Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1857-06-23
THE Public WORKS OF VIRGINIA.

Governor Wise Of Virginia, in recent letiei Il"
the agent OF association in France to estaoish
line of steamers between Norfolk and Havre, draws
glowing picture Of the present and failure prosper
" of that renowned old State, aud attributes HI ~
her fostering The construction of railroads and canas
in her midst. Although il has cost her large sum OF
money, yet she has been amply repaid in the increase"
value of real estate, negroes and personal propery
within her borders. So great and beneficial mas oeen
the result of her present public works, that he ahVo
Gates the expenditure ii twenty-five millions {" DOL
lars in the next ten year, in addition to the amount
already expended. He says that her real estate has
increased over one hundred millions Of dollars win
in the last FIVE years, her slaves have doubled III
value, and her personal property has increased III the
same proportion After drawing this picture OF pros
perity and growing greatness OF Virginia, and acvo,
eating the prOpriety Of an expenditure Of s!5oVoo
per annum in extending and completing her puolic
works he says:
.If our people are able and willing to bear this
burden for decade wo rather than sacrifice the
expenditures already made rather than dishonor the
State credit and rather than orego any longer than
absolutely necessary the great ends proposed 10 be
accomplished by some few OF the main works of i'm
provement necessary to he finished to make any
of them profitable, oil will be well. But it
party selfshness and blindness, the fears and
acts Of demagogues, want of patriotism or
want OF wisdom and virtue. shall raise g clamor
against la1ation though be only three millions up
on eight hundred millions, three-eghths Of one per
cent only upon the value Of our property and shall!
lower he standard Of State enterprise honor and pro-
gress as we'll the rate OF taxes; yet, Sir We have
other sources of revenue which may BIZ resored TO-,
which will certainly guarantee and justify an expen,
dlture of twenty-five millions in the next len years.
How encouraging is this to other States, who are
commencing the construction Of rail roadsl Alres.
dy her lands increased over QUE hundred millions OF
dollars; her 500 QUO negroes doubled in value, and
her personal property raised TO like value and yet
her public works not half completed? The Governor
says. when these shall have been completed ''Vrgi-
mia will be an empire within herself. in the anoma-
ous condition of an old State with all the undevelOp
ed resources Of new State and of new Sta;e with
all the amsorstions Of old State" Let US be en-
couraged in Louisiana, and foster and perfect sys.
tenn of rail roads throughout our bo-a"rs. that vii!
produce lis results amongst US. The State constitu
tio, Las wisely provided to give aid to companies
formed for making Internal improvement, wholly or
partially within this State. Certainly in no other
State can rail rva..s be built with less expense. We
have mountains roche 20 cut through, but gene
rally level couH;ry whose soil is eas, penetrated
by the spade and shovel.
That rail roads properly co-s:ructed and eccnonl.
caly managed, are the beat internal improvements
of the present ase, longer reinnus On open ques-
ZION. 4; has been 30 powerfully demonstrated IN Va
roHs States OF this Uniop and IN Europe, that VIC
wonder how two opinions could outeI ,a.nr'i unon
the subject Increased facilities TO MARKET increased
facilities for travelling; and Increased value OF pro
perty has gene-sy .csulted from the construction
of rail roada that there is scarcely any part OF the
country but is looking out for ways and means to
reap their advantages. II ID now known TO be the
most certain sure and eficacious way, TO develope
aud bring into operation the resources of State
Her waste lands and inaccessible places, may by
this means be brought into use, aud made TO bloom
and blossom as tho rose. This is no fancy picture
drawn from the Imagination, but i i cslity, in
rious States of this confederscy. Instances ere nu
meroua, which We could cite, but deem !: unIeces-
sary.
All the States are progressing in this great work 10
a greater or lees extent. Shall Louisiana be behind
hef ei.;srsl We will MT believe t.-tCinton (La)