Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1861-03-27

Thus showing the total cost 10 the State, over
and above the revepues derived therefrom, to be
$565, ,03l since 1856. With these undeniable
facts before him, the Auditorlof State, in his re-
port for 1860, reluctantly confesses, "that upon
q full consideration Of the subject, the proepect
that the revenues of the Public Works will ever
hereafter be sufficient to meet the cost of keep.
ing them in repair, Is not very aattering." -
II may be well enough here to remind those
who defend the policy of State control aud pro-
lection, that the enormous deficit in 1860 was
not caused as they aver by the foods in April and
consequent damages to the canals; for it should
borne in mind that there was no surplus produce
In the State to 90 forward before harvest, and al.
20 that the repairs were made and the canals put
in navigable condition long before the crops of
this year had been got ready for market; and it
will, therefore, be seen that they were in full
and successful operation during all the time that
there was any amount of property to 60 for
ward.
I The State never would have naugurated this
vast system of internal improvements, unless
on the eupposition that private enterprise was
unequal to tho task of building up SO great an
enterprise. But, since that time, experience
has shown that individuals have commenced
and carried on to completion, works of far mole
magnitude, and that they have always been
found far more suscessful 10 their management
OF such enterprises than the State, with its in
Vulnerable and many times entirely irresponsi-
BILE agents. 49,,
Mr.. Speaker, lift be fact that the Public
Works have subserved the purposes for which
they were created, as has been fully shown and
that, in competition with railroads aud under
the control of the State, they have ceased to be
self sustaining; and that private enterprise has
been more successful in the management of
more important works; and that they have be-
come heavy burden to the tax payers of the
State: would it not be sound policy to sever
them from all connection with the State, and
give them over TO the more efficient manage
ment Of private enterprise, with the hope that |
this change will save them from the inevta-
BILE ruin that now awaits them under the present |
policy pursued by the State7
But, some gentlemen say, this is not an aus
piclous time to dispose Of these works; that 1t
would be better to waitone, two, or three years,
hoping that time will develop q more prosper
Gus and hourishing trade upon the canals, and
the treasury be relieved from the heavy drafts
now made upon II for their support. The ex-
perience Of the past ten years, and more especi-
ally Of the last FIVE, fully prove the folly Of
to q later day the proposition to
dispose Of the Public Works. ,,',,s, -.,.
Gentlemen, how long will you wait before
giving this measure of relief7 Are notthe peo.
pie petitioning you most numerously to grant
hem some relief from this burden, aud can you
llsregard their request andlsay to them, wait,
vait2 Are you determined to forever make
hem hewers Of wood and drawers of water, to
yratify q few selfish place hunters and corrupt
.fioe seekers2 Must the patronage of the
Public Works be used forever to corrupt all
kRA u.sN Al. IL = n
l answer, no The time ia now here when
hese potent instruments Of fraud and corrup-
ion must be left to their own resources, snd
The State divorced from all connection with
hem; or an indignant and oppressed people will
urely rise In their majesty and hurl from their
,laces all who refuse them this measure OF re-
ief. i; 80. -. IN ..i.' .-...,.