Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1858-02-02
REpoRr OF THE COMMITTEE OK E''h''
AND INTERNAL NAVIGATION IN hh
VARIOUS APPLICATIONS; ron A"?RH-
PRIaTIOSS

REPORT OF THE COMhii iEi- " -
AND INTERNAL NAVIGATION oH ihh
VARIOUS APPLICATION; ron h"?kH-
PRIATlOES.
Tns Committee CD Roads and iatefns! Nicisa:ir n,
:, whom were referred various applications ioi ~
nropriations to works oil internal Improvement. nave
had the same under cons'ue'a''oh' eni '"o"" Ao
following report:
The frat point to which the attention o! he com
nitee was directed, the condition =" The linahcee
of the State, because thu pr"pre'y OF making a"y
appropriations 10 works. however Ineri:orlous, mh-s
necessarily depend on the ability OF the COMMON
wealth to meet its engagements.
Y, ur committee were s4ts.ied from an exalnina
ton ~ IN. report of the First Auditor, thsf nuuer
the existing rate of taxation the revenue OF the Siae
will be sufficient. TO pay the interest ON inc pune
debt, and all tn, Ordinary expenses oil me nn
nj. and leave an annual surpias oil over sooo Wv
provided the treasury can be relieved vi hca''"s
debt OF Abou. 81 200O0O arising oat OF me eu,.Ho
OF treasury notes, a deficiency in the Sinking nhd
and certain acceptance uf the Board al fuo
lie Works, in favor of contractors ioF "oFs
already DONE These liabilities have been srt
fered to accumulate III the treasury s"r sew
eral Years, and have beccm. the csuse OF serlous
embarrassment. They do not property Constitute
charge on the revenue OF The present year. nut nov
ing been allowed to increase 10 an anount sunc'eu.
10 abs ,rb the whole surpiu, revenue Tor the ptese
and n-xt succeeding fiscal years, your comni''ee
have been conpslled To consider. in the outset, NO"
this burthen can be adjusted with the least ~
the public interests Ii the whole OF II oe paa ou W
the wears 1858 and 1859, is obvious tha' thefe vi"
be no means in the treasury TO meet the interest on
any further loan for improvements. and they INST
cJis ouenty, be suspended. Tha, IN the opinion OF
your committee would be followed by serious injury
to the State, many OF he works in "hoh the Com
mouwsath is largely interested as stakeholder, ars
now in condition Of great forwardness, and need but
small additional appropriations to render the Gums al
ready expended beneficial 10 the public and proaoie
to tue State If arrested in their present condition.
they must necessarily 20 to decay ana Inc ouI'ay
which has already been made will be LOST, instead OF
becoming source Of revenue. An enlightened seuse
OF economy therefore, as we'll "a sense oil justice 10
individuals who have invested their private means
in these work. the faith that they would be prose
cu,sd TO completion alike demand hat II prac'icaoie
some appropriations should be- made to carry them
In fur,herancs of this desirable object, your com
mi;tee proceeded to enquire whether II Wouiu
mot be possible to adopt come measures by when Tue
floating debt of the Commonwealth, Instead of being
discharged within two years. con.d oe o's'''ou'eu
through series OF years, 40 as 10 hpP'y oHe run
Of the surplus revenue, annually, 10 lis e&theu'su'
men,, and leave the other hall uhencutnoeren anu a
NAV n, .ff- ctsd tor work. Of internal Improvement
Your committee are gratifed to be able 10 state a'
thew have had a conference with some OF the officers
of the three deposit banks IN thid CITY, ana iroI Tue
Iihsrnl and eugh ened sentiments expressed by ihnse
gentlemen, they are satisfied that all Arrangement
can be MAD. through those institutions by which the
floating debt, or large portion OF IT, Can DC 1'etrou
ted through period Of five years, one Nun being
maid annually whereby one.haf Of tho sup plus reve
nue. or in round numbers, S30OOOO, ANNUALLY, will be
left applicable TO the purposes OF internal improve
ment. And WHEN the floating debt rha:l have o.en
extipgushed, at the eud of five years there wii De-
on the present basis Of taxation, without takiak inio
account any new subjects Of taxation or any increase
OF revenue for the enhancement in value oil Inc pre-
sent subscts, or any additional receipts into tho lrea
sury FROM improvements which may, III Inc ineati'
time have been rendered. productive, au annual aui
plus OF over $bOO,0OO. =.
Assuming therefore, that the Present revenue 1us
ies and that souud policy demands, additional mp
preparations for the prosecution OF the System OF I'm
provelnents in which the State Is aiIeaoy ~ largely
Interested your COMMITTEES proceeded next 10 CONSUL
ar tn. principles by which they should BIO regulated
in their Recommendations Of appropriations Tor THIS
object.
The wide spread embarrassment which at this time
peryades the country the general prosratlon Oh ousi
and the natural disrust which springs out OF the
existing condition of things, concurred TO adnon'sh
your committee that great caution WIS necessary III
treating the subject OF appropriations sacred 70.
gard 10 the honor aud credit OF the State required
sbat nothing should be done which would tend. IN the
syttsst degree. to impair conhdence Ia The ability
aud determination Of the Commonwealth, 10 meet all
| ts engagements with tho most scrupulous hdelity
and punc,ualiiy. To this end it will be necessary
20 keen our III prop,ia ious Within such prudent
limits as will give ASSURANCE TO the puDnc mat we
are not about enter upon system OF reckless ana
extrayspant expenditures but on the contrary thRt
| va are aotng discreetly, having reference, IN the
aggregate amount appropriated, to our abiIi'y to
nav and in the selection OF the works to be prosecl'
fsj 10 the revenue 10 be speedily derived, not only
| from the Gums nov applied TO them, but from those
previously invested. Your committee are persuaded
that reasonable appropriations, regulated by these
principles, will command the appreciation oil the
constituent body, and will tend to strengthen rHther
than to impair confidence in the public securities OF
| the Commonwealth.
In conformity with these general views, your com
mttee are OF the opinion that, in the present condition
az the Dauces Of State, would not be expeoien
AT this ,ilnp to undertake any new work ot improve
ment but that all our energies should be- directed Z"
| the prosecution and completion OF works already
| oomm -ucsd and GU which large expenditures nave
ALREADY been made, and such auxiliary wo:ks as ere
| of indispensable Importance.
II eppears from the report Of the Second Auditor
that the State is interested rs socktoa In all
thu principal work. in progress or completed. The
foowiuy tabular etateInent e1hibtthe extent O thai
| inieres; IN each Improvement: can an,
| Coyiugon and Ohio railroad, ei'oooOuo
Virginia Central railroad, 2ni0'euu
| Orange and Alexandria railrohd, sss'ou,
| Norfolk and Petersburg railroad, ?nO OG,
Manassa Gap railroad, l'ooo On ,
Al.xandria ioudoun aud Hampshire railroad, l:OOOC
| Richmond aud York River railroad 3Oocet
Making An aggregate OF Ss,Uo9 SOC
Al! these roads are incomplete and will require FUR
thor assistance from the State 10 finish them, and
rsuder tho Gums heretofore Invested productive