The Texas Republican. [volume] (Marshall, Tex.) 1849-1869, 1855-05-12

to the 6 alyeston committee, in relation to
the .abiec, OF internal improvements.
Goyernor Pease appe,rs as the advocate
of VIVA, is termed the state system OF in'
ierual Improvement. which j. simply. that
the state shall consirur, and Own - pub
le works.
We have sincere regard for ihe author
Of ,h. letter and for hia opinions lie i
an able counsellor ard an honest man
The ssraciiy he has manifested in the adj
m.uis,rat.on Of the Goyernmeu. during the
brief bu, trying period be has occupied the
aubernatofial chair. and tho fidelity, firm,
ness. md mistaken honesty Of purpose
which have marked his course, are alike
creditahl. to his head and heart. His Is
ar ong tho cherished names which the state
OF Texas would delight to honor
But vsile we entertain these feeling. TO.
ward. Gov pease, and candidly admit that
It would afford "a the highest qualification
to sgree with him IN opinion, we must
confess tina, we read his letter with any.
thing bu, -atisiso,ion. Unlike the adgo .
Gates Of the State system, generally, he 50.
prchends the df'iculiie. IN the way Of the
policy he advocates. and endeevors by
plausible plan, which he has detailed, to
obyia,c them. fla. ho succeeded II
there was reasonable ground to hope that
the State convention which he IS in favor OF
calling during the ensuing year for the
purpose Of modifying our constitution,
would conllne itself to such alterations in
that instrument "a are generally acknowl
edged to be necessary, and restrict the leg
isla.iye power on the subject of internal
Improvements within the bounds which he
suggests II it could be shown that a harN
monious system could he devised beneii
cal alike to every section, which would be
adopted by that body there would still re,
main in our humble opinion iusuperable
objections to the State ystem These are
10 he Attributed to the inpetlection Of the
system itself--the want Of economy. and
the temptations 10 corruption IN the dis
bursment Of such large amount Of pub
he money Bot ii these difficulties loom
np before IL, oven under the most favorable
circumstances how much greater j. the
room for apprehension when We consider
that tho call OF convention at this time,
would IN all probability, lead to the reno
val Of all those important, salu,ary safes
CARDS which at present exist sgsins, reck
less and improvJent les,slaton Il there
any probability that the Convention
would agree, or could by any possibility
dsyise a system If internal improvements
which would meet tho requirements Of the
various conflicting interests OF the State
We think not
The Governor proposes that the state
shall enter At once upon prospective debt
Of thirteen millions of dollars, by tho ex>
pendiure Of which he contemplates the
construction of twelve hundred miles Of rail
road within ten wears Waving all IDEAS
/ Of dagger to the State from this indebted,
nesa, and presupposlng that Che enterpti1e
will he successfully carried out, does it
meet the wants of the State VIII our
people res, conten,ed with the idea that
they are to have but 300 miles Of rail road
within ten years The central road alone
ia egh, handrod miles long, and there are
other important lines which will Increase
the amount to some two thousand or TWEEN
ty,fve hundred miles, the construction OF
which is necessary to harmonic all inter>
esfs
We are equally opposed to the principle
OF lending the public money Of the State
I for railroads or any other purpose, aud for
the reason that we have never known
State TO adopt this policy without losing all
OF It's funds Georgia affords q memora,
bic instance. A. one session Of the Leg.
ls,ure they proposed to lend the State.
money to the banks, but placed snch safe /
guards around it as to keep it secure This /
however established the principle. At
the nsst session Of the Legislature the oh. /
sruc,ons were removed, and in a few |
wear, the money WAS all gone. /
So far as we have been able 10 learn, the /
State system has not operated well in any
State Of the Union. 1t is commended we
are aware, TIM, il has worked well in New
York bu, we see from late accounts, that
the insutiicency Of means to pay the inter
est for the Canal debt in that State is a
half million this year and will be a million
the next, But New York s entirely dife,
zen, from Texas Che had few works of
internal improvement to complete and there
was consequently bu, little conflict OF opin
ion She had large population, the ad,
vantage Of an immense foreign emigration,
aad wealthy city on the sea board to as.
sist her. Bn, II il has been successful in
New York. where else has /, been penn>
sylvauia is bankrupt by ii, and many other
states ar not in much better condition
state taxation" says Gov. ?. "is the