Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1854-02-17
INTERNAL IMPROVEMENTS.

for several years past the ardent advocates OF rail- roads
In Virginia have sought enforce their views by referring
to Massach usetts New York and Pennsylvania ustra
ting The espediency and utility OF rail roads No
questions the advantages of rail roads, bu, has the bnc
zeal of persons prompted them attribute the raj
roads of Massachusetts New York and Pennsy yvana
beneficial results than they have reazed2 While they have
doubtless contributed much 10 the prosperity OF those States
we should forget overlook other which have
operated greatly 10 augment the wealth OF each.
From the organization OF the Federal Government TO this
day. the people of States have cared and thought ess
about the honors of the Federal Government thun about
profit, TO be derived from s administration II Congress
would legslate cherish aud protect their
cial and manufacturing nterestsin other words give the
North the loaves and hes-lhen Virginia welcome
the honor Of the Presidency. No unpIeiudlced mind
Quained with the history and legislation of country
deny that this has been the general sentiment rule
action the part of the Northern people. Shortly after
organization Of the Federal Government they succeeded
in giving such direction to it's policy emneniy cal
cnlaed 10 enhance their material interests Each Of The
National Banks was located in Philadelphia and from these
the commercial and manufacturing classes of the North de-
rVed greater advantages than the people OF The
commerce OF the Northern States was also greatly exended
American &opnage nearly all Of which was owned by the
Northern States At early period they turned their at
lenton to manufacturing and their love OF gain prompted
theu from time to time, solicit the aid of government
This was literally granted by successive tariffs which
ched the North at the expense OF the South Even now
the operation of the present tar1hIch compaa
lively low one-he industrial pursuits of the North derive
much benefit than those of the South The North
has not only enjoyed greater advantages than the South
gess and successive tariffs but ths North has also had
much larger share OF the disbursements of the government
IAN the expenditure" said John Randolph IN 1929 (ses
Life of Randolph VOL 3D. 39) of this government is made
(Norfolk and Point Comfort exceped) north of the Chesa
Pea& All Of the dividends of the debt OF bank received
there. No country Withstand such oppression and such
drain Again. he remarked: "Tho OF disparity be-
tween the East and South be found among other
things former charging aud being paid for every mill
Tia in the field during The Revolutionary war; and for
every bundle Of hay and peck furnished for public
vice In the buying up the certificates of debt for song and
fnpHf tha1, tho o.b.
CATION and the monopoly Of trade which the European
gave them II the militia services losses and supplies Of
the Carones had been brought into account all New Eng
and would NOT have sold for as much as would have paid
them"
venture that prior the of the
system of rail roads in Massachusetts, New FORK and Penn
sylvana those three States larger accumula
ton Of capital and had larger foreign than any
three States n the Union. The railroads Of those States did
the cities Of Boston, New YORK and Philadelphia
but those cities lin conneXon with the smaller towns OF
these Staee) created the rail roads To maintain oppo
site would be equivalent 10 maintaining that the cart draws
the horse, instead of the horse pulling The cart
The intelligent reader will remember that little of the
attributed tho absen OF the wealthy audholders of
Ireland who, instead Of living in Ireland and spending their
incomes in that country preferred to live 10 England and
spend their incomes in the latter country Now il would be
difficult to estimate how many mons of dollars have been
spent during the last half century by Southern people
who have gone Massachusetts, New York aud Penusy
vana for the purpose OF acquiring education purchase
goods, &C., and for the pleasure of travel and social enjoy
ment during the summer months. During the last fall The
expended four millions OF dollars last in visiting
New York, Saratoga Newport. Niagara, &c
All OF the causes aud circumstances to which brief
ference has just been made ignored by those who
deavoring 10 induce Virginia TO continue the hazardous po
cy OF borrowing money for the purpose Of Constructing
rail roads, For the purpose of deudng and misleading
public mind, the rail roads of Massachuses New York
Pennsylvania referred to by the advocates of internal
povemens in Virginia as the primary csena, and leading
of the wealth aud prosperity Of those States and
they hat need nothing but
knowedging the adyanages TO the ibras Mouth
ffbnled as much as is often represented 10 augment the
Industry wealth and prosperity OF those States Even
railroads had exerted upon those states lhe
ascrbed to hem is it very logical 10 infer the same or
yaen benefits 10 Virginia by the same meansi IN
much larger proportion OF the population Is engaged In
than in either Of the three States menlioneo
R roads derive from travel than from ION
nave and the people Of Virginia being mostly engaged 10
agriculture have less inducement to aVei nah ne peoPe
Massachusetts New York and Pennsyl large mum
her of whom are engaged In commercial and manulaclun
pursuits Again. their population being homogeneous oil
can travel upon rail- roads, the lew ndgent persons
ho have not the means; while Virginia about oil
our population are slaves who have opportunity or
en for travel Besides these considerations there 10 anot
entitled weight In estimating the relative anoun
of travel upon rail roads of Virginia. as compared win
those of the three States heretofore mentioned Whe virginia
oniy 2 inhabitants TO the square mile Pennsylvania has
70 New York e. and Massachusetts 27 inhabitants the
square me Other things being equal Inc more oense Tue
population The greater the travel in our country II our pop
ulaop was and their pursuits more dVesheo
If we had so or so Inhabitants instead of q TO the square
mile then might rstOna!y anticipate that the rail
roads Virginia would yield abundan; revenues as those
of the Northern States Instead OF Initiating other States
and looking them for guidance and instruction, does
10 think and act for ourselves? Have we sat
isfactoy evidence that the much auded rail roads of Massa
chuse New York and Pennsyvani have, any time for
any period of three four five together yielded per
cen, nett upon their COST few of them may have done
So but doubt whether the majority have AS invest
ments of money, think they have generally yielded very
slender pos although their Incidental benefits have been
! great and varied. w
Pennsylvania contracted debt of forty millions for the
purpose of internal improvements and Virginia is now fol-
lowing her bad example, have not seen the last annual
message of the Governor OF Pennsylvania but Inc winter
of 52 53 the Governor stated that the nett revenues OBJ
taned from the improvements of Pennsyvania were not
more than eight hundred and fifty thousand dollars
nun The interest on the debt incurred for their
ton being upwards of two Millions the revenues obtained
from the public works not sufficient by millions 10
nav the annual interest This deficiency was, OF course,
supplied By taxation In the face OF the seand other sgn
cant frequently asserted and apparently with great
confidence that the rail roads OF Virginia now constructing
will when completed not only pay the interest on he cos
but gradually and surely return TO the State Treasury all
the money expended n their construction Has any similar
result ever been attained in any State OF the Union Had
occurred the fact would long since been proclaimed
from one extremity of the Union 10 the other Sangune
persons are apt deceive themselves well as misead
others When eager and intent upon engaging In
an enterprise and borrow money for as long period as
81 years, and also throw most OF The responsibility OF
payment upon Others they are not very pai.cuia hI
object in view II high time that the people oil Virginia
should look 10 and consider we'll tho financial condition OF
the Commonwealth.
The actual debt and liabilities of the State arc now about
eight millions and is likely tina, from eight 10 ten
millions more will be directly indirectly appropriated al
the present session. Whether tho taxpayers OF Virginia
admire and love this kind OF progress" Is question io
them TO decide II opposed to large public debt snd
It's inevitable consequence axstlon-they shoua
promptly Inerpose and arrest legislative esravasance II
anxious TO preserve the credit and honor OF the Sae
them NOT forget that this only be done BY pursuing
policy characterized no, by fanaea zeal or reckless prec
nituton but by canness moderation and wisdom unior-
unaiey for the State treasury labor and iron are very ng
and must materially enhance the cos. Of railroad consruc-
on No words Of caution-no argument will however, be
those who seek to their
are not addressed to the the impartial and unsoph
masses who owe 1t 10 themselves and te country
to enquire whether tho railroad hisle however popular
and fashionable, canno be purchased too dearly.
About centuries ago, the Tulip mania ragged 10 Ho-
land and recently the muticaps mania prevailed In
our country The future political historian Of Virginia viii
refer 10 1852 @ and "a the epoch when the railroad ma
nia nrevaIed In this Common wealth alarming and un
procedented extent AGHiCoLa'
THE NEBRASKA BILL.-The Richmond Erqulrer Of
Tne position OF the Baltimore American The Nebras