Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1854-02-10
State Works.

We find the following in Pennsylva paper
s,TuE SALE OF ruE PunLIc woRKs-SEARcHiNo ISoeI-
RrEs-This subject continues to be agated by many OF
tho most influential journals OF the State. The popular
mind far have been able to ascertain, Is unequv
ocay In favor SALE The citizens Of the Common
wealth. becoming impatient In relation to the already
oppressive and constantly increasing taxation and no
wonder Pennsylvania has been sadly depressed in this
way and every leading interest has suffered Our Public
Works. "a ut present managed constitute sinking fund
instead Of q source of profit aud change Of
system absolutely Indispensable The Village Record,
perceive, has addressed letter unon the subject to
Job r. Tyson ESQ., in which the following searching IN
quiries made"
Then follow long series of questions as to the
best mode for cxricatipg the State from its ditcul>
tics-al going 10 show the heavy cmbarrassmcnts by
which the State is encountered. The public works
have cost the State y-seven millions, andnstead Of
yielding any revenue they add to the burdens of the
people The wit of man devise scheme,
which does not yield loss The State agents arc
either inefficient ertraragant or dishonest 1t is
their interest to plumber the public and they do it
They have nothing at stake beyond their salaries and
their pickings and steangs. But the poor tax-bnr.
dened people of Pennsylvania becoming weary q
this system. They have expended nearly sixty mil
lions in the hope of lettering their condition; but in
stead Of that they rd themselves off than ever
They have milestone around their necks, and the
do to be sayed9 How shall they get rid of the fifty
seven millions of debt and the horde of dcvouring Off
Gals What shall they do with their public works,
which they have spent so much money and labor
Into what hole or corner they take refuge from
the remorsecss depredations of the officials If they
sell their public works--how shall they do it? Iii
whole or in paIt-for cash or credit Who can buyy
Shall they sell without conditions-without making
al. &C.
render the whole to spectators their terms
fleece the people at their pleasure. But sell they
must. They cannot hold Il cir public works, for thew
are sinking them deeper and deeper in debt every
year. They in the Caudine Forks, and have no
alternative but unconditional surrender
1t is i'll the same difficult pass, in which Pennsy.
vania finds herself that it is proposed precipate
Virginia. We are to have magnificent state works,
under the management of state officials responsible
TO but public opinion. AS it is in Pennsyva>
mia, it will he here. We shall find ourselves sad
died with an ntolcrablc load of debt and proved upon
by army of officials. We shall, like the Pennsyl
vanians, lift up our voices in vain, to be delivered
from the evils that oppress us.
An ounce Of prevention is worth pound OF cure
Better take precautions in advance aud prevent the
owl from coming upon 1t is yet time for the Log
isature to save u.s. The Constitution gives TO tina,
body the power of abolishing the Board of Public
works. Exercise that power now, or it may be for
ever too late When, in addition TO the vast patro-
mage which that Board already possesses arc added
new works such as the Covington Road with ind, fl
mite millions and thousands of sUbs-selected with
reference TO their influence with members-thc Lepis.
Ia itself will to independent The Old Board
elected annually and subject to be overhaued at a
times would be thousand times preferable to This
trpleheaded monster, elected for six years and re-
sponsibc to nobody