Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1860-04-06

on the 20th md 2lSt Of January, 1860, on
he Eli .Jvr the Construction aaG EY"p,-
mcnt Of tie Corington and OH" H""r"'G'
Mr.. CHAPMAN said
lie could but feel embarrassment IN opening
tba discussion. upon bill Of such vast inn
nortance as the one under onsderation-vastly
important not only to his constituents. and the
section Of country from which he came--but in
the very highest degree important to the best in
tcrests, welfare and independence Of Virginia;
but when he rccollected that he was about TO
address Virginia gentlelncn-ardent in their
love and attachment for Eirginia-in favor Of !
Virginia work upon the. construction Of
which mainly depended the commercial inde-
pcnicncc of Hirginia-he could but feel that
the success Of the measure could scarcely be
considered probematcal. At least, if gentlemen
would give him their attention, he hoped to be
able to show, that the best interests oi the
State, financially, commercially socially and
politically were involved in the important inca
sure they were now considering.
But before proceeding to discuss the merits
of the bill he desired 10 meet at the threshold
an objection that he learned had been urged
by some gentlemen to appropriations at
the presen, session to works OF internal in-
proyelncnt, and especially TO the bill under
consideration, viz: that the finances OF the
State were not in condition to justify it; and
that the taxes would have to be increased, pro-
yided appropriations should be made to works
Of internal Improvement by the present Le-
eislature. Mr.. Chapman said this was That
old song, which had been sung to every l.egiS-
lat,re for the last half century, when m appro'
priation had been asked for the improvement
of the State but if there was any truth IN SUCH
objection he would be one OF the first TO vote
against all appropriations to works OF internal
Improvement, however important they might
be, as under no circumstances would he coll
sent to an increase of the taxes. But alter
most careful examination OF the finances OF the
State, he was most happy to say there need 1e
no alarm on that subject, and he begged the
serious attention of the House to the exhibition
he was about to make lie invited the strict
est scrutiny, and if there could be any error III
any statement he should make, he desired 1t to
be corrected
The Auditor Of Public Accounts estimates
the receipts and charges into and upon tile
Treasury in the fiscal years 1860 and lStil, as
follows:
Balance in the Treasury on the
lSt of October, 1852. 9...... ,"l"."b
Estimated receipts for the fiscal
year lS5g-'6o. ......... 3,77l ,UGS.gd
S3,s7j, ,052.32
Estimated charges for the iisca!
wear lS5g-'60. ........ 1850, 239.l5
Estimated excess of means over
charges, st October lSG0.... 2l4Sl" Ii
Estimated receipts for the fiscal
wear lsGO-'Gi .............. 3,7Sj, 7G2 SO
1000 60G:l"
Estimated charges Ior the fiscal
year 1SGO-'Gl ...... 3, LOG, 453.&l
Estimated excess OF means over
charges, lSt October, lSGl... So9i, l52l.$ 81
The Auditor in the above estimate has charg
cd against the treasury every item that, by any
reasonable probability, could be charged against
it itincutling not only every ordinary, but many
extraordinary charges; intending il he erred it
should be on the safe side lie includes in his
estimate Of charges the whole of the interest
upon the guaranteed bonds Of companies and
cities that have ever been charge upon the
treasury; the whole amount that may fall due
for casting in bronze and delivering the statues
! of Lewis. Marshall and Nelson and erecting
saine-the expenses Of the present session Of
the Legislature, and ior the militia $20,0U0
above the fines, and which sum is not now, and
and probably will not be made by law, q charge
upon the trcasury-in fine, every item that has
heretofore been charge upon the treasury has
been estimated hy him. The Committee Of
Finance have informally reported to this House,
that upon the same subjects as estimated by
! the Auditor of Public Accounts, the following