Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1858-03-26
THE RICHMOND ENQUIRER.
BY RITCHIR & DUNNAvANT.

THE RICHMOND ENQUIRER.
BY RITCHIR A DUNNAvANT.
FRIDAY, MARCH 28, 1855.
INTERNAL IMPROVEMENTS.
Two weeks ago. when the whole State was ringing
with aoclamstious favorable to the policy adopted by
expression of appreciation was so general and so
hearty that malcontent opposition itself hardly ven.
tured further than the expression of equivocal coin
cdencs, 1t was obvious to all, that popular sentiment
was looking beyond the necessary completion OF the
mere routine business Of Legislation. Many inpor-
tsnt reforms we're still pending, and the public de-
sired Q mature legislative consideration of certain
grand schemes for the extension Of the credit and
financial resources Of the Commonwealth. But the
feeling which prevailed all ohers, for the mo-
ment was hearty congratulaton over the exercise Of
a constitutional duty Of the Executive, by which q
majority Of tho Legislature was enabled to ,hwart
last moment Of the late session, had employed every
srtidcs Of parliamentary strategy aud political com.
blnson, had enlisted patty jsolouses and personal
anmosi.es-had invoked local prejudices and finally
rssorted to the questionable e1pedent of speaking
against tme to secure the defeat Of every project CAL
ouated to extend assistance to the public works Of
the State. The majority had been laborng during
the greater part Of short session of ninety days, to
digest measures which would apportion approprls.
ticus with view 10 economical distribution, accor.
ding to the relative merits and necessities of the
A. IasN
Of the session they enabled to present them in
such digestsd form as to command constitutional
majority. Tedious ss the work Of preparation was,
1t was far less difficult than the ultimate task of
ring the adoption Of its results.
The friends Of internal improvements had to en-.
counter four classes ofopponents. They were met by
one class of liberalAnn gentlemen, more or lees
restrained from participation in the work Of advance
ment by the virtual instructions OF their several
stiuences by another class of honest minded oppo
nents who adhered stouty to the exploded preudices
against the operation Of State with individual en-.
terprise-by,the "doar and dcent" men, who, from an
over anxiety to appear before their constituents as
the "watch dogs OF the treasury" indefinite and
uncalculatng dread Of every species Of appropriation
would in6ct on the State the cramping disease Of
public avarice. Lastly, the friends of internal i'm.
provement had to encounter all the wiles Of smal
but we'll organized faction, which has persstently
employed every question Of State policy to compass
partizan schemes, with an ultimate view to federal
politics The 6rst blow secured a triumph over the
combined opposition to appropriations for internal i'm
provement. The Orange and Alexandria bill was
brought forward, under the generalshp Of no less
leader than Mr.. Barbour Of Culpeper. BY a pure
accident, one vote was wanting to secure oonsttu
tional majority. The opposition made faint attempt
to cheer this pretended victory but the knowing
ones at onos perceived that their only safety was in
flight. They sought to avoid another vote on inter.
nal improvements for they wisely perceived that
speedy retreat from Richmond before the sSue could
be fairly tred constituted their only remaining STRAIT
egetio resource.
Mr.. Bsrbour's speech demonstrated the impossibi
ty of maintaining their ground in debate, and they
soon recognized the 6rmness and discretion which
rendered irresistible the advance movement for inter-
nal improvements.
The result of the vote on the Orange and Asxsn.
dria bill was struggle between the majority and a
small minority, in which the latter had but one object
in visw-that Of retsrdiug business in such manner
to prevent another vote on appropriations to internal
improvements, uItil the session should expire. The
short space Of time intervening rendered this prac-
Gable. Indeed the time was 80 short that II would
perhaps have been impossible 10 put through appro
priations il no extraordinary obstacle had been inter.
posed. The majority tried hard for an extension of
the aesslon. This movement was repeatedly defeat
ed, on account OF the anomalous constitutional pro
vision requiring three.ffths majority.
The Executive proclamation calling an extra ses.
sion, defeated all tss objects Of these msneavrss
the part Of the aDti.internal Improvement party
All parties recognised tacitly or avowedly that tr
umph had been effected for the friends of State i'm
provements. Parliamentary tactics fell below par,
members set themselves steadily to work and the will
Of the majority began with delightful celsrity to dis
pose of the work already prepared by committees
Saturday last witnessed the climax Of the victory
One after another, 6ve of the most important sppro
pration bills passed through the House in fortunate
succession. Mondays session added another to the
list. hetrumph is legitimate one. The manner
Of s achievement reflects undepisble credit on the
liberal and honorable policy which dictated the
agement adopted. Esch bill seems TO have been
drawn and carried With reference to the single merits
Of the case 10 hand, and not without proper consi.
dsraton Of the claims Of other works 10 participate
in public encouragement. We find no trace of any
eIo on The part Of the friends of any one subject
OF appropriation 10 logroll with the antiimprove.
ment interest," to the dstriment Of other public works.
Still less do We recognise any reckless combination
against the treasury, by which TO secure an undue
amount of appropriation for any set of works. for
ell combined. The majority has employed Its power
with admirable discretion, no feature of which is
more prominent than careful economy Of the 6uan.
cia resources of the State.
But while We advert with great satisfaction to this
conservative triumph Of liberaity and moderation,
we must express disappointment that the greatest
line of the State, the James River and Ksnawha Ca.
nal has yet met With no efficient aid from the present
Legislature. The large majority which voted for the
conversion scheme on Monday gives u.s. however,
an encouraging assurance Of future efforts in it's be-
half We will yet hope that the present session will
not, be brought to close before something is done
to extend relief to this most important and moat ne.
elected of oil our public works.
-%H
ANOTHER BLOW AT THE STATE CREDIT
WATCH AND WARD 1T!
We find it our duty to call attention to an act Of
Legislation which, under the appearance Of slight
changein financial machinery, is fraueht with oonse.