The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1867-02-01

Alh6 CuuLucL6T.
Appropriations by the state.
The introduction, in the Legislature,
of a multitude OF resolutions ask
ing, and a number OF bills providing,
appropriations for the construction and
repair oil roads and bridges, has created
some apprehension in the public mind
that the Legislature was about to enter
on a system of appropriations for such
purposes that would very soon find the
bottom Of the treasury. We believe,
however, there is 10 real ground for
such apprehension; and none is enter
tanned in well informed circles.
1t isevidsnt these numerous demands
for appropriations arise from real ne
eessity. West Virginia never had any
superabundance or roads. During the
war many, and indeed, most OF the
bridges In that part of the State which
was disputed territory, were destroyed'
either by the one army or the other.
The roads there, too, not only suffered
damage by neglect but by use for mill
tary purposes SO that the close of the
rebellion finds a great part of the State
worse off than ever for means of COM
municatiOn. When we reflect how all.
important 1t is to the development Of
any country to have not only roads
but good roads, and how essential they
are to the convenience and necessities
Of community, we cannot fail
to see that these extraordinary de-
mands for help to repair the ravages OF
war and neglect, and to open up other
avenues of comm unication and inter
course, which come almost entirely
from portions of the State ovsr-run
during the rebellion, arise from extra
ordinary necessities.
Yet to any one at all Informed con-
corning the finances of the State, it is
equally apparent, that the assistance
asked for cannot he afforded. If APP
preparations are to be made for the
completion, or further construction, of
the Penitentiary and Hospital for the
Insane. and for these some uppropria-
ton undoubtedly must he made, it is
evident that the receipts for the re-
mainder of the fiscal year will afford
nothing for any other extraordinary
appropriation. Besides, it would be
difficult just now, without very large
surplus, to provide anything ON fair
principles, for any works of Internal
Improvement; because so many Inter
ssts, with equal claims, are asking for
aid, that it would be very hard, and
might be unfair to discriminate in fa-
vor of any limited number of them.
But 1t is n proposition, well under
stood, and we believe accepted by near
ly all, II not all, the members of the
Legislature, that nothing can be done
at this session, in the way OF appropri-
ations for roads or for bridges, however
badly those appropriations are needed.
The House yesterday indicated its ap-
probation of this necessity, by tabling
two such bills, under circumstances
which indicated it to be the Judgment
of tho House that nothing could be
done in this direction.
The theory on which our new sys-
tenn is based is, that internal
improvements should be the work
OF private enterprise and not of
the State. 1t is undoubtedly true as
general proposition that any work
can be done for much less money bv a
private party than by a government :;
but ours is a case where private enter
prise at present promises very little.
Yet II it be in the power of the Lecis-
lature to do anything to encourage
private parties, either individuals or
companies, to take hold oGany of these
much needed works, it ought by all
all means to be done.
One other expedient is, of course,
open to the Legislature. 1t can au-
thorizs the borrowing of money for
roads and bridges, II it is willing to
levy tax for it next year; and while
we are not prepared to say that il
money should be so borrowed and ju-
diciously expended the State as whole
might not be benefited in the end, yet
we imagine such II proposition would
meet with no favor either in the Iegis-
lature or out OF it. In addition to the
objection to any taxation now for these
purposes, there is the additional OBJ
lection that the bulk OF the money
NNNhSNN ~ S'NA S4AAOANou MOulo COule
from the portions OF the state least in
need of these appropriations, and
would be expended where the least OF
it was raised.
The case seems to be briefly this
Roads and bridges are badly needed,
but they cannot he made without
money. The State has no money; the
people are not willing to be taxed to
raise money; and therefore the State
can do nothing. 1t seems, there
fore, that at least for good
while TO come, we must look
to private enterprise and exertion to
build up these much needed improve
ments; and it follows that unless the
people, where they are needed, can do
something on their own account, they
will have to do without for the present.
Whatever, we repeat, can be done to
stimulate private exertion In this di-
reetion, ought by no means to be omit
ted.