Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1854-01-24
The Coyipgtou Road

The making Railroad to the Ohio is one thiug-and
the making 1t In the mode and by tho proposed
another and very different one Nobody could more de-
sire the completion Of that improvemen-bo,h on accoun
OF the State and the people through whose territory it
viii pass than We do. But may may cost too uch aud
on the proposed PLAN may swamp the Treasury with.
out oeng completed-or if completed, nure only to the
dement, oil baltimore conne1on at the mouth of the
Elk with the Ohio and Baltimore road would achieve that
result 1t is pretended that the State would never be
mad enough to allow that connexion. We may Judge OF
that by what she has done. Already on another State
Improvement, the Winchester road Baltimore cars pass
and repass freely any others As they talk of build
ing the Western end OF the Covngtou road frs,-Balt
more cars will be At the mouth of the Big Sandy LONG be
lore Richmond car will pass the Allegheny; l. O. If the
Baltimore gauge be adopted
As to the agents by whom the work is to be managed
have tho people or the Legislature considered the unlini
ed and irresponsible claimed by the Board of Pub
he As we understand it, this Board arrogatc to
themselves the right of discussing every appropriation
made Tor public work, in whatever manner may seen,
good TO them-(wth the only condition that II IA m n.
used on the work designated without responsibility Il,
the Legislature or the people. They claim the. power
under the constitution, and by that instrument are
su'ed supreme aud absolute masters of all public i'm
pr''ement' The Legislature has only to make appropri.
''" "su 10 spend the as
they please VIII the Legislature submit to this assump
aon oil power VIII it only submit to it-but will
eohhrm and eniasgei, by grants indefinite millions To
this usurpng and grasping Boards
The people OF the country have never dreamed lin,
sueh monster existed among them We doubt n tho
members oil the Legislature have seriously thought of the
matter. surely 1t becomes them come to some dstpc
understanding with the respect these powers-,o define
and limit them by law, ii that be possible and not 90 nm
ohuy swelling their eShorbi,ant powers by the grant NJ
unlimited millions prudent regard for the interests NJ
the people require this prccaution at their hands,
wing consideration for the treasury and for all the Other
improvements in the State demand that thew should NOT
put 1t into the hands of three men TO inyoly. tho Com
monwealih in bankruptcy
Let the powers OF this Board be distinctly da6,oJ J.,
an act OF the Legislature safeguards providad o
the public money, before the Treasury is placed at b.
disposal.
hut all objections the score of gauge 70 suit Ral
unore and the boundless authority the Board of Puc
works. were remoyed-it would still be ineYpedent IN
vote millions to that Improvement at once By voting
100 much the price of labor would rise and thereby the
cost OF the work would be greatly enhanced And tb,
elect would not be confined to that Improvement IL
"ond extend throughout tha staeani enhance the cost
oil all other improvements and affect the operatiops
o! private individual
ms however, is secondary. The Baltimore gauge and
tie eNhorbtant and irresponsible powers claimed by the
hoaru oi Public Works, primary and insuperable