Kanawha Valley star. [volume] (Charleston, Va. [W. Va.]) 1856-1861, 1859-07-26
fisc land tax % i hundred millions Of
augmented values.

~ 4sUhs 40 klIitilatsu p6lOEe, WIleu LllS
augmenting instrumentality shall have
peryaded every saction4of Virginia,s fer
tile and mineral-6llsd domain. and the
stimulating effect shall have been felt in
nil the departments of yivified enter
prise, and when again our Railroads, BY
being completed. shall have become prof.
liable, furnishing direct as well as collat-
eral contribution 10 the revenues. as
they ARE every day giving promise. then
! say, the present treasury surplus will
augment and augment and still augment,
unlilAthe exclamation shall have provided
for us the amplest means for completing.
our whole system Of public improve
ments, aud materially lessoning the taxes.
That this exhibition of our finance is
not too flatteriag. 1 refer you to the late.
letter Of GOV. Wise to Mr.. Shands, and
TO Tie statements Of the auditor and treas.
prer, addressed to myself and published
during 4my late canvass in the Norfolk
papers. send you : copy of Governor
Wise's patriotic letter, and the clear
statement ofuur excellent and enlightened
State officers, Messrs. Calvert and Ben
nett, which, ! doublnot, win gladden. the
heart Of every reader who looks with.
hopeful eye TO the completion of what
must be, ard will be, the noblest Of all
American Rrailway ihoroughfares, the
Coyington and Ohio Railroad. in which
yon. tile good people Of Putnam, have so
deep and abiding an interest.
Ifthese views Of oura6nancial condition
be correct, there is DO reason why we
should delay another hour the vigorous
prosecution ofthis magnificent enterprise.
and there will be no excuse for the next
Legislature if il fail to do its full duty in
the premises.
Why, indeed, should we falter about
this the chief work Of Virginia Why
lay out a plan for magnificent system
Of public works, and then permit the
chief one Of them all 70 lay unfinished
that one Of them that will link us with
the mighty West. and fulfil the grand
end Of our improvement system the &C .
QUESTION of our share OF the Western
trade ? And why. for a system of in
ternal improvements, create a large pub.
lie debt, heavily taxing the people by its
creation, and then leave to linger and
lirger sill that bright particular one
of them all. that viii, when consummated,
make all the rest productive. pour into
the treasury 4 rushing stream of reTe-
nue.. and knock off from our people the
shackles of a heavy taxation Why, oh
why should the lawgivers Of Virginia
persist in SO absurd and impolitic a
Feourse ?
There is but one danger. and that is
the Jew move originatin gia this quarter
of the State, 70 let alone the Railroad, and
substitute the Canal as the present> mode
of transit between the East and the West.
/ Ii this idea should obtain to any extent,
if it should takeToffeven half dozen votes
from the Goyington and Onio Railroad. il
might be fatally nisehievous for the In
Eternal Improvement party in the legisla-
Eture has not an advocate to spare and can
Eonly succeed il any measure by compact
array and united counseIs. But / trust,
and do not suppose, there. is much reason
for apprehension here. cannot think that
there are . dozen practical, men mi att the
State who would advocate now the sub,
siitution Of the James River Canal for. the
CoviBgton and Ohio Railroad, as the av-
Eenue Of Eastern and Western connection.
Il knew no one 10 e5last legislature hold
ling suchan opinion and it to be hoped
there will be few such in the next, for
| division IN sentiment and action as
| to the mode Of reaching the Ohio, might
put every thing at hazard. i trust that
/ those who have started this miscellaneous
idea, will at once abandon ii III favor il
tho only feasible plan Of connecting the
great West with the seabord or the State
1.-The Covington & Ohio Railroad. which,
connecting with both the Canal and the
Central Railroad al Coyington, will give
ius double line Of transit--one. com.
pounded Of Water Line and Railroad
which will give us large amount Of heavy
trade and the other continuous Rail.
| way. which will take TO US the lighter
trade and the travel H
God knows / am no enemy Of the Ca
nal. ] was among its earliest friends
stood By it untiiit had not corporate
guard left III the Legislature Butl,hs
| idea Of extending II now to the Ohio river
lis the yeriest Utopian dream lis neel
lis under the heel of an memorable public
opinion. and itEould be Just as practica
| Bile t6 roll the down-sweeping current o
The Mississippi back from The Gulf to tht
Falls of ST Anthony, as to reverse pub
flic sentiinentas 10 command adozen votes
| for the immediate extension Of the Cana
70 the Western waters The true policy
Of the truefriends OF the Internalimprove
inent policy, il 10 take practical views $. ftt
follow, not 10 defy, well formed mi
earnest public opinion. and 10 ix steadily
on that form Of commercial transit be.
tween our seaboard and the west. tba
commands the public judgmentand ehoiet
il the State. and the spirit Of the age w
live in. In that judgment and choice,
the Railroad has the&upper hand, and "
must reach the west by the Railroad. sol
mot At al. r M
With your invitation 10 make visi;Itc
your county, Ishall endeavor TO comply
i have never seen in person the rich
western region of which 4 has fallen Nto
my Iot sopflen y speak and to write. but
design. lfmy private affairs will possibly