Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1857-03-31
TAXATION AND INTERNAL IMPROVE
MENTS.


TAXATION AND INTERNAL IMPROVE
MENTS.
Thetaxes imposed upon the people OF virginia al
present, are heavier, perhaps, than many Of them
would wish. Their internal improvements are lam
gushing for want Of the means Of prosecution
A gigantic scheme for the advancement OF all the in
dus,rial arts, the facilitat!on Of every branch of trade,
and the connection and communion OF every channe
Of commerce, has been agreed upon and begun with
an energy worthy The object, and q ~lberality charac.
teristlc Of the State.
The great cause OF internal improvements In 'r-
GINA, SO long a source Of controversial confess" and
sasa5onistic opinions in our legislature, IL at last al
most universally acknowledged and advocated as es'
ssn,isl to tue progress and prosperity o. every por-
ton Of the Commonwealth. The people have been
impressed with enlarged and liberal views of q moro
enlightened State policy. Trans.Alie1hsny, Pied
mon, and the Valley, have long ago been convinced
o: The imperative Importance of railroads and canals,
leading line, between the principal emporiuns of
trade, aud collateral connections ranifying In every
direction, like ~rlvulets, :hs; run into rivers, and sup.
ply them from a Thousand different sources. And
ths people Of Tide. water Virginia, satisfied Of the
fact that their lnnumerable natural channels Of com.
nsree were intended by God to be used by man as
outlets for the products of the interior, as we'll as to
convey their own commodities to market, no longer
stpbbora!y and selfshly refuse to oontributeito the de.
velopment Of the resources of other sections Of the
State, so as to enhance their own; but throughout
The limits OF Virginia, there i, a wholesome sentiment
on the subject Of informal Improvements, in keeping
with The spirit 0: sUe age, and in accordance with
the interests OF eaca aud every section Of the State.
The policy has bsen adopted, tbs work has been
coamenoed; and nothing now remains but to sccom
plish the undertaking in all its length and breadth,
be rapidly repaid, and with incalculabls interest, to
every man, woman and child in Virginia.
But, iii said, thspeople are already groanirg under
.he taxation necessary for the paymeato Of the expenses
Of the public works, so far, this. they can bear no more
taxes, and the internal improvements mus; stand still.
This nay all be very true. But it should not be
so. II the taxes have become burjsnsome, and COM
plants are long aud loud, let it be borne in mind by
the people shat it will profit them in the cad al c.a-
not last long; and let them hayo 20 ha-oisn to endure
The disag .eeabie remedy. that they may soon expe-
rience its sslu,ary effects. A reginen has been pre-.
scribed by the representatives. ior the ills OF whica
GIG people themselves complained aud they must
aaae:s 10 il, ii they would reap the good that
Gu: of evil-the years of happiness resulting from
moments of pain. That the people OF Virginia have
the intelligence TO appreciate !he!r interests, and the
patriotism and pride to maintain them, las too often
been demonstrated to admit. Of : doubt.
We would not DO understood as Implying an sdvo-
necy Of increased taxation, Coz the purpose of pushing
% The incomplete public works. But We would
appeal to every enterprisiag, intelligent, Liberal
minded nan in the State, not 10 be impatient under
ais taxes; 10 pay out willingly to the Commonwealth
nat the Commonwealth may in turn pay back TO him
tne prospective profits of bis investment in the CREST
oao.ic improvements; 70 smile upon the surgeon who
:aajc;s pain in the performance c. c c:.c.
The existing state OF taxation is seized upon BY
sAs oppoacnts OF tine Democratic party, Us 1T oopor.
.aae occasion for Z revival o. the o. cry of ''dis.-!-
~oa,;ou," a-1 hcIped upon es a rads:c that Virginia
should demand ner share of the public lands. But
sne peopie Of this sloricu. old State Gre made of
~'sterno. stuff" than that Plastic clay which can be
moulded into any form 20 accommodate tie oaprices
o; an hour. Like ali other civilized communities,
they have uses fo1 money and appreciate its valne.
Bal thay have also tho understanding to discriminate
oer;yasa brass ahd sol-;o apply r~..2c;a.e. 10 p:o1o.
s,..uas. and Distinguish ~isl!sc:es :.on facts They
So 20 Conservative 10 be de!uded by l;ge.= .tissd
l.,y know sol wasro. e=a 100 sensible 10 sacrifice
,ne:r w~ei:2.s for future sses, to the eisenoles OF day
o. q mon:h 0. Z year.
Teach the honest old farmer tina; hi. crop will be
increased by tho application Of a certain compost.
sci be Is, Of course, ros, willing 20 try II. Bat lot
him 5s convinced that the compost belongs - ali tie
c.azs Gas OF the State conformity, and is for some other
soec.ssd purpose, and he will rot touch it, because
he has nc. the right; Or le: hin e~na.yze lite properties
and its action, and ascertain that by adding to his
csan.ity Of corn < wouid diminish his wheat in a
much larger ratio, and he will forego its use as some
thing plausible, but opposed to principle and practice.
Aud so with tho public lands, however be may COM
plaia of high taxes lie will never consent to lessen
;ham by demanding that which no he's no right or
resson to ask, or by paying 10 the sheriff Of the county
out Of one pocket, and into the treasury of the
United States out Of two. He is too wide
awake to his own and the interests OF Ills State, TO
s.y q tai of Hfty dollars to-day out OF one fund and
.episce to.morrow With sixty dollars out of another
fluid.
The State OF Virginia has ample resources within
herself to reduce the taxes Of her citizens aud COM
pls.e her public works, which, II acted upon, will &C.
compllsh the object readily. II it is admitted that
che !. dependent upon tue aid OF q federal fund, for
the completion of her public improvements, there is
an acknowledgment at once, that she is wanting In the
elements of independence, and not able to develop her
OWE resources and fulfill her own destiny. without the
assistance of the General Government. But her people
anticipate the imputstion, and avert the occasion
ths, could give rise to il, by re.afirming In May their
determination not to touch the public lands. The for.
hidden fruit may look luscious and be handed round
with high praises upon its excellence. But the peo'
pie will refuse It. Their tongues may parch with
thi-a,. But the mirage in the desert will never mis-.
lead them.