannot
accomplished If the OF the Stale are tisspaed
10 speculative adventures. Hence il the Legislature will
but adopt and adhere to the policy Of completing the prnc
pal lines before assuming any additional burden, will not
b. without the support encouragement of approving
public sentiment.
The Legislature will fad difficulty in carrying the
policy advocate Worthless schemes form corrupt c0lll
lions by combination Of forces batter down the doors
Of the Treasury Why may friends of economy and
public honor unite protect the Treasury and tho credit
the Satl why ehOud not inc great internal improve
mont interests of the State by combination Of strength
save Commonwealth from that waste and wreck Of re
sources which would involve The rua OF their own hopes
The object praseworhy and there nothing egiiimlte
in The IT, theu The representatives Of those works
the completion Of which is thought essential TO the interests
o! the Commonwealth, will concur in this policy, and will
determine assist each other in their just claims. and 10
oppose united front speculation and extravaganza In
proprialions they will moi only promote their own interests
but will render lasting service TO the State Their power
will be irresistible They will crush the brood CT petty
schemes which clmor round The Treasury with giants
strength.
Ii Is difficult by what other mcans the internal i'm
system of the State derive efficient aid from
the treasury II the indicate I've not adopted
either the system of blind par5imony or ndscrimnac and
extravagau expenditure will prevail The good and the
bad will share lie fate either of prosperous Of Ill
fortune No appropriation will be made for works Of inter-
nal improvement else The public money will be reckessly
squaniced without any regard 10 the public good This is
an alternative which Frginan can contemplate with
pleasure and from which the Legislature escape only by
pu rsuing tie policy propose.
---ssS---
DEATH OF MRS JOHNSON.
An universal sympathy expressed for the recent distress.