Daily Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1857-1858, 1857-10-08

of our sister States which detfacts materially from
the facilities of travel and the transfer of the
plus products to the main channels of commerce,
both as to the rivers and railroads which penetrate
the country, bearing off the great staples of the
State to distant markets. The condition in which
public roads now kept depreciates materially
the value of all property real and personal, which
is not situated Immediately upon nayigabe
streams or line of railroads. Besides, the expense
and burden of keeping up sour public roads fall
mainly upon that portion of our fellow citizens who
are least able to bear it. and who have the least use
for public roads after they have been put in
pair. Many of our fellow citizens compelled to
perform manual labor on the public roads, num-
Der of days in the course of year, who have not
the time to spare from their other pursuits without
pay. Their own condition and the necessities Of
their families are such, as to require the proceeds
Of their entire labor for their support while on the
other hand there many who exempt by Law
from working the public roads, who either
able physically to work or pecuniarily to pay for
having it DONE and in fact who derive the greatest
benefit from good roads when they are made, by
the enhanced value good roads always impart pro-
perry. There are many of our fellow citizens who
deal in thousands, and own in value large amounts
Ofproperty, who never pay farthing to Keep our
public roads in repair to open new ones, while
there others who own property and whose
pecuniary dealings are confined to their absolute
necessities and who have not even vehicle Of any
kind, nor one single pound Of surplus product 20
transport on them, but who under our present laws
are required to toll many days in the year in repair
ing roads which are of little no use to them. In
view of changing or modifying present system
of public roads, must respectfully invite your at
tention to the systems adopted in the States OF
Ohio and Pennsy lvania, where property and other
taxes levied for the purpose of keeping them up,
and thereby establishing and carrying out the prin-
cpe that all persons who derive the greatest bene
fit from their being keptin repair and in proper con-
ditiOn for the travelling public shall pay correspond
ingIy out of their means for the benefits thus con
ierred All persons should contribute to the support
of the government under which they live, il pro-
portion to the protection which they may receive
from it. 1t is the physical power in a government,
under the direction of law, which gives security,
protection and value to all the property owned by
the citizen. The owners OfprOperty constitute but
a very small portion who make up what is common
" denominated the physical power Of the govern
ment; the nOn-property holder constitutes not less
than three and perhaps four-ffths Of those who
make the aggregate of physical power. This is the
population that is called upon in time of danger and
need to suppress instruction at home or TO Iepel
invasion from abroad. 1t will be perceived, though
they are not property holders, they constitute one
of the most important elements in the government;
hence the conclusion against expressing that pOr-
ton ofthe community which gives protection and
security to all who own property, real and personal
Our present road system, tmust be conceded by all
who reasonable and just, operates unequal and
oppressive upon the great mass OF the people, and
it ought to undergo radical and thorough change.
therefore most respectfully recommend TO your IA
vorable consideration the prOpriety and justice of
so changing or modifying our common road system
to conform it to the requirements of the public
judgment and wants of the country, and that il be
done during the present session OF the Legislature.
LAW REFORM.
On two former occasions called the attention of
the Legislature to this all important subject deep
ly interesting to the people throughout the State,
and earnestly pressed the adoption of a system
fefaIro Il
public iudgmentin the popular elections which have
recently taken place, and will again refer the Gene
raj Assembly TO my views then expressed upon
this subject with the earnest hope that the Legisa
ture wilt conform their action the popular will, in
carrying iJ out at the earliest day practicable. avn
advised that Messrs. Cooper and Megs, who have
been appointed by the Legislature prepare g Di-
gest of the Laws of this Site have with great
and much labor performed that service aud will az
early day submit their Digest TO your inspection
and consideration.
II our system Of jurisprudence is so modified as
to conform to the requirements Of the public inter
est, during your present sitting, aim advised that
the Digest which has been prepared, can be saited
adapted TO the change which may be made in
system Of jurisprudence, with but little labor and
very slight alterations
These are subjects that viii merit your care and
attention, which have doubt they will receive
at carly day Of your session.
AGRIcULrURAL BUREAU.
Under the act Of 1913, establishing a State Ag-i-
cultural Bureau, charters have been granted 70
Agricultural Societies in thirty six counties viz:
Six in East Tennessee fifteen in Middle Tennessee,
and fifteen ia West Tennessee. or these, abou.
twenty-five have complied with the Law in regard 20
annual reports thus emitting themselves % ;he
bounty provided by The act from the State TFeasu-
rs, of two hundred dollars each. Fairs were held
last year in twenty Counties, in addition 20 the
State and Division fairs. Reports of these fairs,
with specific statements Of the manner in which the
bounty Of the State has been applied, vii be laid
before YOU in the Biennial Report Of the Secretary
OF the Bureau.
The opening Of works Of Internal Improvements
in different sections of the STATE, all0fdug means
for the more rapid aud cheap transportation Of the
products OF the field 20 market, aud consequently
enhancing the price which the producer realizes
tor his investment Of labor and capital, has awaken
ed new interest in improved modes u cultivation
and IN those labor.saviug machines by which har-
vests Of large fields are speedily gathered and pre-
pared for market as well in improved aud more
valuable breeds of domestic animals. 4 large pOr-
ton Of the soil Of Tennessee Is of exhaustless iert