Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1858-02-02
APPROPRIATIONS TO INTERNAL IMPROVE
MENTS

So far as We have been enabled to ascertain there
is little disposition On the part Of the present Legs
iaure 10 make any extensive appropriations TO works
Of internal Improvement and for the rrefIagahle
reason that The financial condition oi Virginia, IN
common with that Of tho whole coantry, we might
almost say the whole world, does no! permit L. There
is, however, a very wide difference between pru.
dent abrldSment and an overcau:ious curai!iug Of
appropriations. The one involves true the ether
false economy. 1t s one thing TO save money by
guarding against exraragant expenditure and quite
another thing TO attempt 10 economizs by euch ex-
cessve caution ns to lose the principal as well as the
profits OF that which has already been expended -
Therefore, while We highly approve the policy of re-.
fusing at present to make any appropriations fo-
works not yet commenced, large appropriations for
those that hare been begun but are go far from com
petion as still to lean heavily upon the helping hand
sci a judicious provision for such works as
are already sufficiently advanced as TO promise
speedy and rapid remuneration, with the mid
OF moderate additional amount OF money from
the Commonwealth For those works that would
require very large sums to complete them, and which
must necessarily re.ogrsde aad depreciate if totally
neglected, we would advise appropriations sulli.
clent to preserve them from deterioratior-nothng
more. And, such IS are almost finished, ahouId be
| completed as soon as possible. This course ws think
is dictated by proper sense Of economy.
We will lay before our readers Tomorrow
the "report of the committee on roads ard
internal navigation on the various applications
for appropriations Ii advances the same views.
and places the question which we are treat.
ing, before the Legislature, lucdy and seusibly.-
The respective conditions of the different roads for
which appropriations are recommended will, OF
| course, determine the several sumo expedent TO,
each. And we cannot but think that an elevated
public spirit and on enlightened fenso of economy
and justice will induce the present Legislature
which, We believe is amply endowed with those
virtues, SO essential to iur,herauco OF the in
terests OF the Commonveslth-to exercise com
mendable prudence, without falling into the error
OF an li-consldered, overcsutiOus and uuecunomca
course On this question, which is really of vital impor
tance to the whole State In brief space of Tins
the clouds that have lstely 80 threaeningly lowered
over the commercial world, may have been entirely
disspated and the sunshine of prosperi,; will smile
again, and infuse with genial warmth and renovated
vigor, all those source Of wealth and trade that hsYs
suffered go severely from the financial storm The
revenue OF Virginia may soon be greatly increased b,
other means than an additional tax upon persons ant
private property. Tie contracted treasury of tn.
State may ere long bs richly replenished. And ther
ample appropriations :or all the valuable works o.
internal improvements may be asked and We doub
not they will Ire cheerfuly made. Meantime, We trus
that the interests Of the State i'll not be permitted Il
be impaired, by either allowing works in process O
construction but far from being nished deprecate
for want appropriations TO to preserve them or those
that are almost completed, to laDgush for the email
sums necessary to render them Immediately active
useful and lucrative.
The owners OF the great steamship Lsviathan ex
pended an enormous cum in constructing her
And in launching her, they find that they must also
make another immense outlay. Now We ask, wouic
it be more economical in them, to allow her 10 rot
The 'cdys, than to appropriate few more thousands
of dollars to launch herl No rational man can an
swer otherwise than no. And the case Of the owners
Of the Levathan is strikipgly analogous to that O
the State Of Virginia, with reference TO such of he
internal improvements ss are almost within en- arm
reach Of completion.
After the seeds have been sown and the COLDER
grain isrolling in rich lu1ursnce before him, surel,
no provdent husbandmsn would refuse 10 reap be
cause the times are hard and seythes high
We will imagine an individual, who has invested
large amount Of money in some commodity, which
needs only to be transported to some distant city o
country, to pay to him tremendous profit. Bu
when he applies for vessel, he finds the freight yer,
high and concludes to let his merchandise remsir
where it lie, and waste and decay rather than incu
the expense of Transporting it. Let the Legislator,
| apply the moral in considering the suggestions @
the committee on roads and internal navigation.