Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1853-12-20
GOVERNORS MESSAGE.
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.,
Fslow-citizeus of&e Ssaate and


law of the land, without any long or unnecessary
exordium shall at once proceed TO discharge the
high and responsible duties thus imposed.
In the first place, the attention Of the General
Assembly is most respectfully invited TO the pres
ent and prospective indebtedness .nt- tls-State.
The liabilities OF the State, as they are termed by
the Comptroller of the Treasury, were, in October
last three million eight hundred and one thousand
eight hundred and iifty-six dollars (S3, S0l, $50 y
The credit OF the State has been loaned various
railroad companies and bonds issued to the amount
of one million nine hundred and forty-fye thousand
dollars, Isl ,945, 000,) and should be added to the
present liabilities; making them, IN the aggregate,
five million seven hundred and forty-six thousand
eight hundred and fty-six dollars, So 46 $500
To this amount there might be very properly adj
ded the surplus revenue which was received or de-
posits and the faith of the State pledged for Il e
safe keeping and repayment of the same, which
now constitutes part of the capital Of the Bank
of Tennessee; and the common school-fund, which
is made perpetual fund by the constitution These
two SUMS make one million five hundred and TWEEN
ty thousand three hundred and twenty-five dollars
Isl, 520325,) which makes the liabilities of the
State, up 10 this time, seven million two hundred
and siXty-seven thousand one hundred and eighty
one dollars, Isl, 267, 1871. .f-et
The prospective liabilities which are authorized
by an act establish system ofinternal improve
ments in this State, passed on the 1lth day OF Feb
IOO-b anu various OIlef aciS 10 alu the
building OF bridges, will if carried into full and
successful operation, create an additional debt of
about eight million dollars more; which when adj
ded TO the liabilities already referred to- will make
the whole liabilities OF the State fifteen million two
hundred and slxty-seven thousand one hundred
and eighty-one dollars (Sl5,267 1917 And if the
internal improvement bill now under consideration
before the legislature should become law, it will
increase the prospective liabilities near six million
fO1r hfpdra1 thon,apl II
wilmake the grand total Of the present and pros
pective liabilities of the State twenty one million
SIX hundred and sxty-seven thousand one hundred
and eightyone dollars, (S2l, SCI, 1917 While on
the subject of State indebtedness it viii not be out
of place. nor improper to refer to the probable a
mount owed by counties and corporations through
out the State, which has been created by the issu-
ance of county and corporations bonds which can
not be less than five million dollars $4,000 0OOO
probably much more, making the whole liabilities
of the people of the State present and prospective
twenty-sIx million SIX hundred and sixty-seven
thousand one hundred and eighty-one dollars, (S26-
667, 1917 ......-. -
OF the present liabilities, the State has at this
time vested in various turnpike roads one million
two hundred and thirty thousand eight hundred
and hitysix dollars, Isl 230 500 for which State
bonds have been issued, ANA now pays interest on
them, amounting to siXty-one thousand nine hun
dred and sixty pine dollars, (S6l $685. The entire
amount received into the treasury annually from
this investment in turnpike roads is Sl5l ma
king nett loss TO the State, annually, of S4G763.
1t Is to be hoped, however, that the profits arising
from the investments made in these turnpike roads
by the State is not correct indication of invest
ments to be made in future in any works of inter-
nal improvements. Eleven of these roads, as vet
have never declared dividend and the prospect
of their ever becoming profitable to the State is ex-
ceedingly doubtful, from present Indications
INTERNAL MPRovEMENTs. ~
The constitution of the State declares that "a
well regulated system of internal improvements is
calculated to develope the resources of the State,
and to promote the happiness and prosperity of her
citizens therefore it ought to be encouraged by the
General Assembly" Internal improvements Is
subject that hos been for some time back. and is
now, exciting deep and lively interest among the
people, in many portions Of the State The oues-
tOns, how far the State should be involved in con-
structng works of internal improvements, and
what works shall be first undertaken and compile
ted, mnst be determined by the wisdom and sound
discretion Of Senators and Representatives who !
have been selected on account Of their superior
OF the local and general interest of the
State. "A well regulated system of internal i'm
proyement" wouid seem to indicate that the lead |
ing and most prominent works calculated ard intend
ed 10 connect the three grand divisions Of the State
should be first selected and completed. Such other !
works should then be undertaken as experience and
the interest Of the country might suggest 1t |
should be the great and primary object OF the Gen
aral Assembly to bind the State together from
Johnson to Shelby, by railroads or other improve
mems which would accomplish the great end ma
KING us one and the same peopen commerce, agri-
culture and mechanics. a system ike this, connect
ng itself with other important works beyond the
limits of the State would seem TO accomplish the |
lesign Of the constitution. While it is the duty of
he legislature under the constitution to foster and
Encourage "a well regulated sy stem of internal i'm
movements it should be extremely careful in not
too many works at the same time and
hereby dividing the energies of the State and in
viduas TO that extent which would cause delay
nd failure in many Of them, and at the same time
esult in great loss and useless expenditure of the
copies substance The system should ALWAYS be !
regulated not to involve the State in heavy L.
Olities beyond what can at all times be met when
ley fall due by the treasury, with promptness,
Ithout having to resort to heavy and oppressive {
lxaton on tie great mass OF the people. The {
enera Assembly should, and no doubt will be ex- {
.edingly careful in not giving legislation, which is
)nnected with the internal Improvements of the !
)Utry, that direction which will have tendency
lesson or impair the public credit and honor Of /
e State at home or abroad I
The duties imposed on the Executive by tbelaws '
hich have been heretofore passed, or which NAV t
hereafter passed., DY Jne legislature, extending !
e aid of the State TO works of internal improve
ent will be discharged by him with strict fdeli- b
PUBLIC ROADS
Our whole system Of public roads is exceedinly e
lective, perhaps more than in any other State Il
the Union, imposing the burden of keeping it up II
on that portion of our ielow-ctiZens least able l
bear it. and who have the least use for it after it e.
keptup. Many persons compelled to work Ii
the public roads many days in the year, who o.
We not the time to spare to do So without pay, u
d the necessities of whose families reed the BRO,
Ids of their entire labor for their support. while
the ther hand there are many who are EXEMPT
law from working on the public roads, who are III
her ablephysically to work Them or pecuaiarily Oh
Day for having it done and who derive the great al
benefit from good roads when they are made, by uC
enhanced value good roads impart to their prop co
y and by increasing the comforts and facilities i'
travelling over them. In view of changing or GL
dfyng our present system | most respectfully I'd
your attention to the system of keeping up pub ou
roads in the States of Ohio and Pennsylvania ~ n
ere properly and other taxes are levied for the IN
pose of keeping up the public roads and high IN
vs. and thereby carrying out the principle, that ny
individual who derives the greatest benefit from Pc
ing them kept up, and in proper condition for aai
travelling public shall pay correspondingly for IN
benefits thus conferred. All persons should con cai
ute to the support Of the government under ISs
ch they live proportion to the protection thew Si
i've from it. Our present road system it must j.
onceded by all, operates most unjusly and I'M w