Nashville daily patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1855-1857, 1856-02-09

III tHe IHt 20 ttCOfp0FHtc the Sumner, La
faystte and Red .Salphar Springs Tara
PIKE Company tie House Of Repre-
sentatires, Jan. l6, 1856.
Mr. Dewitt said It was due to his constituents
Of the counties OF Macon and Sumner, that be
should be heard with reference TO what was asked
in this bill lie explained the single point Of differ
ence between the bill adopted in Iieu and tile ori-
ginal bill consist in the location Of the road from
Harris Ferry by way Of the town Of Lafayette to the
Red Sulphur Springs On examination OF the Acts
OF Assembly, he found that road had been char.
tered at the Session Of ls49-50, leading from
Harris Ferry 20 the Kentucky State liae,-occupy-
ing portion of the route; and cons quendy. it
was unnecessary for that portion Of the road to be
chartered again. The substitute he had drawn,
and which had been adopted by the House, was
charter for the balance of the road. Il differed
from the original bill in no other respect--asking
the aid Of the State upon precisely the same pinci
pie that it is extended TO all other roads.
With reference to granting State aid for this
class Of roads, il apparent, from ths sentiments
Of gentlemen expressed this floor in the early
part Of the session. that il would be difficult to ob
tain it. It would seem to be the determination OF
many, that more State credit should be given
for the purpose of constructing turnpike roads
where. As far my opinions are concerned (ssid
Mr.. Dewitt with reference to the subject of Inter
nal Improvements, do not know that they could
have anything to do with the passage OF this bill;
but if could think any expression Of my views ia
this place would avail anything, | certainly would
not withhold them. | am decided Internal In
provement man, Mr. Speaker: have constantly
admired our noble system, and still remain ul-
swerving in its advocacy, prudent safe and
luaicious system recognized BY the Constitution
Of the State But as these considerations in
ADLER hands than mine, will not detain the House.
| turn to the bill under consideration.
Mr. Speaker, there are merits in this BILL Look
ing to tn locality of the country through which il
runs and the circumstances with which the people
there surrounded and seeing that, if any, they
have but the remotest probability OF ever eI loving
the advantages Of railroad it seems 20 me, that
they should have some means of connecting them
selves with the different arteries of Improvements
for the travel and commerce OF the coultry. Under
the provisions of the bill which was taken up aud
passed the secOEd reading awhile ago, TO alter the
charter of the Alexandria Red Sulphur Springs and
Carthage Turnpike Company, there il a prospect
for outlet for the people of the eastern portion
| of Macon county But as far as the main portion
] Of the country il concerned for their connection
with the county Of Sumner, there is nothing but a
common dit road These dirt roads their only
facilities for getting 10 market But II the road in.
| Dictated in this bill were built it would afford the
| citizens throughout the county of Macon and TIE
upper part of the county of sumner the advantage
OF connecting themselves with the Cumb 3land
! river at Hartsvilie. This will be small adyan-
/ tage, especially to those nearest the road in the
matter OF getting their produce TO market, by this
navigable stream and the waters connected With It,
| But, Mr.. Speaker, there is another consideration
suppose gentlemen are aware, that, in the county
of Macon, at point in this road, there is situa-
ted public watering place. called in the bill the
/ Red Sulphur Springs; and TO and from these
Springs, during about fourth Of the time every
year. there is great deal of travel over that pOr-
ton Of the country through which this road is lc-
Gated This travel comes by the river TO Hartsvile,
from the lower counties of this State, and from
other States and all parts of the country. Many
persons make heee Springs place of resort dur
! ing what is called the watering season. Gentlemen
of leisure wealthy families and fashionable pleasure
seeking parties come out there Tor purposes OF en-
| joyment az well as for the promotion OF health IL
is also place of resort for invaids-time and tx
perience having proved the efficacy of these waters
in Graduating the seeds Of disease.
Mr. Speaker, do not wish to weary the patience
of the House, and the case does not require eabo-
ration. few facts, briefly stated, must suffice to
call attention to the peculiar merits OF this BILL for
gentlemen cannot fail to perceive that it has pecu-
liar ard special merits, considered as an indepen-
dent proposition, disconnected from every other
project of improvement
Sir it this road were built, although we have no
railroad near, and may never have nearer than the
Nashville and Cincinnati Railroad, we would thus
connect ourselves, as have said, with navigable
stream and so far forth our facilities for travel and
transportation could be increased | thiPk, Mr..
Speaker, that the fact that we live in a portion of
the country rather cut of from the immediate ad
vantages resulting from our general system of in
ternal improvements, ought to have favorable
bearing in the minds Of gentlemen, when we come
up and ask for the erection Of our little turnpike.
! think il must be conceded that it is only by ios-
tering such Improvements this bill provides for,
that have fair chance with other portions
OF the State. II, then, there is merit in bill,
and IT il can work no injury to any other portion OF
the State, think sir, the measure ought to be
adopted. | submit and rely upon this cOnsidera-
ton
And this road win be built, cir. The charter ad-
mits OF the employment OF charcoal as well met
| al This provision is favorable to stockholders.
learn that, where timber is abundant, good char.
coal road can be constructed for six hundred dollars
mile. This has been done in the State Of Michi-
gan aud elsewhere at the North; aud this important
advantage is as available this road as anywhere
on earth.
When we look at this work, with reference to in
demniy for the States investment. tar as that is
concerned il il manifest that the State can lose no
thhg. DeiOre tue state gives neF guarantee TOT tue
building Of any part of this road required thai
seven thousand dollars shall De sub croed and Sc
cured, and that the company shall become bound
for its completion; and then, that they shall give,
and make TO the State, all the indemnify that
is usually given, in order TO get her bonds.
Butnow, some ohjectoF might say, all this would
be well enough, provided it would be paying road
I There be question about this being a pay
ing road Mr.. Speaker, for the facts to which have
already referred The interest OF the State would
De amply secured. For three months in the yeai
there is no road in the country having more trave
than must pass over this road There is no turn
pike, nor railroad. nor improvemenl Of any charac
ter more paying than this would be during the va
tering season. and believe the travel is increasing
every year. And tits is not ell. might 20 in's
detail of facts showing that. not only would th'
State lose nothing by this road but that she WouS
be largely the gamer from the enhancement OF ih'
value OF real estate which this improvement woulS
Understanding, and even quadInplng the reVe
nue. Of that region.
Mr. Speaker, | have thought il due 70 this loca
interest and to myself, that l should submit thes'
remarks bot lest l should weary the patience o
gentlemen, | will add nothing further hope
sir, that gentlemen viii lock at this billin jus
fiaht aud erfif eaeaa 10 rauart anr neck nj fhi