The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1867-01-31
: -, ), commencement schemes.

The Internal Improvement ScneiaeS'
The two leading schemes which were
otxt introduced into the Legislature pro-
,o.inr a surrender Of the States interest
Cor the purpose of completing the railroad
oo,;ons with the Ohio through Ka-
u.sh. and with the Mississippi through
K.n,ueky, have become the nucleus OF an
.Smn,nu, . bill, including all lines, water
=. ra;I in the Commonwealth. The field
Tins opened is so much more expansive
,han was anticipated by the movers of the
original propositions that they must be
somewhat perplexed as to what line Of ope-
rat,ons is best or safest. Best for the State,
and safest for themselves. The question is
between the omnibus on the one hand, and
the two lines uniting the waters of the
ocean and the Mississippi on the other. 1t
= indeed one of embarrassment but
few days will throw . great deal Of light
upon it.
After all, the question Is one of expe-
diency. If it can be made clearly to ap-
pear that il is the best thing for the State,
then of course the omnibus bill should
pass; if not, why, those separate schemes
which can be so recommended to public
favor ought TO pass. Mr.. kEILEf, inc
member from Petersburg, has suggested an
expedient by which the question OF utiiity
and advantage TO the State of the proposed
Communication " Of her interest in internal
improvements may be Smartly Illuminated.
I, is this: That the mill tax be levied, and
that the companies be bound in addition to
secure to the State pro rata the amount OF
dividend that may be paid to the private
stockholders on their shares; so that the
State will not be placed to disadvantage by
surrendering her shares. If the mill tax
shouId not accomplish this, then the CON-
papv must make up the de felt.
P,rtenant TO the matter of the tax, q
respected correspondent sends us the fol-
lowing estimate:
CONVICTION AND OHIO RAILROAD BILL.
Some misrepresentation as to the result Of
the proposed mill tax TO the State and the
company seems TO exist. The following
plain exhibit of figures will dispel any
mystery, if such there be:
The bill proposes that the company shall
pay one mill per. mile for the ton and for
each passenger transported.
TIE distance from Richmond to the Ohio
river is 430 miles, making the tax to be
43O mills, or forty-throe cents on each ton
or passenger.
Ii The passenger is charged only three
cents per mile, and the ton of freight the
same, which is very low, the gross receipt
OF the company for each ton and passenger
will be $l2 30; deduct half for expenses,
the balance would be S6.45, less the tax OF
torty-thrce cents, leaving &6.02 the net
profit on every passenger and ton. No
matter what the amount of business, the
ratio of profit and tax would be the sane,
and ought to satisfy any reasonable CAPT
tails; and at the same time give the State
handsome revenue.
Suppose one million Of tons transported
at forty-three cents per ton, 1t Is true 1t
makes the large sum of .Si30,o00 -four
hundred and thirty thousand dollarS) tax,
but also leaves the very large sum Of
$4,000, 600 (six millions dollars profit to
the company. The same results would en-
sue if q million of passengers were car
ried-or a profit of S6.02 on each, let the
number be what it may.
If the company carried one million each
OF passengers and tons Of freight, the tax
to be paid would be $500, 00O-mOre than
ont nm