Glasgow weekly times. (Glasgow, Mo.) 1848-1861, 1859-12-08

so to distribute their benefits, more equally
The region on the southern line Of the State, mid
way between the Southeast apd South VI est, j.
perhaps less benefited than any other; but witt
that exception the distributes 10 the several Sec
tons seems TO be as equal and just as it could ca
SHY be. II is nevertheless true, as conceded in a
former part of this message, that localities more
remote from the roads derive less benefit than those
which are nearer; but they are taxed accordingly.
And no locality IS entirely excluded from the ad-
vantages of facilities already afforded. Can any
part Of the South West be singled out that would
be willing to De deprived of the facilities for travI
e or transportation which the Pacific Railroad
affords, even now? Could the SOUTHEAST be in
duced TO dispense with the conFenlences now ae-
forded by the Iron Mountain Road, and those they
are sure to possess in the immediate future by
means of the Cairo and Fulton Road? Would any
| portion of Central Missouri be willing TO part
with the facilities and pecunIary advantages re-
suiiing from the construction and operation OF the
Pacific and North Missouri Roads? Or could the
people of Northern Missouri, anywhere from the
| Iowa line to the Missouri River, be induced for
any consideration. 20 part with the facilities the
! Hannibal and ST. Joseph and the North Missouri
Roads furnish to them? Let the Representatives
Of the several counties recur 10 the past, compare
it with the present. and then as statesmen, pol
itical economists. and as Practical business men,
answer these inquiries.
Again, the idea is entertained That because GER
Z Il.
others are entitled 10 the same. It Is evident,
however, that this could not be given without in
creasing the Debt of the State TO magnitude that
would destroy its credit; but if We would 10 this,
the constitutional Limitation row inteTposes an in
superable barrier. And If may be Justly assum-
ed that every railroad that may be built, connect
ing itself with either of our trunk roads HAS RE-
cEIyED STATE AID. Tie Usage Valley and South
ern Kansas road viii derive al the advantages it
could if the Pacific Road had been built by the
Slate to Upton for its special benefit. The IL
lustration VIII serve for all other similar enter
Frises. IL they connect with any OF our present
roads they wall thereby be brought i-to railroad
communication with other portions of the State;
and of the Union. as much So as if the roads with
which they connect had been built from ST. LOUIS
TO the point OF connection for the benefit OF such
enterprises. And besides, the trunk roads will
have stimulated enterprise, brought capital into
the country, caused the lands to be improved. and
towns 10 built, and excited spirit of competition
that will result in furnishing q large amount of
means to the additional roads here contemplated.
In these ways the State viii haze, directly and in-
directly, contributed largely tc farther works of
Internal Improvement.
In the present condition of affairs, them It would
be unwse and unstatesnan-lille for legislators to
refuse 10 DO all that can be done toward compls-
ting the roads now in progress, simply Because
they 10 not run through their immediate neigh-
borhood o. district Of fcouHtry. And those whose
section Of country already enjoys railroad facili-
ties which State aid has contributed TO furnish,
would be liable TO the imputatioa Of extreme sell
shness in refusing 10 vote assistance 10 roads Id
other sections, yet incomplete.
Nor should those whose conrictiofs would lead
them to sustain our present system as far as pos
sible, be deferred By the determined and violent
opposition Of fey. who ere now sounding the "a
iarm about tlyatioa. Thy have ever been op-
posed TO any system Of IIte nal improvements;
and only change their tactrs to suit surrounding
circumstances. That many persons have been a.
llrmed BY The ortcrF cannct be doubted; but that
alarm has in great measure subsidized, ,and as you
have undoubtedly seen, the '!sober second thought
of the people is in favor of liberal policy.
Bad management on the part of some of our
roads, and unyise contracts, have also had an in
tuence upon the public mind, creating strong pref
udIces; but with these obstacles removed the o5-
JecuonS should cease; as neither the contracts nor
the aliedged lavish expenditures in other resnects
necessarily attach TO the system. They can be
avoided, and should be carefully guarded against
in the future. Every extensive business inroIv-
ing The necessity OF agents or clerks, IS liable, in
some measure, TO miSulGnagement from iacompe-
tency, inability TO foresee all that IS incidental TO
the adventure, or from dishonesty. Our Internal
improvements could not reasonably be expected
TO be wholly exempt from misfortunes that are
common 10 all kinds of business; but this is NO
reason why we should inc ease our hazard, or so
manage as TO make the worst appreiensiens of the
timid an inevitable evil.
Il IS matter Of history thai rerv few works Of
lnterna Improvement have ever been conducted
under the sole direction CT government that have
not resulted disastrousiy. Il is therefore evident
that il IS not the true policy Of Missouri TO take
possession of The roads forfeited 20 the State, with
4 view to permanently undertaking their manage
men But It Ii is thoHsSt ad FisSb.e 10 relieve the
fer tine from the penalties of for
feittse and to extend further aid. in order TO their
ii viii Re both Just and wise TO grant
such aid, upon the ccnGitlon tiat the State is al
lowed voice IN the several Directories. Com
panes, The largest shlre OF whose means have
been obtained through the sale of State bondss
could rot Justly object to this, if it is demanded
Since the adjournment Of the General Assembly
have, in conformity with my duty, extended evS
erv legal facility possible, TO keep cur railroad
enterprises alive, AMI TO urge forward their coll
struciioa. And ihls has been done against the ad-
vice and ramonstrance of the enemies of our H.
iernal Improvements. Ihave given every facility,
in nv power to the present energetic Directory Of
The Pacific Road to enable them TO progress with
the construction of the South West Branch, which
has been pushed forward during the recess with
laudable vigor. Early in the season l Piacedin
The hands of an agent, nine hundred OF the bonds
authorized to be issued in behalf of that roac, ma
king SO cents the miniuIn rate Of sale. Up to the
7h inst, three hundred had been sold at the priIs
named. and the proceeds applied 10 the cosstruc-
ion OF that road; and the prospect is, that all can
soon be disposed Of OIL favorable or better terms
1t Is hoped that the action of the General Assem-.
bly, may not throw any obstacles in the way OF
the anticipated further sales, of the rapid pro-
sTess Of that very important road.
While referring to the Southwest Branch
Road, it NAV be proper to allGde TO an opinion
entertained by many, that the General Assembly.
has the power 70 dissolve The present relation OF
the two branches, making ;heir interests distinct,
and giving separate DirectorY;in short, to make
hem two distinct corporations. A moments re-
fectlon will enable anyi legal gentleman to see
hat vested rights have already accrued to the Pa
,ific Railroad Company, OF which It is not the.
province or the General Assembly to divest it;
md that 4 division of the interests involved can
not therefore be accomplished by legislaticn.-
ANY efforts to that end ceuld only result in pro-
racted litigation, 10 the great deriRent Of all the
7arties concerned.
Before concluding my remaFls upon the slo<
ect that is likely mainly to engross your s1en-
ion during the present session, I beg leayssriefy
o refer 10 the opinion entertained by some, that
We have no right to entail public debt upon pos
Gritty. lf we undertake any public enterprise
necessary for the common good that will benefit
IA