The Feliciana Democrat. (Clinton, La.) 1855-186?, 1857-06-06
The Public Works Of Virginia.

Governor Wise Of Virginia IN aycccnt letter TO
the agent of an association in Franco TO establish
line of steamers between Norfork aud lIavrc draws
n glowing picture of the present and future prosper
ity Of that renowned old State. and attributes IL all
TO her fostering the construction of railroads and
canals in her midst Although il has cost her large
SUN of money vet She has been amply repaid IN the
increased value of real estate, negroes ana personal
property within her borders So great and bcncl-
cial las been the result Of her present public works
that he advocates the expenditure Of twenty five
millions Of dollars in the next ten years. in addition
to the amount already expended. He says that her
real estate has increased one hundred millions
of dollars within the last five years her slaves have
doubled in value. and personal property has ncreas-
ed in the same proportion. After drawing this pic
ture Of prosperity and growing greatness Of Virgin
ia. and advocating the proprcty of an expenditure
of 50, 800 600 per annum, in extending and compet-
ing her public works he says:
.Ir our people are able and willing TO bear
this burden for n decade or two, rather than sac
rifce The expenditures already made, rather than
dslonor the State credit and rather than fore%o my
posed to be accomplished by some few Of The main
make any Of them profitable But If party selfish
ness and blindness the fears and acts ordcma@ocncs
want of patriotism or want of wisdom and virtue
shall raise camor against taxation, though II b
only three millions. upon eight hundred millions, o.
three cights Of one per cent only upon the value o
our property. and shall lower the standard Of Stat
enterprise, honor and progress. as well as the rat
of taxes Yet. sir, we have other sources Of revenue
which may be resorted to. which will certainly guar
anicc and justify expenditure of twenty five mill
ions in the next ten years"
, How encouraging is this to other States, who mr.,
commencing the construction ofrailroods? Already
her lands increased over one hundred millions o
dollars her 100000 negroes doubled in value am
her personal property raised to like value and vet he
public works not half completed? The Governor says
when these shall been completed "Virgna will h
an empire within herself in the anomalous condtio
of an old State with all the undcvclopcd resources
p new State, and of State with all the ameol
h atoms of an old State Let us be aged /
o Louisiana, and foster and perfect system of rail
;. roads. throughout our borders. that will produc
2 like results amongst u.s. The State constitution ha
wisely provided to give aid to companies formed fo
+ making internal Improvement WIDELY or PARTIAL
II within this State. Certainly in no other State ca
II railroads be built with less expense. We have n
t. mountains nor rocks to cut through but general
d level country whose soil is easily penetrated j
c the spade and shovel
!. That railroads properly constructed and economic
s. ally managed. are the best internal Improvements
the present age, no longer remains open qucstio
y 1t has been so powerfully demonstrated in yaro,
Stntn Tat
D. how two opinions could be entertained upon the
Is ject. Increased facilities to market increased f
cilies for TRAVELLING and increased value of prope
is ty haa generally resulted from the construction
railroads. that there is scarcely any part Of the cou
a. try, but Is looking out for ways and means to reu
er their advantages 1t is now known to be the mo
lie certain, sure, and efcatious way to deyelope an
IL bring into operation the resources of State II,
ID waste lands and inaccessible places, may by lb