Ohio State journal and Columbus gazette (Columbus, Ohio : 1825), 1835-03-14 page 1 |
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PRINTED AND PUBLISHED AND COLUMBUS GAZETTE. Two Dollars Fifty Cent bin idvancetj TERMS, Or, Three Dollars at the end of the feat Whole Numbir, 1384. New Scrics....No. 39, Vol. IV. COLSJJIHUS, SATURDAY, MAKCS1 14, 1835. REMARKS OF 11 R. KING, In tho Sonnto of Ohio, on the bill authorizing the Acting Cn. rial Cominis3ionor3 to construct a Canal, to unite tlic Pcnn-sylvuniu nnd Ohio Cannls tho motidri of Mr Hawkins to strike out the first section of said bill, being under consid-Crution.Mr Chairma: I riso under much embarrassment, to op. oso tiin present motion, nnd to advocate tho wisdom, the ex. edienoy and the policy of the passage of tho bill now under i'tiny oration. This embarrassment, however, does not arise i'lom any apprehension that, on a full and fair investigation of tlm subject, it will bo found wanting in merits, but from a consciousness of my inability to do it justice. Neither my inclinations, nor my duties hitherto in life, bnve ever called mo to take part in public debates; and I am wholly unnccustomed to public speaking. Notwithstanding these disadvantages, impelled by n sense of duty to my constituents, and to the State of which I am ltroud to bo a citizen, I must nsk the indulgence of the com- mitten, while I state in as brief u manner as possible, some of tho reasons which constrain me to resist the present motion, and urgo tli9 passage of the bill. The subject under consid-oration is one of deep interest to tho State, involving in its character and consequences, matters of great public utility and convenience, as well us important questions of State poli. cy and revenue, in which all its citizens are alike concerned; tind will, therefore, I trust, receivo that calm, dispassionate Kind careful examination, which its importance demands. In tho discussion and decision of this question, I hopo all section- (al feelings and local interests will be discarded from our minds, tiii? tliat tho public good and general welfare of the State will alone be consulted and regarded. For myself, sir, I have no wish or intention of urging this retain this invaluable trade? Will that Stato rigidly adhere to her present rate of tolls upon her Canal, which now yields an annual income of more than twelve per cent, upon its entire cost? Will her business men, her mercantile cities, and her forwarding companies, see their accustomed business es. caping from their grasp, nnd passing into other hands, with, out making; a strusirlc to prevent it? No, sir; they certainly will not. Common sense, as well as every principle 01 sen interest, will dictate a dillerent course. We shall then see tho Stato of New York changing her policy in conformity villi this new sla'e of things, by reducing her tolls to the lowest possible point at which she can realize a profit to herself; and by offering every J'acility and inducement in her power to secure a continuance of our trade in its pre. sent channels. Nor will her enterprising and calculating citizens feel less interested in securing that object; or less inclined to adopt measures of a similar character to promote it. Individual competition generally reduces business of nny kind, to the smallest profits at which it can be sustained; nor will this inlhience be less powerful, when brought to bear upon two independent nnd rival States, contending for this rich, profitable, and growing trade, of the whole westernconn-trv. And let mo nsk you, sir, will it not be a prize worthy o such competition, and ot such competitors! VV lint then, sir, must be its beneficial results to the State of Ohio? If the amount of tolls received on the Ohio Canals the past year, be any criterion to judge of the amount that the citizens of Ohio have paid in tolls to the Stale of New York the same season, we can form sonic estimate of the benefits thev would derive of the water power included the full from the Rnvcnna Summit of tho Mahoning Canal, as well as the fall of Ihn Portage Sum mit, and should have been so stated in the report, instead of; supposing it all to have been carried on to the Portage Summit of the Ohio Cnnul. Tho estimated value of this water power was founded on information received from one of the Canal Commissioners, as to the average value at which such privi. leges had been rented by them on the Ohio Cunal, and was stated twenty per cent, below such average annual rents. Tho extent of this power is nlso greater in about tho same proportion; and at these low estimates it amounted to twelve thousand dollars per year, or the interest on a cnpitul of two hundred thousand dollurs. Do not all these facts sufficiently show tho importance of this work to Hie stale at large; and the urgent necessity, as well as the imperative duty of the State, to cmnncipnte her commerco from Ihese unnecessary delays nnd embarrass, mollis, and these impoverishing charges? Will not the agricultural and the manufacturing, ns well ns the commercial interests of lho whole Slate, be equally promoted by lessening tho expense Of sending our surplus productions to market? And can there remain a doubt on our min is, when this subject !s fuirly examined, that by thus reducing the distance to market, breaking down the monopoly which now exists, and creating a competition between two rival routs, that wo shall save to the citizens of our State, within a short period of time, the nmount necessary for the construction of this work? What sum is required for the attainment of this object? One rout has already been carefully surveyed under the direction ot the Canal Commissioners, and by them reported to the Lo from such reduction of tolls on the New York Canal. The gishitiiro, nnd the estimated expense given in detail amounting tolls collected on the Ohio Canal the past year, by reference ' to 5.764,372; and the Canal Commissioners now say that with to the message; of the Governor, will be found to exceed two hundred thousand dollars. It should bo noticed, however, bill upon tho favorable notice of the Senato in the shape in that a great portion of the property on which this amount of; which it is now presented to us, upon nny other considerations, tolls was collected, did not traverse the whole distanca ol the "or by any other inducements, than those of sound policy and tho general interests of the State. If it cannot he sustained upon these principles, and satisfactorily shown that I he benefits and advantages which will result to the Stato nt large from 'the accomplishment of tho work proposed, will within a short 'period of time, remunerate tho expenses incurred thereby, and that tho additional business it will introduce upon the Ohio Canal, will increase tho revenue of the Stnto to such an amount, that together with the tolls arising on this additional section, will more than repay the interest on its cost, and thoreby become a source of revenue and profit to the State, and eventually reimburse tho principal, I will cease to advocate upon this floor its merits ns a State work. I will seek no extrinsic aid from the claims of justice which might be urged in favor of that section of the Stato which I have the honor to represent, from the lurge amount they have ulready contributed to the general improvements of tho State, without participating in their immediate facilities and benefits, nor will 1 enter into any discussion of tho comparative ad- vantages of the two routs which have been proposed for this 'connexion. Tho one I will leave to the good sense and discernment of Senators; the other I will freely confide to the public agents of the State If we will cast our eyes upon the map of our country, and notice our own location and public improvements, in connexion with those of other States, and to other markets around us, wo shall perceive thut tho city of Philadelphia is situated directly oast of tho central part of our State, and of the Ohio Canal, and about ono hundred miles westerly from the city of INow York, and can therefore bo reached by a direct lino thus much shorter. It will also be seen, that at present the only channel by which our commerco can reach the latter city, is by way of Lake Erie and tho New York Canal, which necessarily takes it about two hundred miles further north, than the most northerly limits of our State, thereby still further increasing tho distanco to that remote market. This circuitous rout is also attended with the vexatious dc. lays and burlhcnsomo charges of transhipment, storage and forwarding, on all produce and merchandize nt Cleveland, nt BufTalo, and at Albany, and with an insurance or risk of loss upon tho Lake. The averngo rate of insurance upon the Lake throughout tho season, is ono hull' per cent.; and this item alono on all valuable merchandize, exceeds tho cost of freight on a Canal tho same distance; and when added to the expenso of storage and freight upon the Lake, will more than double that amount. - The lato period at which lho harbor of Buffalo is opened in the spring, precludes our produco from the advantages of an early market; and the increased danger ot the bake navt gntion in tho fall, necessarily crowds the wholo business of tho year into a few summer months The uncertainty of time required for tho transportation of merchandize and produco across tho Lake, which ranges from two. to fifteen and twenty days, is a sourco ot great cm barrassment in all mercantile operations. It is no uncommon ,occurrenco, that vessels are precludcd'from leaving the bar. ibor of Buffulo for weeks at a time, during tho most busy . season of the year; and oven steam boats have been held in i the ports upon the Lako from six to eight days in succession i beyond the times of departure, by adverse winds. These are ..all facts within my own knowledge, gathered from nncxpe--fienceof more than fifteen years in mercantile business upon i this rout. By uniting tho Pennsylvania nnd Ohio Canals, those un-Avoidable delays and consuming chnrges mny be avoided, and . safe, cheap and expeditious channel opened for our com. unetco to the city of Philadelphia. Tho difference in point of -distance alono, between these two communications to tho sea iKinrd, must save to tho citizens of Ohio annually, admitting the rato of tolls and charges of freight shouid remain as they now are, a sum fur greater than the interest on tho cost of ; this work the distanco bo:ng about one third less. It is only by looking prospectively, however, to tho import ant changes in our commercial relations, which this improve mcnt must effect, and to tho competition it will create, by giv ing us a choice of routs ami markets, that the full benefits and advantages which will result to our State, can bo duly . appreciated. Tho necessity which now secures to the State of New York tho immense revenuo arising on our transportations, and which also enables her carriers to fix their own charges upon its freight, will then no longer exist. Wo shall then no longer uo compolled to submit in silcnco to such impositions of toll . as the interest alone of tho former shall diclato, nor lo such charges of freight as the avarice or cupidity of the latter, when combined for such purpose will urue them to mako, Nor aro theso suggestions urged upon your attention will.'out substantial reasons. It is well known to all who hnvo been engaged in the commerco of tho Stuto for tho last twelvo years, that the cost of transportation upon this rout has been constantly changing; that during the same season, while the rate of tolls upon the New York Canal has remained the same, the charges for freight have been increased more thnn forty per cent, in ono week, by combinations umong the different transportation companies in New York, and that they have the absoluto power to fix upon any price they may think pro. er, when they can ngroo among themselves, knowing they have no other competitors. Let tho Stute of New York, howovor. but channel opened to a. different murkot, und our commerce, which has hitherto contributed so largely to her revenuo and wealth, taking a different direction,. and what must bo her po-licyt Will her statesmen, her public agents, her commercial cities, and hor transportation companies, mako no efforts to Ohio Canal, but was received and discharged nt tho various intermediate ports along its entire "line; and that the whole northwestern section of the Slate, and the entire Lake region, now send tlveir produce to market by way of Lako Erioand the New Y ork Cnnul; and, although they do not contribute to swell the tolls on the Ohio Canal, yet they arc tributary to the New Y'ork Canal, and would consequently be equally interested and benefited by any reduction of tolls which the proposed work would effect on that Canal. Taking all these facts into consideration, nnd the distance which our property must pass on the New Y'ork Canal to mar. ket, and the amount received thereon the past year, which exceed a million nnd a half of dollnrs, if we should then es-timato the nmount which the citizens of Ohio havo paid to tho State of Now Y'ork during this period, at three hundred thousand dollnrs, we should probably fall short of tho real amount. If to this sum wo add tho still larger amount they havo paid to tho citizens of that Stato fur storage, insurance and freight, it would then readily be perceived how deeply our interests would be affected by a reduction of tho costs of transportation to a reasonable profit Hy reducing tho tolls alone on tho New Y'ork Canal to two thirds of their present amount, and which would then yield a revenue of mora than eight per cent, on its entire cost, we should save to the citizens of our Stato unnunlly, one hundred thousand dollars, admitting our commerce should not increase nil their experience upon this subject, they believe it will be lounu sjlncient to cover the coster the work Another important fact which has already been adverted to, is also jnnlirmed by the recent report of the Canal Board, now lying upon our tables. They stato that a reduction was made the last veor in the rato of tolls on the Ohio and New ork Canals of twenty-five per cent, from tho former charges. And what do they inform us was tho result of this measure? Did it lessen tho cost of trnnsporlation on your produce or merchandize? Not in the least. The only effect of the measure was to take the amount of such reduction from the Treasury of the State, nnd put it into the pockets of tho carriers of New Y'ork. Yes, s,ir; morn than this; go quickly did this arrangement excite the notice of the dillerent forwarding lines, and so perfectly did it accord with their feelings and interests, that they agreed at or-co not only to take tho benefit of this reduction, butnctuully raised tho price of transportation over nnd nhovo the previous charges, about fifteen per cent., notw ithstanding tho charges of toll had been thus diminished. By this simple operation, tho citizens of Ohio were compel!, ed to pay the lastsenson more than one hundred nnd twenty thousand dollnrs; nnd which, instead of enriching the treasury of tho States, was divided among the transportation com. panics of New York and Ohio. Such combinations, nlthough now for the. first time adverted to by the Cnnul Commissioners, nie nothing new under the sun. It is probably the first tune they have come into contact with the calculations of that board, nud therefore, first brought lo their notice. It has, however, been n constant theme of and that it should continue to flow in tho same, channels to complaint among tho merchants for years, that they were market. A similar reduction in the price of storage and i thus imposed upon; that they were in lho power of these freight, would also release us from a still heavier annual : companies; and so long ns there is but one channel opened to market lor our immense trade, so long will these evus exist; and no arrangements whatever of the ('mini Commissioners cull control tiiis absolute power to monopolize nnd impose upon the commerco of the Stale. It is under such circumstances that we, ns the rcprem ntn-lives of the penplo of Ohio, bound to protect their rights and tax. A careful examination, however, of tho important advantages in poinl of distance, safety und expedition, which the proposed communication to Philadelphia will secure to our citizens, must convince us Ihnt even such a reduction will be found insufficient to draw our trade in that direction. That this rout will confer still greater benefits upon our commerce promote their interests, aro culled upon to decide the import. than the mere amount of this reduction, there can be no doubt, question nemm us. ,nu win wcsnrini; irom me cmn-u. when the subject is fully investigated. lioll!i ut dl"y w" ' the State? Will wc miller "r Tho distance from Philadelphia to Pittsburg, by tho Pcnn- judgment to he swayed by local interest, so fur as lo disregard sylvania Canal ami Rail road, is three hundred nnd ninety the general good? Shall it bo said of us, in ll?:i", iifier w if-three miles. From Pittsburg to New Castle, by the rout i nessing the disinterested patriotism, the unliring zeal, nnd do. of the proposed Cnnul reported bv the Canal Commissioners! tcriniin-d resolution maiii listed hy our predecessors in project. of Pennsylvania, and the "Canal already completed up tho Big '"K and establishing our system of internal improvement Beaver, will be less Mian fifty miles, and from thenco to the Ohio Canal by the line of Col. Dodge's survey, is eighty. five miles; making tho whole distanco from Philadelphia to the Ohio Canal, by the northern or Mahoning rout, about five hundred and twenty-five miles; nnd by the southern rout, the distance is admitted to be still less, being about five hundred and ten miles. From the junction of tho Mahoning Canal with tho Ohio Canal, to Cleveland, is thirty-night miles; from Cleveland to New York bv Lake Erio and tho New York Canal, is seven hundred miles; in nil seven hundred and thir- ty eight miles. This shows the difference between these two communications to the seaboard, to ho more than two hun-dred miles. To this advantngo in point of distance, should bo udded its safety; tho certainty of timo in which property could bo transported from one point lo another along its whole line, and tho long periods in tho spring and fall in which it could be used, while tho hnrbor of Buffalo would ho wholly obstructed by ice. Thcso obstacles and embarrassments, which must ever unavoidably attend the present Lake rout, when brought into competition with tho facilities and salety c miercis uiu noi unpen which the other will confer, must inevitably effect an entire M'0'1 "'"'"Id made at all after seeing the steady perseverance and manly firmness by which it has since been maintained by their successors, and nobly sustained by the people and nller beholding its bene, ficiul results throughout the State that, influenced by sec tional feelings, wo became regardless of the public interests, nnd ignobly refused our assent to a measure which would crown their noble enterprise anil patriotic efforts with complete nnd triumphant success? Will those Senutors who voted at the Inst session for an indirect appropriation from tho treasury of; tlichtnte, lor the ht-neht ol a couipanv, which thru claim will amount to more than a million of dollars, now w ithhold their assent to nn appropriation of about half tho nmount, which will secure to the Stato far greater ndvuntages, by construct- ing a Canal which will unite with the Pennsylvania Canal, and he subject to the control of, and for the use and benefit of tho State! 1 have listened with much attention to all tho arguments which havo been advanced against tho passage of; the hill, and not a solitary voico have I heard to suy aught against its utility und importance to tho Statu, or thnt the public interests did not imperiously demnnd that this communico- events. REMARKS OF MB. KING, In tho Senate, on the motion nt' tlin Senator from Tiiccnrfnvni to pntlpone indefinitely the bill roporod hy the standing com. miltee on tho .IniVieinr'y, "revoking certnin granls of the tells of the Cannls of this Kinto." Mr Speaki-r: Tim subject under discussion in pup nf e'en' delicacy nnd importance, in reference lo its bcarinirs upon 'he r-cl'tc "nil claims nf individual standing in the relation nf public creditors of the Stnlc, nml upen inenronrntinns rlniming pencil' privileges under their charters, as well as upon the interest ant chnraclpr nf thn StalP. To my iindprs'niwliiiL'. the Stale Imp been brought into such a dilemma, ns requires Ife most prompt nnd decisive netinn.-jn re-trncinir her steps, in order tn preserve her reputation for intPgrity nnd honor, towards lipr public credi'ors, from the imputation! which may justly hp cast upon it. Tn say thn least, hy iijmli-cioii9 lpff'slniinn, tlm rpvenno of tho State, nrisinj frem the tolls-on her Cannls which, by a solemn act of the Legislature, had been sacredly pledged as security for thn payment of thn interest and principal of n specific nVhl has inco been diverted to other objects, in opon violation nf tlm plighted faith of the Stain. So long as tho mm, thin wrongli'ly diverted, was inconsiderable in amount, nnd before its nHecto unnn ihn fund-" of the Smtn were realized, it would, nrnhah'v, have created no strong FPnattons in thn pidilic mind, nor very jpjiriou?lv affected the pharacter vi the R'ato, cither nt homo or nhrnnd. Hut when il hail bnceine nr. alarmitiff in prospect, so injurious in its results, and sopprnicioii--in its tendencies, that the public agents of the Hta'e, in justice lo themselves and the nfhVinl character which they have ni-taiiied in tho noirotialionfl with the creditors nf the State, deem it their duly to call the attention nf the Legislature to the subject, and invoke their aid to preserve the faith nf the Slaw inviolate, and the contracts made under their solemn pledges unimpaired, it would SPcm to be lime thnt something should he done by those who havo contributed to these pinbarrassmpnts, and who alone have the power to rpinpdy tlm evil. Of still hiirber importance is il to some nf the members nf this body, that thin one" in should now bo callod tip, and its principles ilisc:ied and examined, w hen we are told, upon this floor, by Ihnee who have aided by their voles to bring the Sta'o into this dilemma, that the irranls made to an incorporated Company nt the lat session, oueht not In be considered valid tn the extent which has ben claimed by llieui under this grant, because, they slate, that "ch was not their understanding of its provisions, nt the time they voted for the bill, nor was such the intention cil'the Lcuilature in passincr it. Then, surely, it hecoines the duty nf such Senators, lo see thnt this sub lent is properly understood nnd examined nt this tun", while they retain their spats upon lb floor, and before this Comnnny ha sirensi honed its claims upon the funds nf tlm Stute, by any larop appropriations hplnre the nup--1iott bail bePn brouirht boliirn the M'tfiFlaturn h r decision and lueil actum upon the extent unit va lidity ol tins grant. What will he the effect upon Ihn public mind, iflhis subject i indefinitely postponed! Will it nM be said, that, when lho question had been raised. that our branch nl'tho Lceislaturc had tacitly givpn lliPir assent lo the construct ion which this Company bad pit' upon this act! And have not iIiofcwIio voted for 't, declared in thpir place, that such wns not the intention of tho Legislature in passintj il? Will not the public hold us responsible lor our acts in relation tn thi question nt the present session, as ivell as our preilpcpssnrs for theirs of lho Inst! Will thn people nf the Stato rest satisfied, if we suffer this question, so important to their interets n-,d reputation, to bn indefinitely postponed, after it has been fairly broHghl before us by the standing cotnini'tee on thn Judiciary, who havo expressed their imaninwus opinion nf the invalidity of ibe Brant, by bringing in a bill to revoke il unconditionally! And since i: lias been so amended as In allow the nssessiiient and payment nf damages, have not some Senators upon this floor, who voted for the grant, expressed their dissenl to such assessment of damaoes in the onso of the last ernnl, be cause the present bill did not restrict ihe committee in estimating theia to such a const ruction of the act ns the Legislature i HI ended I And shall p he d,,jng justice to this Company, if we permit llieui ti proceed in their work, alter ihe subject lias been called to our notice! aher the c nstilminnality of the grant has been questioned! and alter the cnntrueiion which thi Company has pat upon lho provisions of (be act has been denied by those who voted lor it: il we should, nt Ibis session, indefinitely postpone it, nnd afterwards attempt In curtail their clni"ia. or cxpla n them to be essentially different from what they themselves have de-chrcd them to be! To bring the itihject more clearly to view, and to ihn'v the encrnnchnicntu of the recent net nt' the Legislature upon tlnw of a prior date, anil Ihn slrnnt-er claims which the public creditors ol Ihn Stato have upon Ihese liuiils, where Ihey have made ml-vnncca upon tliPso pledges; il may not bo inappropriate at this linin lo irive a short sketch of tho history of our legislation upon this snb0ct. At the com ncenient nf our system of internal improvement, the ('anal Commissioners wen: requested In open a correspondence wilh the Eastern capitalists. In ascertain the terms and conditions noun which Ion us could be obtain-d hy the Slate, fur tho prnsi cuticu and completion of her Canals then in contemplation. In pursuance of such instructions, lei"rs were addressed by I hem lo various individinls in l!iu Atlantic cities, in ntisncr to which, some ot the principal lho provisions of an act of the Legislators, before any question wns raised as to thd validity or etii ct of the act, or the intention of the Legislature in making the granti V third Company has recently commenced operations; but before a spade had been put into lho ground, they themselves raised the question of doubt as to the tenuro by which they held their claims upon the funds of tho Slate, and publicly called upon their friends in the Legislature, In advance, to defend llicir claims from litlack, before they had been nssniled. Docs not this Couraa naturally lead tn lho suspicion that they sup-po'eil that nil wu not right? that thers was inmething wrnnj; in the grant itself, or in the manner of obtaining it, or in the eon- (ruction which the Legislature intended should bo put upon il, nnd that thry wcrs fully nwnre that their clniini were (uicepti-hie of bring successfully resitted) In thil respect, they stand upon a very different footing (rnm either of the ntber CnmpanieSi The bill, however, prnvidet for nn equitable ndiustniciit "f ho Hi these chiims. Il not tie character of the Stale deeply involved, and directly impeached, by thit unprecedented nnd unconstitutional course of legislation? Can tho Legislature wididraw, in ibis manner, (he funds already appropriated hy law (o tprcifio objects, for which the) Stale bns ulready received large advance in money, on more favoroblo term! than ba could otherwise havo obtained them? And nre we not doing manifest injury and injtin tice lo the holders of our slocks, who havo relied with confidence upon the cnn(ract and promise of (he Slnte, "thai the value of the laid ttnek ihould in nn tmc be impaired by any leniilatire art nf the State!" tln not Ibis contract, made wilh (he creditors of the Slate, been itfipnired, in direct violation of Ibe Constitution, as well ns the law of thn Stute, which remnint in full force upon tho tinges of our statutes? Shall neither tb chums nf justice, nor the letter of (be Con(i-tut inn, nor (he forms nf luw, be regarded ia our luilli of legislation? Shall we permit (be pride of opinion, or self-interest, to influence nor decision upon a question in which Ibe honor and fidelity nf the Statu is so deeply involved! I cannot believe it. We may yet retrnco our itepa without doing injuntico tn any one. I it notour duly In do so? Will nut (he interests Of Ihe.M .iMxtuuiHt h&l hu DrOlUOtU't fcj settling (bis question hy legislation, rather llian hy a judicial tribunal? Will not (ha people of (he Stale, when (hey understand Ihe suhjoct, demand this at Ihe hund( of ttieir representatives? If, however, we aro hesitating as to the pruper course to pursue if wo wish tn as-eerinin public seutiineiil upon the question, the preent motion should not prevail t but lho uhjecl should bo laid over to another sr.-ion. For one, however, I cannot long hcsitnle, when rvery piinctple of justice, honor and iiitecrity requires inu to net. JVofc. The million wus lust hy n vote of 111 to Hi. The hill inis then nrdered to ha engrossed f .r its third rending, by u vote nf 21) tn It wns subsequently postponed In thn first Monday ol December next, by a vo(eof IN tn Hi. 5 Sai hs Filberts 6 do soft shell Alraondt 5 do hard (In do I Itbl Draiil Nut do Minium (In 0 Cocoa do j Tor ale by SIlKrtWOOI) ii GREOORT il.'C 5 I sfuTiijic CnrtK : rriMG subscriber keeps constantly on hand. JL n supply ol aiachink jibps, oi superior quality, ftoiu No, iiH, lo No. 311, inclusive. He likewise coiitiiine the Machine huihling business, at his old stand m Wnr-thington, whore bo will a.1 nil I Hue she ready In attend oh all tiiose who may be pleased March 1'OTTER WRIGHT. IT American Sunday sckool chnnoo in our commercial intercourse with tho seaboard, INo benator on this floor has had tho hardihood to declare whenever tho contemplated communication shnll have been 111 lmlc! mieresis ot me oiuio wouiu noi uu gre.u opened to Philui'clphia, The productions of that vast region of country which lies west of our Canal, and which aro accumulated during tho winter season, along tho shoro of Lake Erie and lho upper Lakes, must bo attructed to this shorter, snfer nnd more ex-puditious rout, to reach nn early market in the spring, beforo lho harbor of Buffalo could bo opened for their reception. nd when such commercial intercourse and relations were ncc established upon this rout, there could be no inducement whatever to change them during any other season of the yiur. Tho additional business which would thus ho introduced upon the Ohio Canal from tho western part of Luko hno and tho upper Lakes, must greatly augment tho tolls on its northern section, and with thoso accruing on its own line, would be mnro than sufficient to meet the interest on the sum required for its construction. It has ulso been represented thnt lho increasing business on tjiPlOhio Canal, would soon rcquiro an additional supply of vJr on tho Portage buninut, tosecuro winch, would involve- a further expenditure to a considerable nmount, on the part nf tho" Stoto. Should tho northern rout bn selected for tho of tho State. Should tho northern rout bo selected for tho proposed connexion, lho quantity of water which it must in roduco upon that level, would bo more than sufficient for tho utmos.' operations of tho Canal. And hero 1 beg leave to explain mo?'6 fully tho statements made in the report of tho select committO0 wn'cn reported this bill, in relation to the extent nnd vnlno oi-tho water power which would bo secured to the State for hydraulic- purposes, hy the construction of this Pnnnl. The summit level of the Muhoning Canal, is seven and a half miles long, and descends rnpMly to tho east, over n fall of two hundred and forty-two font, to the lino of the Slain, and westerly to the Ohio &nal, by a fall of more llian ono ono hundred feet. Upon this she 1 lfivel 111 " " u,u uu "," lnnnil. nvni-,lmrrtnl'..1 n,l..'o .. .' itiollS, HlOrO lIlUll fuUf thousand threo hundred and forty cubin of 7a1to,rf!M',r minute during tho Jiiest season of lho year; . v ? Kearney's calculations, a further suppl'- could nt nnv' lime. , obtained from Congress Lake. The calculations of tho , ly promoted by such a result. Leaving ihe main subject, they havo gono.off upon collateral questions, which their ingenuity or crazy imagination i could devise, to assign reasons for their opposition; nnd those, reasons have been as diverso Hnd con trudictory, as Ihe sources from whence they originated. The main argument has been, that this is not the proper time; that it should bo delayed for one year more, to see the operations of the companies incorporated for tho purpose of doing this work, without appeal ing to take mlo consideration, that every year it is delayed will draw from the citizens of ihe State, a sum sufficient lo defray ono fifth of the expense. I his measure has been repentedlv and strongly recom- mended by the Excculivo of tho Slate, and by its public, ugents, who hnve reflected long and deeply upon the subject. And tho btntii of Pcunsylvnnin has not only expressed her willingness toco-operate with Ohio in extending her Canal lo tho lino ol tho htnto, but her deeppohcttudoin tho nccomplisli mcnt of lho objuct sought to be attained by the passngo of this bill. It now devolves upon tho Legislature of Dhio to doterm e whether thev will, by extending her Canal the lur Ihor distanco of about sevonty.fivo miles, undo it with works of a similar character, of more than four hundred miles in extent, nnd thoreby confer upon each other the bennnls ol their respective improvements, lfy so doing wo shall lesson tho distance to the seaboard mora than two hundred miles; free her commerce from unnecessary embarrassment, mono, j poiy ana expense; essentially promote tno great mieresis oi her citizens; elevnte her commercial importance and influence in tho estimation of neighboring States; and instead of re. maining dependent upon, nnd tributary to one alone, w shnll secure to our own Stute the key which will open to the com merce of the whole weatorn country, an earlier and more ready access to the eastern markets: and to the nation, a di. reel nnd expeditious channel for the transportation of supplies and munitions of war, from tho Atlantic, through tho interior of the country, to tho western States, which will be alike safe making this inquiry. In aunver in which, some ot the principal ,0 caj n: l- i. I I:. ..I .1.-. .,' .1.- I.I ..... I OailKera 'lull npuniisin rejllien, llllli II IIOI e-llio: wouo, pri niinn and pli'dgn, hy.nc( of ihe Legislature, rci uiu specific tourer of rn venue until ihn Canal should be completed and in oppralion, and .l.n nli.l n f !., u I, ..In nnii..in.t j ,if ilu tulle iwl F.oilfl Tur the SOPIiri'V ofthe payment ofthn intero-t and final redemption of the principal, j I'llioH IH'JJOsiiorj'j that Ihe sums required ronld bo obtained at six per cool, on such "S1HREE doors south ol (ho Niiuonnl Ho-pledgos. I will hero reli-r to some of theso answers, for th- pur- , B;. '. '''' directly opposito the pnhl.o posn'of. homing how important, hey consUier.d IV'd iSItlS:- I"' "f 7 in procuring " " " V '"" l"'K- M ,H , nwl , whioh ,h,Y ,r8 10 Od, ill tho vohimo or Ohin (.anal I locutnenis. Lxtraets, worn I (J oun(,r (1,iie Uion jn Hllnrt. here rend, trom various bankers in New urk in reply m Icliera I m) j u LRIST, JiftnL addrossod tn thorn by the Canal Commissioners.) It will readily i n,s.i 5, o.li it) I,a .Ann limv nmnli snlmnna mil nlnil l,u I'insO Pn oi III I islM lltlon ' snecific'nledi'es of curtain sources of revenue, and nf the loll nfOOLUMB'JU INSURANCE the Canal, in addition to the general plodgo of tho faith of (!iC Stale for the payment of tho debt. They state, that this kind ol security would hu required, in give stability to tho stock in mar ket that it would enhance its value in the estimation ot moneyeu men, and, consequently, it would insure to Jho State better oilers for the loan. This correspondence was all laid before a succeeding Leghhiture, nnd an act was passed, in conformity to ihn now, anil Hiuirostioiu of those bankers, upon whose aid the State was depending for securing her loans. A part of ono section of this acl, I beir leave to rotor to. Sec. 5. 'I hat for tho payment of interest, and tho anal re :.tiiy. charter perpetual. rBlHK piilihn are respemtiilly notified (hut il the Columbus Iti-oMnce Company, oou-tiuue to luaku Insurances agiunt LOSS OR DAMAGE At the lowest rules of premium. The Com-uany ei peel tn do business nn nt favorahlo terms .is any ulhnr siuulur imti'ulinn, and by , ., i J ., r .ii i ' the uiiuoii 1'iirii ami iioeiauiy in uu ineir demptton of (he principal of lho sums ,,r money to bo. borrowed , metj, , pHlrollBe'KI,a dervo under the provision nf this act, ihorn shall ba and are hereby ,h. cliu,,.,lt,e f ,he public. irrcvocaiuy piougeit anunopropriaieu, on tno nou proceeiiaoi iuu.i Qiliso in the Cuimling llnom or 1. W. collected on lho Canals herein described, and of the rents and )e,,r) wheto prompt attention will b proum oi an noras anu privileges ooiiueuioo wuu, or iippi iuiiune; given to uu applications. to said Cannls. and bclonffiii2 to tho Stale," &.C "and the faith of lho State is herohv pledged, that tho tnx hereby levied shall not bo a)lernu! or reduced, so a to impair tho security hereby nled"cd for the navuient nf nitcrost, nnd tho final redemption of the principal nfihuiiims to be borrowed hy virtue of lliis acl ; nud that nu lax shall ever ho levied by the Legislature, or under tho authority of this Slate, on the stock lo bo created by virtue "I I Ins act, nor on the interest which mny be payable then-nti; nmf iir-thrr, that thn t.ifne nf the tiwt tlork thall i;i mi iciae be imjiuirrd by nn; fre-isiilitw art of n't Slnte." Clothed wilh this authority, and with this act in their hands, tho ('anal Kund Commissioners went iulo the mont'V market, nnd obtained their loans on lb" tnosl favorahlo terms, and is-ued Ihe stock of tho Slnte, which has been selling in market, an. I n-ing in vuluo ever since, in ennsoquenen ot the auiplo security winch had been thus irrevocably given hy law for the payment of ihe interest and reimbursement ot the principal, by men spucihc pledges. Ity tuihseqiiPnt act nt legislation, this security hat been unpaired, and lho original tonus nf the contract, under which the loans were nbluined, infringed upon; and thn failh nf tht State, thus solemnly pledged In her creditors, broken nnd held for nnught. Can thin he right! Can it ha equitable! Is it not con- trarv to the Constitution nf cur State, winch declare, thal'Mo (aw impmrin Ihe validity ol contract! ihnll fvrr be mailt ! Nn one will prelend, that injustice is not dona tn tho holders ul the stock of the Stato, or that the faith of the State has not been broken. Does not thit stale of thingi require the UVo.'ivu action ofthe legislature! And whut other remedy can be applied more eq iitsU'1 than th' provision! of the bill now under consideration! i he rrint to one Company, which ha gone mlo operation and completed her work, l. W. UKSHLF.R, Sec. pro tem. Sept. Ill, IHU 3 To Si'vt'rMiiiillis. A Complete set of SI I-V K Kd.Vl ITII and A. WVrCIUMKKrVS Tools for sale. Inquire at the Store of P. II. OloMSTED. Columbus, Oct. llOt. 5tf 50 b.ixcs f'nncy Shaving Soap t) do VnriegiiUd do SO do Hositi do 'r'ot sale hy oiit.iiuuu at uit,r.iruK Den S I Bags Pepper Id ri't Since I tlhl. Nulmega I dn (iiugiir I do Cloves SO Mats Cassia, Just received by SHF.RWOOI) k GREGORY lenember I anu secure trom mo uangers ot mo L,nKo iiavigau.Hi, m ". .. ttp.aiv blVn of llt ,,0 pr,flnt es.ion. Another ol pence, nnd Irom the assaults and interruptions oi a wreiB'M Company has beon two years in progress, and has ex-ndod larg. power, in time of wnr. sums of money under the expectation of rtceivmg tins lieuefin ul FissSi. 10 BMs Mackerel 9 do Salmon 7 nn "Cinriscticiit River" Shad ;V) Rixes Hernnir ft Q'linlnlsCodhsh For snlo hy SHER WOOD it GREGORY . Dec 5
Object Description
Title | Ohio State journal and Columbus gazette (Columbus, Ohio : 1825), 1835-03-14 |
Place |
Columbus (Ohio) Franklin County (Ohio) |
Date of Original | 1835-03-14 |
Searchable Date | 1835-03-14 |
Submitting Institution | Ohio History Connection |
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Description
Title | Ohio State journal and Columbus gazette (Columbus, Ohio : 1825), 1835-03-14 page 1 |
Place |
Columbus (Ohio) Franklin County (Ohio) |
Searchable Date | 1835-03-14 |
Submitting Institution | Ohio History Connection |
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Full Text | PRINTED AND PUBLISHED AND COLUMBUS GAZETTE. Two Dollars Fifty Cent bin idvancetj TERMS, Or, Three Dollars at the end of the feat Whole Numbir, 1384. New Scrics....No. 39, Vol. IV. COLSJJIHUS, SATURDAY, MAKCS1 14, 1835. REMARKS OF 11 R. KING, In tho Sonnto of Ohio, on the bill authorizing the Acting Cn. rial Cominis3ionor3 to construct a Canal, to unite tlic Pcnn-sylvuniu nnd Ohio Cannls tho motidri of Mr Hawkins to strike out the first section of said bill, being under consid-Crution.Mr Chairma: I riso under much embarrassment, to op. oso tiin present motion, nnd to advocate tho wisdom, the ex. edienoy and the policy of the passage of tho bill now under i'tiny oration. This embarrassment, however, does not arise i'lom any apprehension that, on a full and fair investigation of tlm subject, it will bo found wanting in merits, but from a consciousness of my inability to do it justice. Neither my inclinations, nor my duties hitherto in life, bnve ever called mo to take part in public debates; and I am wholly unnccustomed to public speaking. Notwithstanding these disadvantages, impelled by n sense of duty to my constituents, and to the State of which I am ltroud to bo a citizen, I must nsk the indulgence of the com- mitten, while I state in as brief u manner as possible, some of tho reasons which constrain me to resist the present motion, and urgo tli9 passage of the bill. The subject under consid-oration is one of deep interest to tho State, involving in its character and consequences, matters of great public utility and convenience, as well us important questions of State poli. cy and revenue, in which all its citizens are alike concerned; tind will, therefore, I trust, receivo that calm, dispassionate Kind careful examination, which its importance demands. In tho discussion and decision of this question, I hopo all section- (al feelings and local interests will be discarded from our minds, tiii? tliat tho public good and general welfare of the State will alone be consulted and regarded. For myself, sir, I have no wish or intention of urging this retain this invaluable trade? Will that Stato rigidly adhere to her present rate of tolls upon her Canal, which now yields an annual income of more than twelve per cent, upon its entire cost? Will her business men, her mercantile cities, and her forwarding companies, see their accustomed business es. caping from their grasp, nnd passing into other hands, with, out making; a strusirlc to prevent it? No, sir; they certainly will not. Common sense, as well as every principle 01 sen interest, will dictate a dillerent course. We shall then see tho Stato of New York changing her policy in conformity villi this new sla'e of things, by reducing her tolls to the lowest possible point at which she can realize a profit to herself; and by offering every J'acility and inducement in her power to secure a continuance of our trade in its pre. sent channels. Nor will her enterprising and calculating citizens feel less interested in securing that object; or less inclined to adopt measures of a similar character to promote it. Individual competition generally reduces business of nny kind, to the smallest profits at which it can be sustained; nor will this inlhience be less powerful, when brought to bear upon two independent nnd rival States, contending for this rich, profitable, and growing trade, of the whole westernconn-trv. And let mo nsk you, sir, will it not be a prize worthy o such competition, and ot such competitors! VV lint then, sir, must be its beneficial results to the State of Ohio? If the amount of tolls received on the Ohio Canals the past year, be any criterion to judge of the amount that the citizens of Ohio have paid in tolls to the Stale of New York the same season, we can form sonic estimate of the benefits thev would derive of the water power included the full from the Rnvcnna Summit of tho Mahoning Canal, as well as the fall of Ihn Portage Sum mit, and should have been so stated in the report, instead of; supposing it all to have been carried on to the Portage Summit of the Ohio Cnnul. Tho estimated value of this water power was founded on information received from one of the Canal Commissioners, as to the average value at which such privi. leges had been rented by them on the Ohio Cunal, and was stated twenty per cent, below such average annual rents. Tho extent of this power is nlso greater in about tho same proportion; and at these low estimates it amounted to twelve thousand dollars per year, or the interest on a cnpitul of two hundred thousand dollurs. Do not all these facts sufficiently show tho importance of this work to Hie stale at large; and the urgent necessity, as well as the imperative duty of the State, to cmnncipnte her commerco from Ihese unnecessary delays nnd embarrass, mollis, and these impoverishing charges? Will not the agricultural and the manufacturing, ns well ns the commercial interests of lho whole Slate, be equally promoted by lessening tho expense Of sending our surplus productions to market? And can there remain a doubt on our min is, when this subject !s fuirly examined, that by thus reducing the distance to market, breaking down the monopoly which now exists, and creating a competition between two rival routs, that wo shall save to the citizens of our State, within a short period of time, the nmount necessary for the construction of this work? What sum is required for the attainment of this object? One rout has already been carefully surveyed under the direction ot the Canal Commissioners, and by them reported to the Lo from such reduction of tolls on the New York Canal. The gishitiiro, nnd the estimated expense given in detail amounting tolls collected on the Ohio Canal the past year, by reference ' to 5.764,372; and the Canal Commissioners now say that with to the message; of the Governor, will be found to exceed two hundred thousand dollars. It should bo noticed, however, bill upon tho favorable notice of the Senato in the shape in that a great portion of the property on which this amount of; which it is now presented to us, upon nny other considerations, tolls was collected, did not traverse the whole distanca ol the "or by any other inducements, than those of sound policy and tho general interests of the State. If it cannot he sustained upon these principles, and satisfactorily shown that I he benefits and advantages which will result to the Stato nt large from 'the accomplishment of tho work proposed, will within a short 'period of time, remunerate tho expenses incurred thereby, and that tho additional business it will introduce upon the Ohio Canal, will increase tho revenue of the Stnto to such an amount, that together with the tolls arising on this additional section, will more than repay the interest on its cost, and thoreby become a source of revenue and profit to the State, and eventually reimburse tho principal, I will cease to advocate upon this floor its merits ns a State work. I will seek no extrinsic aid from the claims of justice which might be urged in favor of that section of the Stato which I have the honor to represent, from the lurge amount they have ulready contributed to the general improvements of tho State, without participating in their immediate facilities and benefits, nor will 1 enter into any discussion of tho comparative ad- vantages of the two routs which have been proposed for this 'connexion. Tho one I will leave to the good sense and discernment of Senators; the other I will freely confide to the public agents of the State If we will cast our eyes upon the map of our country, and notice our own location and public improvements, in connexion with those of other States, and to other markets around us, wo shall perceive thut tho city of Philadelphia is situated directly oast of tho central part of our State, and of the Ohio Canal, and about ono hundred miles westerly from the city of INow York, and can therefore bo reached by a direct lino thus much shorter. It will also be seen, that at present the only channel by which our commerco can reach the latter city, is by way of Lake Erie and tho New York Canal, which necessarily takes it about two hundred miles further north, than the most northerly limits of our State, thereby still further increasing tho distanco to that remote market. This circuitous rout is also attended with the vexatious dc. lays and burlhcnsomo charges of transhipment, storage and forwarding, on all produce and merchandize nt Cleveland, nt BufTalo, and at Albany, and with an insurance or risk of loss upon tho Lake. The averngo rate of insurance upon the Lake throughout tho season, is ono hull' per cent.; and this item alono on all valuable merchandize, exceeds tho cost of freight on a Canal tho same distance; and when added to the expenso of storage and freight upon the Lake, will more than double that amount. - The lato period at which lho harbor of Buffalo is opened in the spring, precludes our produco from the advantages of an early market; and the increased danger ot the bake navt gntion in tho fall, necessarily crowds the wholo business of tho year into a few summer months The uncertainty of time required for tho transportation of merchandize and produco across tho Lake, which ranges from two. to fifteen and twenty days, is a sourco ot great cm barrassment in all mercantile operations. It is no uncommon ,occurrenco, that vessels are precludcd'from leaving the bar. ibor of Buffulo for weeks at a time, during tho most busy . season of the year; and oven steam boats have been held in i the ports upon the Lako from six to eight days in succession i beyond the times of departure, by adverse winds. These are ..all facts within my own knowledge, gathered from nncxpe--fienceof more than fifteen years in mercantile business upon i this rout. By uniting tho Pennsylvania nnd Ohio Canals, those un-Avoidable delays and consuming chnrges mny be avoided, and . safe, cheap and expeditious channel opened for our com. unetco to the city of Philadelphia. Tho difference in point of -distance alono, between these two communications to tho sea iKinrd, must save to tho citizens of Ohio annually, admitting the rato of tolls and charges of freight shouid remain as they now are, a sum fur greater than the interest on tho cost of ; this work the distanco bo:ng about one third less. It is only by looking prospectively, however, to tho import ant changes in our commercial relations, which this improve mcnt must effect, and to tho competition it will create, by giv ing us a choice of routs ami markets, that the full benefits and advantages which will result to our State, can bo duly . appreciated. Tho necessity which now secures to the State of New York tho immense revenuo arising on our transportations, and which also enables her carriers to fix their own charges upon its freight, will then no longer exist. Wo shall then no longer uo compolled to submit in silcnco to such impositions of toll . as the interest alone of tho former shall diclato, nor lo such charges of freight as the avarice or cupidity of the latter, when combined for such purpose will urue them to mako, Nor aro theso suggestions urged upon your attention will.'out substantial reasons. It is well known to all who hnvo been engaged in the commerco of tho Stuto for tho last twelvo years, that the cost of transportation upon this rout has been constantly changing; that during the same season, while the rate of tolls upon the New York Canal has remained the same, the charges for freight have been increased more thnn forty per cent, in ono week, by combinations umong the different transportation companies in New York, and that they have the absoluto power to fix upon any price they may think pro. er, when they can ngroo among themselves, knowing they have no other competitors. Let tho Stute of New York, howovor. but channel opened to a. different murkot, und our commerce, which has hitherto contributed so largely to her revenuo and wealth, taking a different direction,. and what must bo her po-licyt Will her statesmen, her public agents, her commercial cities, and hor transportation companies, mako no efforts to Ohio Canal, but was received and discharged nt tho various intermediate ports along its entire "line; and that the whole northwestern section of the Slate, and the entire Lake region, now send tlveir produce to market by way of Lako Erioand the New Y ork Cnnul; and, although they do not contribute to swell the tolls on the Ohio Canal, yet they arc tributary to the New Y'ork Canal, and would consequently be equally interested and benefited by any reduction of tolls which the proposed work would effect on that Canal. Taking all these facts into consideration, nnd the distance which our property must pass on the New Y'ork Canal to mar. ket, and the amount received thereon the past year, which exceed a million nnd a half of dollnrs, if we should then es-timato the nmount which the citizens of Ohio havo paid to tho State of Now Y'ork during this period, at three hundred thousand dollnrs, we should probably fall short of tho real amount. If to this sum wo add tho still larger amount they havo paid to tho citizens of that Stato fur storage, insurance and freight, it would then readily be perceived how deeply our interests would be affected by a reduction of tho costs of transportation to a reasonable profit Hy reducing tho tolls alone on tho New Y'ork Canal to two thirds of their present amount, and which would then yield a revenue of mora than eight per cent, on its entire cost, we should save to the citizens of our Stato unnunlly, one hundred thousand dollars, admitting our commerce should not increase nil their experience upon this subject, they believe it will be lounu sjlncient to cover the coster the work Another important fact which has already been adverted to, is also jnnlirmed by the recent report of the Canal Board, now lying upon our tables. They stato that a reduction was made the last veor in the rato of tolls on the Ohio and New ork Canals of twenty-five per cent, from tho former charges. And what do they inform us was tho result of this measure? Did it lessen tho cost of trnnsporlation on your produce or merchandize? Not in the least. The only effect of the measure was to take the amount of such reduction from the Treasury of the State, nnd put it into the pockets of tho carriers of New Y'ork. Yes, s,ir; morn than this; go quickly did this arrangement excite the notice of the dillerent forwarding lines, and so perfectly did it accord with their feelings and interests, that they agreed at or-co not only to take tho benefit of this reduction, butnctuully raised tho price of transportation over nnd nhovo the previous charges, about fifteen per cent., notw ithstanding tho charges of toll had been thus diminished. By this simple operation, tho citizens of Ohio were compel!, ed to pay the lastsenson more than one hundred nnd twenty thousand dollnrs; nnd which, instead of enriching the treasury of tho States, was divided among the transportation com. panics of New York and Ohio. Such combinations, nlthough now for the. first time adverted to by the Cnnul Commissioners, nie nothing new under the sun. It is probably the first tune they have come into contact with the calculations of that board, nud therefore, first brought lo their notice. It has, however, been n constant theme of and that it should continue to flow in tho same, channels to complaint among tho merchants for years, that they were market. A similar reduction in the price of storage and i thus imposed upon; that they were in lho power of these freight, would also release us from a still heavier annual : companies; and so long ns there is but one channel opened to market lor our immense trade, so long will these evus exist; and no arrangements whatever of the ('mini Commissioners cull control tiiis absolute power to monopolize nnd impose upon the commerco of the Stale. It is under such circumstances that we, ns the rcprem ntn-lives of the penplo of Ohio, bound to protect their rights and tax. A careful examination, however, of tho important advantages in poinl of distance, safety und expedition, which the proposed communication to Philadelphia will secure to our citizens, must convince us Ihnt even such a reduction will be found insufficient to draw our trade in that direction. That this rout will confer still greater benefits upon our commerce promote their interests, aro culled upon to decide the import. than the mere amount of this reduction, there can be no doubt, question nemm us. ,nu win wcsnrini; irom me cmn-u. when the subject is fully investigated. lioll!i ut dl"y w" ' the State? Will wc miller "r Tho distance from Philadelphia to Pittsburg, by tho Pcnn- judgment to he swayed by local interest, so fur as lo disregard sylvania Canal ami Rail road, is three hundred nnd ninety the general good? Shall it bo said of us, in ll?:i", iifier w if-three miles. From Pittsburg to New Castle, by the rout i nessing the disinterested patriotism, the unliring zeal, nnd do. of the proposed Cnnul reported bv the Canal Commissioners! tcriniin-d resolution maiii listed hy our predecessors in project. of Pennsylvania, and the "Canal already completed up tho Big '"K and establishing our system of internal improvement Beaver, will be less Mian fifty miles, and from thenco to the Ohio Canal by the line of Col. Dodge's survey, is eighty. five miles; making tho whole distanco from Philadelphia to the Ohio Canal, by the northern or Mahoning rout, about five hundred and twenty-five miles; nnd by the southern rout, the distance is admitted to be still less, being about five hundred and ten miles. From the junction of tho Mahoning Canal with tho Ohio Canal, to Cleveland, is thirty-night miles; from Cleveland to New York bv Lake Erio and tho New York Canal, is seven hundred miles; in nil seven hundred and thir- ty eight miles. This shows the difference between these two communications to the seaboard, to ho more than two hun-dred miles. To this advantngo in point of distance, should bo udded its safety; tho certainty of timo in which property could bo transported from one point lo another along its whole line, and tho long periods in tho spring and fall in which it could be used, while tho hnrbor of Buffalo would ho wholly obstructed by ice. Thcso obstacles and embarrassments, which must ever unavoidably attend the present Lake rout, when brought into competition with tho facilities and salety c miercis uiu noi unpen which the other will confer, must inevitably effect an entire M'0'1 "'"'"Id made at all after seeing the steady perseverance and manly firmness by which it has since been maintained by their successors, and nobly sustained by the people and nller beholding its bene, ficiul results throughout the State that, influenced by sec tional feelings, wo became regardless of the public interests, nnd ignobly refused our assent to a measure which would crown their noble enterprise anil patriotic efforts with complete nnd triumphant success? Will those Senutors who voted at the Inst session for an indirect appropriation from tho treasury of; tlichtnte, lor the ht-neht ol a couipanv, which thru claim will amount to more than a million of dollars, now w ithhold their assent to nn appropriation of about half tho nmount, which will secure to the Stato far greater ndvuntages, by construct- ing a Canal which will unite with the Pennsylvania Canal, and he subject to the control of, and for the use and benefit of tho State! 1 have listened with much attention to all tho arguments which havo been advanced against tho passage of; the hill, and not a solitary voico have I heard to suy aught against its utility und importance to tho Statu, or thnt the public interests did not imperiously demnnd that this communico- events. REMARKS OF MB. KING, In tho Senate, on the motion nt' tlin Senator from Tiiccnrfnvni to pntlpone indefinitely the bill roporod hy the standing com. miltee on tho .IniVieinr'y, "revoking certnin granls of the tells of the Cannls of this Kinto." Mr Speaki-r: Tim subject under discussion in pup nf e'en' delicacy nnd importance, in reference lo its bcarinirs upon 'he r-cl'tc "nil claims nf individual standing in the relation nf public creditors of the Stnlc, nml upen inenronrntinns rlniming pencil' privileges under their charters, as well as upon the interest ant chnraclpr nf thn StalP. To my iindprs'niwliiiL'. the Stale Imp been brought into such a dilemma, ns requires Ife most prompt nnd decisive netinn.-jn re-trncinir her steps, in order tn preserve her reputation for intPgrity nnd honor, towards lipr public credi'ors, from the imputation! which may justly hp cast upon it. Tn say thn least, hy iijmli-cioii9 lpff'slniinn, tlm rpvenno of tho State, nrisinj frem the tolls-on her Cannls which, by a solemn act of the Legislature, had been sacredly pledged as security for thn payment of thn interest and principal of n specific nVhl has inco been diverted to other objects, in opon violation nf tlm plighted faith of the Stain. So long as tho mm, thin wrongli'ly diverted, was inconsiderable in amount, nnd before its nHecto unnn ihn fund-" of the Smtn were realized, it would, nrnhah'v, have created no strong FPnattons in thn pidilic mind, nor very jpjiriou?lv affected the pharacter vi the R'ato, cither nt homo or nhrnnd. Hut when il hail bnceine nr. alarmitiff in prospect, so injurious in its results, and sopprnicioii--in its tendencies, that the public agents of the Hta'e, in justice lo themselves and the nfhVinl character which they have ni-taiiied in tho noirotialionfl with the creditors nf the State, deem it their duly to call the attention nf the Legislature to the subject, and invoke their aid to preserve the faith nf the Slaw inviolate, and the contracts made under their solemn pledges unimpaired, it would SPcm to be lime thnt something should he done by those who havo contributed to these pinbarrassmpnts, and who alone have the power to rpinpdy tlm evil. Of still hiirber importance is il to some nf the members nf this body, that thin one" in should now bo callod tip, and its principles ilisc:ied and examined, w hen we are told, upon this floor, by Ihnee who have aided by their voles to bring the Sta'o into this dilemma, that the irranls made to an incorporated Company nt the lat session, oueht not In be considered valid tn the extent which has ben claimed by llieui under this grant, because, they slate, that "ch was not their understanding of its provisions, nt the time they voted for the bill, nor was such the intention cil'the Lcuilature in passincr it. Then, surely, it hecoines the duty nf such Senators, lo see thnt this sub lent is properly understood nnd examined nt this tun", while they retain their spats upon lb floor, and before this Comnnny ha sirensi honed its claims upon the funds nf tlm Stute, by any larop appropriations hplnre the nup--1iott bail bePn brouirht boliirn the M'tfiFlaturn h r decision and lueil actum upon the extent unit va lidity ol tins grant. What will he the effect upon Ihn public mind, iflhis subject i indefinitely postponed! Will it nM be said, that, when lho question had been raised. that our branch nl'tho Lceislaturc had tacitly givpn lliPir assent lo the construct ion which this Company bad pit' upon this act! And have not iIiofcwIio voted for 't, declared in thpir place, that such wns not the intention of tho Legislature in passintj il? Will not the public hold us responsible lor our acts in relation tn thi question nt the present session, as ivell as our preilpcpssnrs for theirs of lho Inst! Will thn people nf the Stato rest satisfied, if we suffer this question, so important to their interets n-,d reputation, to bn indefinitely postponed, after it has been fairly broHghl before us by the standing cotnini'tee on thn Judiciary, who havo expressed their imaninwus opinion nf the invalidity of ibe Brant, by bringing in a bill to revoke il unconditionally! And since i: lias been so amended as In allow the nssessiiient and payment nf damages, have not some Senators upon this floor, who voted for the grant, expressed their dissenl to such assessment of damaoes in the onso of the last ernnl, be cause the present bill did not restrict ihe committee in estimating theia to such a const ruction of the act ns the Legislature i HI ended I And shall p he d,,jng justice to this Company, if we permit llieui ti proceed in their work, alter ihe subject lias been called to our notice! aher the c nstilminnality of the grant has been questioned! and alter the cnntrueiion which thi Company has pat upon lho provisions of (be act has been denied by those who voted lor it: il we should, nt Ibis session, indefinitely postpone it, nnd afterwards attempt In curtail their clni"ia. or cxpla n them to be essentially different from what they themselves have de-chrcd them to be! To bring the itihject more clearly to view, and to ihn'v the encrnnchnicntu of the recent net nt' the Legislature upon tlnw of a prior date, anil Ihn slrnnt-er claims which the public creditors ol Ihn Stato have upon Ihese liuiils, where Ihey have made ml-vnncca upon tliPso pledges; il may not bo inappropriate at this linin lo irive a short sketch of tho history of our legislation upon this snb0ct. At the com ncenient nf our system of internal improvement, the ('anal Commissioners wen: requested In open a correspondence wilh the Eastern capitalists. In ascertain the terms and conditions noun which Ion us could be obtain-d hy the Slate, fur tho prnsi cuticu and completion of her Canals then in contemplation. In pursuance of such instructions, lei"rs were addressed by I hem lo various individinls in l!iu Atlantic cities, in ntisncr to which, some ot the principal lho provisions of an act of the Legislators, before any question wns raised as to thd validity or etii ct of the act, or the intention of the Legislature in making the granti V third Company has recently commenced operations; but before a spade had been put into lho ground, they themselves raised the question of doubt as to the tenuro by which they held their claims upon the funds of tho Slate, and publicly called upon their friends in the Legislature, In advance, to defend llicir claims from litlack, before they had been nssniled. Docs not this Couraa naturally lead tn lho suspicion that they sup-po'eil that nil wu not right? that thers was inmething wrnnj; in the grant itself, or in the manner of obtaining it, or in the eon- (ruction which the Legislature intended should bo put upon il, nnd that thry wcrs fully nwnre that their clniini were (uicepti-hie of bring successfully resitted) In thil respect, they stand upon a very different footing (rnm either of the ntber CnmpanieSi The bill, however, prnvidet for nn equitable ndiustniciit "f ho Hi these chiims. Il not tie character of the Stale deeply involved, and directly impeached, by thit unprecedented nnd unconstitutional course of legislation? Can tho Legislature wididraw, in ibis manner, (he funds already appropriated hy law (o tprcifio objects, for which the) Stale bns ulready received large advance in money, on more favoroblo term! than ba could otherwise havo obtained them? And nre we not doing manifest injury and injtin tice lo the holders of our slocks, who havo relied with confidence upon the cnn(ract and promise of (he Slnte, "thai the value of the laid ttnek ihould in nn tmc be impaired by any leniilatire art nf the State!" tln not Ibis contract, made wilh (he creditors of the Slate, been itfipnired, in direct violation of Ibe Constitution, as well ns the law of thn Stute, which remnint in full force upon tho tinges of our statutes? Shall neither tb chums nf justice, nor the letter of (be Con(i-tut inn, nor (he forms nf luw, be regarded ia our luilli of legislation? Shall we permit (be pride of opinion, or self-interest, to influence nor decision upon a question in which Ibe honor and fidelity nf the Statu is so deeply involved! I cannot believe it. We may yet retrnco our itepa without doing injuntico tn any one. I it notour duly In do so? Will nut (he interests Of Ihe.M .iMxtuuiHt h&l hu DrOlUOtU't fcj settling (bis question hy legislation, rather llian hy a judicial tribunal? Will not (ha people of (he Stale, when (hey understand Ihe suhjoct, demand this at Ihe hund( of ttieir representatives? If, however, we aro hesitating as to the pruper course to pursue if wo wish tn as-eerinin public seutiineiil upon the question, the preent motion should not prevail t but lho uhjecl should bo laid over to another sr.-ion. For one, however, I cannot long hcsitnle, when rvery piinctple of justice, honor and iiitecrity requires inu to net. JVofc. The million wus lust hy n vote of 111 to Hi. The hill inis then nrdered to ha engrossed f .r its third rending, by u vote nf 21) tn It wns subsequently postponed In thn first Monday ol December next, by a vo(eof IN tn Hi. 5 Sai hs Filberts 6 do soft shell Alraondt 5 do hard (In do I Itbl Draiil Nut do Minium (In 0 Cocoa do j Tor ale by SIlKrtWOOI) ii GREOORT il.'C 5 I sfuTiijic CnrtK : rriMG subscriber keeps constantly on hand. JL n supply ol aiachink jibps, oi superior quality, ftoiu No, iiH, lo No. 311, inclusive. He likewise coiitiiine the Machine huihling business, at his old stand m Wnr-thington, whore bo will a.1 nil I Hue she ready In attend oh all tiiose who may be pleased March 1'OTTER WRIGHT. IT American Sunday sckool chnnoo in our commercial intercourse with tho seaboard, INo benator on this floor has had tho hardihood to declare whenever tho contemplated communication shnll have been 111 lmlc! mieresis ot me oiuio wouiu noi uu gre.u opened to Philui'clphia, The productions of that vast region of country which lies west of our Canal, and which aro accumulated during tho winter season, along tho shoro of Lake Erie and lho upper Lakes, must bo attructed to this shorter, snfer nnd more ex-puditious rout, to reach nn early market in the spring, beforo lho harbor of Buffalo could bo opened for their reception. nd when such commercial intercourse and relations were ncc established upon this rout, there could be no inducement whatever to change them during any other season of the yiur. Tho additional business which would thus ho introduced upon the Ohio Canal from tho western part of Luko hno and tho upper Lakes, must greatly augment tho tolls on its northern section, and with thoso accruing on its own line, would be mnro than sufficient to meet the interest on the sum required for its construction. It has ulso been represented thnt lho increasing business on tjiPlOhio Canal, would soon rcquiro an additional supply of vJr on tho Portage buninut, tosecuro winch, would involve- a further expenditure to a considerable nmount, on the part nf tho" Stoto. Should tho northern rout bn selected for tho of tho State. Should tho northern rout bo selected for tho proposed connexion, lho quantity of water which it must in roduco upon that level, would bo more than sufficient for tho utmos.' operations of tho Canal. And hero 1 beg leave to explain mo?'6 fully tho statements made in the report of tho select committO0 wn'cn reported this bill, in relation to the extent nnd vnlno oi-tho water power which would bo secured to the State for hydraulic- purposes, hy the construction of this Pnnnl. The summit level of the Muhoning Canal, is seven and a half miles long, and descends rnpMly to tho east, over n fall of two hundred and forty-two font, to the lino of the Slain, and westerly to the Ohio &nal, by a fall of more llian ono ono hundred feet. Upon this she 1 lfivel 111 " " u,u uu "," lnnnil. nvni-,lmrrtnl'..1 n,l..'o .. .' itiollS, HlOrO lIlUll fuUf thousand threo hundred and forty cubin of 7a1to,rf!M',r minute during tho Jiiest season of lho year; . v ? Kearney's calculations, a further suppl'- could nt nnv' lime. , obtained from Congress Lake. The calculations of tho , ly promoted by such a result. Leaving ihe main subject, they havo gono.off upon collateral questions, which their ingenuity or crazy imagination i could devise, to assign reasons for their opposition; nnd those, reasons have been as diverso Hnd con trudictory, as Ihe sources from whence they originated. The main argument has been, that this is not the proper time; that it should bo delayed for one year more, to see the operations of the companies incorporated for tho purpose of doing this work, without appeal ing to take mlo consideration, that every year it is delayed will draw from the citizens of ihe State, a sum sufficient lo defray ono fifth of the expense. I his measure has been repentedlv and strongly recom- mended by the Excculivo of tho Slate, and by its public, ugents, who hnve reflected long and deeply upon the subject. And tho btntii of Pcunsylvnnin has not only expressed her willingness toco-operate with Ohio in extending her Canal lo tho lino ol tho htnto, but her deeppohcttudoin tho nccomplisli mcnt of lho objuct sought to be attained by the passngo of this bill. It now devolves upon tho Legislature of Dhio to doterm e whether thev will, by extending her Canal the lur Ihor distanco of about sevonty.fivo miles, undo it with works of a similar character, of more than four hundred miles in extent, nnd thoreby confer upon each other the bennnls ol their respective improvements, lfy so doing wo shall lesson tho distance to the seaboard mora than two hundred miles; free her commerce from unnecessary embarrassment, mono, j poiy ana expense; essentially promote tno great mieresis oi her citizens; elevnte her commercial importance and influence in tho estimation of neighboring States; and instead of re. maining dependent upon, nnd tributary to one alone, w shnll secure to our own Stute the key which will open to the com merce of the whole weatorn country, an earlier and more ready access to the eastern markets: and to the nation, a di. reel nnd expeditious channel for the transportation of supplies and munitions of war, from tho Atlantic, through tho interior of the country, to tho western States, which will be alike safe making this inquiry. In aunver in which, some ot the principal ,0 caj n: l- i. I I:. ..I .1.-. .,' .1.- I.I ..... I OailKera 'lull npuniisin rejllien, llllli II IIOI e-llio: wouo, pri niinn and pli'dgn, hy.nc( of ihe Legislature, rci uiu specific tourer of rn venue until ihn Canal should be completed and in oppralion, and .l.n nli.l n f !., u I, ..In nnii..in.t j ,if ilu tulle iwl F.oilfl Tur the SOPIiri'V ofthe payment ofthn intero-t and final redemption of the principal, j I'llioH IH'JJOsiiorj'j that Ihe sums required ronld bo obtained at six per cool, on such "S1HREE doors south ol (ho Niiuonnl Ho-pledgos. I will hero reli-r to some of theso answers, for th- pur- , B;. '. '''' directly opposito the pnhl.o posn'of. homing how important, hey consUier.d IV'd iSItlS:- I"' "f 7 in procuring " " " V '"" l"'K- M ,H , nwl , whioh ,h,Y ,r8 10 Od, ill tho vohimo or Ohin (.anal I locutnenis. Lxtraets, worn I (J oun(,r (1,iie Uion jn Hllnrt. here rend, trom various bankers in New urk in reply m Icliera I m) j u LRIST, JiftnL addrossod tn thorn by the Canal Commissioners.) It will readily i n,s.i 5, o.li it) I,a .Ann limv nmnli snlmnna mil nlnil l,u I'insO Pn oi III I islM lltlon ' snecific'nledi'es of curtain sources of revenue, and nf the loll nfOOLUMB'JU INSURANCE the Canal, in addition to the general plodgo of tho faith of (!iC Stale for the payment of tho debt. They state, that this kind ol security would hu required, in give stability to tho stock in mar ket that it would enhance its value in the estimation ot moneyeu men, and, consequently, it would insure to Jho State better oilers for the loan. This correspondence was all laid before a succeeding Leghhiture, nnd an act was passed, in conformity to ihn now, anil Hiuirostioiu of those bankers, upon whose aid the State was depending for securing her loans. A part of ono section of this acl, I beir leave to rotor to. Sec. 5. 'I hat for tho payment of interest, and tho anal re :.tiiy. charter perpetual. rBlHK piilihn are respemtiilly notified (hut il the Columbus Iti-oMnce Company, oou-tiuue to luaku Insurances agiunt LOSS OR DAMAGE At the lowest rules of premium. The Com-uany ei peel tn do business nn nt favorahlo terms .is any ulhnr siuulur imti'ulinn, and by , ., i J ., r .ii i ' the uiiuoii 1'iirii ami iioeiauiy in uu ineir demptton of (he principal of lho sums ,,r money to bo. borrowed , metj, , pHlrollBe'KI,a dervo under the provision nf this act, ihorn shall ba and are hereby ,h. cliu,,.,lt,e f ,he public. irrcvocaiuy piougeit anunopropriaieu, on tno nou proceeiiaoi iuu.i Qiliso in the Cuimling llnom or 1. W. collected on lho Canals herein described, and of the rents and )e,,r) wheto prompt attention will b proum oi an noras anu privileges ooiiueuioo wuu, or iippi iuiiune; given to uu applications. to said Cannls. and bclonffiii2 to tho Stale," &.C "and the faith of lho State is herohv pledged, that tho tnx hereby levied shall not bo a)lernu! or reduced, so a to impair tho security hereby nled"cd for the navuient nf nitcrost, nnd tho final redemption of the principal nfihuiiims to be borrowed hy virtue of lliis acl ; nud that nu lax shall ever ho levied by the Legislature, or under tho authority of this Slate, on the stock lo bo created by virtue "I I Ins act, nor on the interest which mny be payable then-nti; nmf iir-thrr, that thn t.ifne nf the tiwt tlork thall i;i mi iciae be imjiuirrd by nn; fre-isiilitw art of n't Slnte." Clothed wilh this authority, and with this act in their hands, tho ('anal Kund Commissioners went iulo the mont'V market, nnd obtained their loans on lb" tnosl favorahlo terms, and is-ued Ihe stock of tho Slnte, which has been selling in market, an. I n-ing in vuluo ever since, in ennsoquenen ot the auiplo security winch had been thus irrevocably given hy law for the payment of ihe interest and reimbursement ot the principal, by men spucihc pledges. Ity tuihseqiiPnt act nt legislation, this security hat been unpaired, and lho original tonus nf the contract, under which the loans were nbluined, infringed upon; and thn failh nf tht State, thus solemnly pledged In her creditors, broken nnd held for nnught. Can thin he right! Can it ha equitable! Is it not con- trarv to the Constitution nf cur State, winch declare, thal'Mo (aw impmrin Ihe validity ol contract! ihnll fvrr be mailt ! Nn one will prelend, that injustice is not dona tn tho holders ul the stock of the Stato, or that the faith of the State has not been broken. Does not thit stale of thingi require the UVo.'ivu action ofthe legislature! And whut other remedy can be applied more eq iitsU'1 than th' provision! of the bill now under consideration! i he rrint to one Company, which ha gone mlo operation and completed her work, l. W. UKSHLF.R, Sec. pro tem. Sept. Ill, IHU 3 To Si'vt'rMiiiillis. A Complete set of SI I-V K Kd.Vl ITII and A. WVrCIUMKKrVS Tools for sale. Inquire at the Store of P. II. OloMSTED. Columbus, Oct. llOt. 5tf 50 b.ixcs f'nncy Shaving Soap t) do VnriegiiUd do SO do Hositi do 'r'ot sale hy oiit.iiuuu at uit,r.iruK Den S I Bags Pepper Id ri't Since I tlhl. Nulmega I dn (iiugiir I do Cloves SO Mats Cassia, Just received by SHF.RWOOI) k GREGORY lenember I anu secure trom mo uangers ot mo L,nKo iiavigau.Hi, m ". .. ttp.aiv blVn of llt ,,0 pr,flnt es.ion. Another ol pence, nnd Irom the assaults and interruptions oi a wreiB'M Company has beon two years in progress, and has ex-ndod larg. power, in time of wnr. sums of money under the expectation of rtceivmg tins lieuefin ul FissSi. 10 BMs Mackerel 9 do Salmon 7 nn "Cinriscticiit River" Shad ;V) Rixes Hernnir ft Q'linlnlsCodhsh For snlo hy SHER WOOD it GREGORY . Dec 5 |
Format | newspapers |
LCCN | sn84028621 |
Reel Number | 00000000021 |
File Name | 0923 |