American union. [volume] (Morgantown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1855-1859, 1857-04-11
TO THE DEMOCRACY OF MON
ONGALIA.

/
whose partially l fear places too high
an estimate upon my abilities to serve
you in that responsible position accept
ably, conceive it to be my duty, in
conformity with what appears to be the
established usage, to say that in the
event of my nomination and election,
L shall be actuated in all my official
acts by considerations looking solely to
the interests and honor of the State,
and the local interests of this county
especially. .-| 81 A.s++~
Endorsing in their fullest extent the
views of the National Democratic par
ty in relation to the proper disposition
of the public lands, which are well
known to be hostile to the principle and
policy of distribution, Twill, of course,
conform my action to the we'll known
doctrines of the Democracy on this
question, shouldit, with Interior objects,
be thrust BY the opposition into the next
Legislature; but cannot, in the brief
limits of this Card, enter into an ex-
tended discussion of this subject.
Amongst the local questions vitality
affecting the interests of this county,
that may properly call for legislative
interposition and action, is the right of
our citizens to the free and unrestrict-
ed navigation of the Monongahela.-
The numbering and agricultural inter-
ests of this county have for years suf-
fered great loss and Inconvenience,
arising from the policy of the 'Monon-
gahela Navigation Company We
think any further forbearance with the
exactons of that insatiate Corporation
should not be tolerated. One Of two
things should be required list. The
immediate completion of the Improve
ment to the State line, as required by
the original Act of Incorporation, pass
ed by the Pennsylvania Legislature in
1S35-or, I'd. The exemption from
tolls on all property belonging to citi-
zens of our Commonwealth, residing
in the upper Monongahcla valley.
The unrestricted navigation of this
essential outlet to a market, is our un-
deniable right, and which we can never
surrender or allow to be monopolized
by a foreign Corporation. Whilst the
cost Of every article of consumption
such as Salt, the manufactures of Iron,
NC, have been enhanced, and the pro.
ducts of cur forests and farms, seeking
n market, have been subject to an on
erous tax, in the shape of tolls, exact
cd by this soulless Corporation, what
equivalent have we gained by the par
tial completion of this Improvement :?
None whatever. Here, then, is the
most fragrant imposition, and impera-
lively calls orlcgislative intcrposition.
We regard our noble Monongahela as
a public highway, and its free naviga-
ton our imprcscriptiblc right, not to be
annulled by the legislation of another
State.
Then, fellow-c citizens, what is our
remedy? l reply that the only means
of relief we can suggest is by legisla-
tive enactment to authorize and direct
the institution of suit in the United
States Court, by the proper legal officer
OF the State, to restrain this Company,
in the present unfinished condition of
the Improvement, from the imposition
of tolls upon our property seeking a
market, or destined to any point within
the limits Of Virginia.
We believe this course is dictated by
that jealous regard the State should
ever extend to the interests of large,
intelligent ard industrious class of the
citizens of this county, who have di-
rect interest in such policy.
IF the day should ever arrive that
will witness the completion of this I'M
proyemcnt to our State line, sound pol.
icy then, we think, would dictate the
necessity FORTS extension to some point
in our territory. Although we are
well apprized that the cost of transpor.
tation will be enhanced by the Improve
ment, yet as it will extend the period
of navigation and furnish daily facili-
ties of trade and travel, the extension
of the improvement will then become
an object of primary Importance
Until then, however, my own convic-
ton is, that the course | have above
suggested is our true policy.
Owing to the present depressed con-
aition of the monetary affairs of the
State, | do not think it probable, how
ever desirable it may be in some res
poets, that our State can be induced, at
the next session of the Legislature, to
make any further appropriations to our
unfinished roads. Every dollar of such
appropriations is first taken from your
pockets in the shape of taxes, and when
it is known that our present taxes only
meet e1isting liabilities, you thus see
at once, that the policy of appropria-
tons, at present, is but another name
| for increased taxation,