Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1854-02-15
Publls Works In Nsn York


which Pennsylvania is grooming, from having under
taken works Of Improvement on State account. Her
great canal-made many years ago. when private in.
tegrity in public officials was not mere name-has
been found too small for the vast trade which seeks
vent through it. Zen years ago. the effort was made
to enlarge it Many millions were appropriated to
that purpose But the money was spent and little
progress was made. Parties changed and re.
changcd-and new appropriations made; but always
with the same result. "Half the money appropriated
(says New York papcr) in passing through the
hands of the officials, pocketed by contractors
spectators, politicians" &c. Last year the Legisa-
turc arraigucd the whole Board of Public Works for
swindng the State-and one of the number was for
maly impeachcd. But where the members of the
Legislature were quite deep in the mud as the
Board were in the miro, exemplary punishment
was to be expected. The prosecution, as matter OF
course, ended in smoke.
But the Legislature and its officials having now
spent all the money in hand and all they could raise
consistently with the Constitution of the State
they have proposed to amend the Constu-
iton so as to authorize them to borrow ten mill
| lions to continue the enlargement Of the canal
The vote Of the people is be taken to-day on this
u
have the work completed it is probable that the peo-
pie, in the hope of getting honest agents. will autho-
rze the loan. Bat we observe in many of the papers
the expression of tie opinion that this effort will
share the fate of those that have gone before it.
| The people will pay ten millions, fully one half OF
which will find its way to the pockets of the officials
and their co-adjutors, the contractors, and the
work will remain incomplete. In year or two, an
1
and with more earnestness than ever, the ground
that having spent so much already, it would be pity
and shame TO lose all that
| Aswe in Virginia are about to be precipitated in
the same career, before the deed is done we would
beg the members of the Legislature to pause ard at
| tempt to devise some means TO shield us from the
evils, which afilict sister States If they permit
the opportunity TO pass-if they surrender the power
now-they will &c impotent hereafter. The trium-
viratewth unlimited patronage and millions of pub
| lie money, and responsible to body, will be the
supreme powerin the State. Already without any
additi nal millions being voted thrm they possess
powers incompatible with the well being OF the Com
| monwealth. They claim not only controlling voice
in all the existing Internal improvements in the
State but they set up TO be the masters of all the
State stock-the absolute and irresponsible masters
for in their report they do not condcscend to
Inform the Legislature what terms they dispose Of
that stock In the exercise Of their unlimited discrc-
ton, they have employed Washington Bankers-who,
for aught know, may be using the States own
stock in that Safeguarding machine-the trans
Allegheny liank-iniating the currency and making
thirty per cent without risking dollar. When in-
definite millions and unlimited patronage are added
by such bills the Covngtoi-the people AMI the
Legislature may despair of being able to check their
power--for they can corrupt the one and defy the
other.
1t may be said, that this very improbable state
Of things, and presupposes the dishonesty of the
members of the Board Of Public Works, As to the
probability when see, under similar circumstan.
ces the very results, which deprecatc Transporting
all around us, it is the part Of wisdom and common
prudence TO be on our guard As to the dishonesty
Of the Board used to be considered sound policy
to trust public agents any farther than absolutely
necessary ito consider them all disposed TO take
advantage Of the public if it could be done with inns
punity-and to provide every possible precaution
against the possibility Of their appropriatingt the pubs
lie money to their owu use. This is what we con-
ccive it TO be The duty Of the Legislature to do now
If they cannot by something more potent than oaths
bind the hands of these triumvirs-and we believe
they cannot the only safe alternative is to abolish
their existence The public morals, the public credit
the success Of all improvements demand that
action.