The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1854-12-14

pen0iDn DeioTe ConSTess. n CdlCAui lo
view of the whole subject led me to di-
rect that all such orders be abrogated,
and the lands restored to market; and IL
struetions were Immediately given to that
effect The applications at the last ses-
sion contemplated the construction of more
than FIVE thousand miles of road, and
grants to the amount ofnearly twenty mil
lions Of acres of the public domain. E.
ven admitting the rig bit on the part Of Con-
gress to be unquestionable, is it quite clear
that the proposed grants would be pro-
duetive Of good, and not evilI The diff
ferent projects are confined, for the pres
cnt, to eleven States of this Union, and one
Territory. The reasons assigned for the
grants, show that it is proposed to put the
works speedily in process of construction
When We reject, that since the commence
ment of the construction of railways in
the United States, stimulated as they have
been Ly the large dividends realized from
the earlier works over the great thorough
fares, and between the most important
points of commerce and population, en-
couraged by State legislation, and pressed
forward By the amazing energy of private
enterprise, only seventeen thousand miles
have been completed in all the States in a
quarter of q century;--when We see the
crippled condition of many works CON-
menced and prosecuted upon what we're
deemed to be sound principles and safe
calculations;-when We contemplate the
enormous absorption of capital withdrawn
from the ordinary channels of business,
the extravagant rates of interest at this
moment paid to continue operations, the
bankruptcies not mcrel y in money but IN
character, and the inevitable effect upon
finances generaly;-can it be doubted
that the tendency is to run to excess in
this matter? Is it wise to augment this
excess ty encouraging hopes Of sudden
wealth expected to flow from magnificent
schemes dependent upon the action of
Congress? Does the spirit, which has
produced such results, need to be stimu
lated or checked? Is it not the better
rule to leave all these works to private
81 pi.3e, regulated, an5, vhc. t&pe3i
cnt, aided, by the cooperation Of States!
IF constructed by private capital, the stin-
ulant and the check 90 together, and
furnish a salutary restraint against spec
ulative schemes and extravaganza. But
it is manifest that, with the most cfec-
tive guards, there is danger Of going too
fast and too far.
We may we'll pause before 4 PROPOSE
tion contemplating Simultaneous move
ment for the construction of railroads,
which, in extent, will equal, exclusive OF
the great Pacific road and al its bran
cbes, nearly one third Of the entire length
of such works, now completed in the Uni
ted States, and which cannot cost, with
equipments, less than one hundred and
fifty millions of dollars. The dangers
likely to result from combinations of in
terests of this character, can hardly be
over-estimated. But, independently Of
these considerations, where is the accur-
ate knowledge, the prehensiye inteIli
gence, which shall discriminate between
relative claims of these twenty-eieht pro-
posed roads, in eleven States and one Ter
ritory! Where will you begin, and where
end! If to enable these companies to ex-
ecute their proposed works, it is necessa-
ry that the aid of the General Govern
ment be primarily given, the policy will
present problem SO comprehensive ini
its bearings, and so important to our po-
litical and social well being. as to claim,
in anticipation, the sevcrest analysis. Ea-
teftainins these views, Irecur With salts
faction to the experience and action of the
last session of Congress, as furnishing as
surance that the subject will not fail to
elicit q careful re-examination and rigid |
scrutiny.
1t was my intention to present, on this
occasion, some suggestions regarding in
ternal improvements by the General Gov
ernment, which want of time at the close
OF the last session prevented my submit
ting on the return to the House of Rep !
reservations, with objections, of the bill !
entitled, "An act making appropriations
for the repair, preservation, and compile
ton of certain public works heretofore
commenced under authority of law;" but
the space in this communication alread .
occupied with other matter of immediate .
public exigency constrains me TO reserve
that subject for a special message, which
will be transmitted to the two Houses of
Congress at an early day.
The judicial establishment of the Uni
ted States requires modification, and Ger
tain reforms in the manner of conducting
the legal business of the Government are
also much needed, but as | have addrcs
sed you upon both of the subjects at length
before, have only to call your attention
to the suggestions then made.
My former recommendations, in rcla.
ton to suitable provision for various OBJ
jectS of the deep interest to the inhabi-
tants Of the District of Columbia, are re.
newed. Many of these objects partake
largely of a national character, and arc
important, independently Of their relation
to the prosperity of the only considerable
organized com munity in the Union, entire
ly unrepresented in Congress.
| have thus presented suggestions on
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