Daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1865, 1862-05-12
Internal Improvements by the State


Remarks OF James Hervey, of Brooke.
in the Constitutional Convention
February 1st, 1861.
EFrOm Photographic notes taken at the ttme.l
During the consideration of the report
of the Committee or, Taxation and!Pinauce,
on the 9th section prohibiting the Legisla-
ture ofthe State from making appropria-
lions for certain purposes, AIr. Brown, of
Aanawha, moved as an exception to its
operation to amend by inserting "works of
internal Improvement" SO as to per-
nit the State to pledge its credit for such
purposes. Pending the consideration of
this motion,
Mr.. Hervey said
Mr.. President, it had never occurred to
me when ] became member of this Con-
ventinn that any such proposition would be
seriously thought of, much less eudeayor-
ed to be enforced or made part of this
Constitution. Why, sir, what has been
the sole cause, the very handspring of this
West Virginia movement? l allege, sir,
1T has been iu consequence of the long
continued, the repeated cry of West Vir-
ginia against this unjust, Onerous, and OPP
pressiye system of expeuding public funds.
Had 1T not been alleged on every stump OF
West Virginia that the power of the East
Of the East was taking money out of tue
pockets of the West-Io do what! To build
railroads over the mountains.
Tell me sir, of all the millions that
have been paid by West Virginia into the
treasury OF the State, where are the works
OF Internal Improvement Not one soli-
tary foot Ofrailroad IN West Virginia built
by the State of Virginia! And yet, sir,
this accursed system which was foisted
upon us by the superior power of the
East, and which ground US to the earth
year after year, is now sought to be en-
grated on the policy of the new State
Why, sir, look at the State debt of the
"Old SDominioun-forty millions Repu-
didtion staring the State in the face Sir,
the man is worse than u visionary, who
would stand up in the face of day aud be-
fore an intelligent assembly, and aIlege
that ever the State debt will be paid. No
man expects it. The debt never will be
paid. Never! Division or Union, the
debt is gone. Sir, old Virginia has fol-
lowed in the wake of her sisters Mississippi
and Illinois. Her credit is gone she is
bankrupt-utterly bankrupt; and, sir, by
means of this very accursed system of par
tial legislation, and taking the money of
the people to build roads to suit particular
localities.
What has been the experience of other
States? The State of Pennsylvania un-
dertook to construct great works of inter-
nal improvements. And, sir, the capital
lists of Philadelphia-the city of Philadel-
phiaIalone-brought their power into COM
petition with tho great State of Peunsyl-
Vania, and broke down her works. A com
pany built the Central Railroad from Phil
adelphia to Pittsburgh, and completely cut
the throat of all the State works; and,
sir, that State was brought to her knees
and was compelled to sell those works for
whatever the company pleased to give her.
Now, sir, whois benefited by these works2
Have we been benefited by the works of
the State of Virginia. They are partial
in their benefit; they are local in their
benefit, not general.
But, sir, do not know how it has been
with members of this Convention gener-
ally, but in our section of the State, We
told the people that under the operation of
this new State of ours, there wOnld be n
reduction of taxes; there would be a re-
duction of State debt Now, sir, must l
go back to my people and tell them that
we have launched upon this old, rotten, ex-
plOded system of constructing Internal Im-
provements by the State2
Can the thing be practicable2 Suppose
we undertake to go into it. What is our
population2 Less than half a million OF
people. What has been the cry in this Con-
vention? We poor, unable to pay our tax
es now. OF fWhat avail then this system il
it should be lnaugurated? Sir, the fact is
palpable, known, read of all men, that this
new State cannot construct works of Inter
nal Improvement. Then, sir, why under
take to enact solemn farce in the Consti-
tuition by inserting provision which must
prove aud remain imperative.
But, sir, the great danger is here. How
have these untold millions been drawn
through the Legislature, and how has this
enormous taxation been piled ups on the
people? Why, sir, the process was topro-
cure small appropriation for this work
and for that work and for the other work ,and
the whole three OF half dozenworksm must be
Joined in order to secure the appropriations
| First. a small sum for each Of them. Thai
was an entering wedge. Perhaps enough
to complete the survey of a road. TheI
again sir, upon the argument that thu
| State had invested Sl00, 900 in this worl
and 100000 in that work and 500, 900 il
the other-and were they going to lose thu
sums already invested for want of auothe
small appropriation to complete the work
No, sir certainly not, Now $200,000 70
i these works apprOpriated-works scarcel!
begun now $500, 900 more, still the work
Iuucompletedl Then the last argument
shall these works all fail and this vast in
vestmeut be lost; or shall We throw tn
energies of the State into these works ant
lcomplete them and make them sources o
revenue to the State3 Why, sir, thes
works which have penetrated the Allegha
nies at three different points-eoming on
aud stopping at no point, backed by tn
Izl.lo :. .sSt,o,ss,, ~ tl,a Stata tha yvholA fore