Crawfordsville Record, Volume 4, Number 30, Crawfordsville, Montgomery County, 19 December 1835 — Page 2

C&A WFGRDSVILLE RECORD.

being developed by the surveys already made, it was thought advisable, while the necessary force was in tho field, to rim an experimental line of levels from While river, at or near the mouth of Eel river, to the Wabash at Terrehaute a distance of about forty miles the result of which has satisfied the engineers and board that the Wabash ! i ! tin . i

time is not far distant when it will be found jcan 0niiea Willi V DUG river anu tint the capital is entirely insufficient for the j the Ohio, at Evansvillc, at COtnparrapidly increasing business and population of ativclv a small expense.

our bidiu. muee,, in wine oi me uu nci Th(J ,aw of thc

me ucnciency is aireauy ieu anu acunowieug-;

cd. It has generally been thc practice in banking institutions to have some of their transactions based upon the deposites entrusted to them, and in that way such funds,

by filing the release of the major part of the landholders on the line, with the secretary of state. The operations of the state bank through the branches have had a most healthful and beneficial influence on the enterprise and various pursuits cf our citizens, and to an extent grealer, it is believed, than had been predicted by its friends. These accommodations have been extended to every class of our citizens as far as the resources of the institution under its charter would iustify ; experi

ence has already satisfied the officers that the

instead of remaining idle, are actively env

ployed. When you shall have examined the

reports, which will be laid before you by thc

session, au

thorizing the several survevs and estimates for railways and turnpike roads, under thc direction of thc governor, has been executed as regards the field operation; and the

necessary estimates and drawings

officers of the bank, you will find that there j arc jn a gtate of forwardness

.s a large average amount in aeposues, irom tQ ajjow tIlc supcrilltCllclms oQimdividuais, in each branch. But in conse- . , r rwK;i;i;n i, rWtPr. cer to present his report in a lew

of these

111 11 1 Uvll

these lare sums are of no service to thc in- days. 1 he creat length

diyiduals, to the bank, nor to thc public. It j surveys , traversing a large portion is believed this limitation in the charter only j of a ' ( j cxlcnding in lengln wrrps trt rfsfrirt Iho h.ink in lis aC.COmniOUa- r O p

tions and business without any corresponding advantage, as the public are abundantly secured against all danger of overtrading in the bank, by that clause which limits their issue of paper to twice the amount of the capital paid in. Indeed it is difficult to see how any damage can accrue in permitting thc bank to loan as far as it has the means, provided the restrictions remain as to tho issue of paper. Many banking institutions in other slates, where such restrictions do not exist, allosv a small interest on deposites, on which business transactions are based. Such a

to upwards of seven hundred miles, suggested the necessity of adopting such measures as would bring the requisite lorccs into the field as ear

ly as the month of April; and as there were no gentlemen of acknowledged skill in railroad engineering unemployed in the western country, assistance was sought from the Atlantic states. For that pur

pose, Caleb 15. Smith, esqwas re

course wouia can in large sums uuw luacuMj, i i i

and induce many to save and depositc a por-i K,.' , , r.wv, . ""'"S. tion of their earnings. For our canal fund City, before the adjournment of

deposited m New York, a bann of that city is congress, with letters to our dclega-

paying four per cent., but, wUuq this unusu-

tion, requesting them to unite in an

im ii ii imi mi in ii r i n n in i' v i.m. iiui i iu i -

taitatote us to wlud. rorci!1,ll'l'cauo.o .he war .lr,.,.ent hanks are doing. or ll)G necessary number of officers, The incentive offered to agricultural enter- j and ill the CVCllt that the request prise by the law of the last session providing j (or tj,0 assis(ancc should not be C0U1for the appointment of members of a state j . , . . board of agriculture, and for the organization P1' Vltl " authorized to go of auxiliary county associations,! am glad to 'into the adjoining States and Cttl-

say, is like to accomplish all the good the ad- j ploy such a number ol engineers as

would ensure die completion of the

vocates of the measure promised tjiemsclves

In most of the counties the agitation of the subject has excited a spirit of emulation and

competition which has already caused ttie in

work in time for the present session

The application at Washington was

ed lor thc purpose. The work re

quiring at least four separate parties, Mr. Smith entered into a written agreement with col. Stansberry, herewith submitted,authorisini him as the superintending officer, to organize four parties, including the two assistants promised by the secretary of war, the state paying him twodollars& fifty cents per day. In pursuance ol this agreement, col, Stansberry proceeded in the organization of the several parties; but in consequence of the secretary oi war subsequently declining to detail the assistants, without assigning any

reason for it, he, col. Stansberry,

troduction of many fine specimens of stock, met by ail assurance from the SCC

seeds, and implements of husbandry Such j rct of war (hat CQ, gtansucTy examples will hardly ful to have a bcnclicial , f :etnnta k .i,;i

influence on the agricultural pursuits ot the l,,uu"1JUUUS) UU1" uuutmu

country. Under the provision of a law of the last session, the canal commissioners were directed to procure examinations, surveys and estimates, to be made upon several proposed routes for canals, and submit the results to the legislature at tire commencement of its present session, with the view of furnishing you proper data for tho adoption of a judicious system of internal improvement for the slate. To accomplish so much within the time prescribed, the board found it necessary, immediately, to procure the services of competent gentlemen having tho advantage of practical skill in the science of civil engineering. Accordingly a member of tho board engaged the services

of Dr. Whippo of Pennsylvania, of

Mr.Goodwm of Illinois, and capt. CJeaveland of Ohio, whose well established reputations and experi

ence as scientific and practical engineers, gave tho strongest assurances of their qualifications. Whilst this preparation was making, the chief engineer, Mr. Williams, as early as April went to the field, and in furtherance of the work made several experimental lines. The examinations commenced and progressed with the greatest industry, until their progress was arrested by sickness, which, for a time, threatened the success of the work.

Although the estimates are, as yet, incomplete, I am gratified in

being able to say that enough is known to satisfy us that the route from the Wabash canal, by the way

of the Mississiniway and White

rivers to Indianapolis, and thence

down the valley of White river, by the way of Princeton to the Ohio river, at Evansvillc, is not only practicable, but of easy and cheap construction. The same is also ascertained as regards the continuation ol the route from Lafayette to Terrehaute. The proposed route from this place, by the Driftwood

fork of White river, to Jctlersonville, after a careful examination, has been (bund to be too doubtful and expensive to be undertaken. The facility and cheapness of the line, from the seat of government to Evansville, having been satisfactorily ascertained, and other facts relative to the topography of the state

These surveys have been necessarily expensive; but it is believed that the fund of accurate topographical information that has been obtained as to a very considerable portion of the state, and of its susceptibility of improvement, will be invaluable as thc basis of subsequent legislation. Justice and inclination require me to say that col. Stansberry, the officers commanding the parties, and their assistants, have performed their several duties with a zeal

and ability that command my entire confidence and approbation. Believing the measure well calculated to advance the best interests of the slate and one that public sentiment called for, I deemed it my dutv, at the last session of the legis

lature, with some earnestness, to urge the propriety of adopting a well digested plan of internal improvement. It was then contended that the construction of public works, on a scale that would benefit every portion of the state, was within the reach of proper efforts

that our sister states, whose examples were most successful, commenced under circumstances less favorable than ours that whilst the state can command any desirable

amount of capital at five per cent.

interest, it would be our true policy

to promote such improvements as will prove beneficial to the country and yield a profitable return for the investment that such a course

would not impoverish thc stale nor

tho people, but would enrich both:

and that any increased taxation for a liniCjto meet the interests on loans, would be more than counterbalan

ced by the increased business, en

tcrprise and wealth. 1 he experience derived from thc work in which we are engaged, and the prosperous condition of other stales, have confirmed me in the correctness of the opinions heretofore advanced, and I again recommend the subject to your favorable consideration. The examination made the past summer, by the canal and railroad

engineers, will putyou in posessionof

such facts and information in reference to tho several routes, and of the susceptibility of the general face of our territory, as will allow you to act advisedly in the selections you

may make. Of thc several kinds of

improvements proposed, U is behev

cd that of canals should have pref

fort, monuments of public spirit and enterprise, and objects of just pride and exultation with thc people. These triumphant successes have settled the question as to the practicability and utility ot public works, and encouraged by these examples, our citizens have manifested their willingness to enter with spirit upon a system that will contribute not less to their own prosperity, than to thc credit of the state. If, after you shall have had a full and free conference on the subject, you agree with me in the opinion, that public policy, public interest,

and public sentiment, require of

you a liberal expenditure in the improvement of the condition ot the slate and of the people, it will be

for your better judgment to deter

mine the extent of thc investment:

I will not, however, withhold thc o-

pinion, that you may safelv expend

the amount of ten millions without

calling on the present or future generations for the pavment of any

portion of the principal under the

process of taxation. But to sustain

an enterprise of such magnitude, a suitable provision should bo made for thc payment of the interest on the capital, one million of which would be needed the first vear,and

about an equal sum, annually, until

the work should be finished, The

additional revenue required to mee the interests on the loan would in

crease the whole amount of tax

now paid by our citizens, one half

that is, he who now pavs one dol-

lar would have to pay the further

sum of fifty cents each year.

looncwiionas not looked into

the process by w hich this fact is as

ccriamcd, it may appear strange that so small an increase in the rate of taxation will meet the interest on

so laroe a sum. It is nevertheless

certain that an addition of one hal

on the present and annual increase in lands and other property, with

m the tolls that will be coming in af

ter thc first few years, will be amply

sufficient. Of the vast increase

property liable to taxation, some idea may be obtained by comparing our population of 317,000, in 1830, with our present number of not less than 600,000; we have unerring evidence that the 4,050,000 acres of land returned for taxation last year, will be increased to 8,000,000 in 18 JO.

Relying on the correctness of

was obliged then to select others to supply their places. The several

parties were' organized and reached their place of destination the lat

ter part of April and the first week

in May. The one upon the Law-

renceburgh line was conducted by

Mri Adams of Connecticut; the one

on the Madison and Lafayette line

bv col. Schenck of New York; the

one on the Evansville line by Mr.

Collins of Baltimore; and the one

on the New Albany and Crawfords-

ville line by Mr. Watts of Pennsylvania, the whole acting under the orders of col. Stansberry. The party under Mr. Adams reached this place in August, and was preparing for the survey of the Columbus and Jefferson ville route, when, in conse

quence of sickness among its officers, it was disbanded. That route was then confided to Mr. Coyle,

the second officer under Mr. Collins

for which purpose a new party was

organized. Col.Schenck termina-

ted his examinations at Lafayette in October. Major Watts closed the survey of the New Albany and Crawfordsville route, and commenced his examination on tho NewAlbany and Vincennes road, when

jits progress was interrupted by the

lamented death ol his assistant, Mr. Paul, and soon alter he was so much disabled by sickness as to make it necessary for him to abandon the field. The party under Mr. Collins, after closing its operations at

Terrehaute, returned to Vincennes, and finished thc survey of the New Albany line to thc termination of the survey by major Watts.

these estimates, one inquiry onlv

erenco over railways or turnpike remains to be made, and that is, will

roads, on the ground that canals are our citizens cheerfully pay the small cheaper, more permanent, and bet- additional tax? Or, in other words, ter adapted to the convenience and should the state, by a wise policy, habits of the people, and to the open a market, with increased pricharacter and products of the state, ces for produce and wages of every But in designating the several bran- kind, will they pay a cent or two dies or parts of a general and con- for each additional dollar thus put nccted plan, should you adopt one, into their pockets? Of this you can you will find that in consequence best determine, of the peculiar shape or formation If, after yonr mature cxaminaof the surface of the state, it must tions of the subject, you think it adembrace in its parts a combination visablo to embark, 1 beg leave ear-

of canals, railways and turnpikes, nestly to remind you of the policy each having a beginning, connec- and necessity of organizing a board

tion with, or termination, at the ol public works, with all needlul lake, the Wabash canal, or the O- powers to plan and carry on the hio river the Wabash canal con- improvements authoriseds

stituting the main artery or trunk In my laslannual comtinication I

of thc plan. And in discriminating noticed the very laudable exertions between the relative value of each of the Lawrenceburgh and Indian-

proposed work, that which will ac- apolis railroad company, and it is commodate the greatest amount of with pleasure that I have since wit-

population, commerce and business nessed the zeal and perseverance

generally should be adopted. That with which they have commenced

of making a selection is a duty their work, giving satisfactory evi-

within the province and sound dis- dence of their determination to ac

cretion of the legislature; therefore complish the enterprise. The route the task of making an executive is destined to constitute a link in the recommendation is relinquished, great line of proposed railway from

not entirely on account of its delica- Charleston, South Carolina, to the cy and responsibility, but because Ohio river at Cincinnati, and to the

the reports to he made by thc en- lake. 1 his public spirited associa-

ginecrsarc not yet so complete as tion of our fellow citizens do not in

to allow an examination and time tend to press their equal claims to for a decision. pecuniary aid from the state. They

Thc first steps in most of the im- ask her to take no share in the

portant works undertaken hove met work; but they ask that from her

with opposition from those who en- which can be granted in safely and

tcrtained fears ol taxation, bank- to the great service of thc public.

ruptcv and ruin, but of all the public They desire her to give them ered

works in other states, there are none it to the amount of $500,000,vhich

that have been abandoned, or that they will satisfactorily secure by the i i i i i "

have proved burdensome or unpop- most vaiunoio landed property in

ular with the people, even under the the state, of fixed and convertible

highest rale of taxation; on the value, in double the sum, to be se

contrary, they have uniformly be- cured at thc expense of thecompa

come sources of wealth and com-1 ny, and as may bo directed. O

their ability to do this, without thc shadow of danger to thc state, I am convinced from my own knowledge

ot thc estates ol the members ot tho company, and, therefore, cheerfully

recommend their reasonable request to the consideration of the legislature.

Not intending to elicit any action

on your part at this time, but for thc

nformation as well as the gratifica

tion of the members of the lecisla-

ure, I lay before you two pamplrets with thc proceedings of the citi

zens of Cincinnati and Charleston

outh Carolina; and, also, the mes

sages of tho governors of Georgia I 1t.i i l! n r i-i

unu iorui vurouna, an oi wnicii are in reference to die construction ol a railroad from Cincinnati to thc city of Charleston. Considering that

this is the nearest and most direct

route to the seaboard,every step that may be taken to render it available, cannot but become a matter of deep

erest to the people

of Indiana.

The law of last session, providing for a

change in our revenue system, does not require the clerks of the several counties to

report the returns of the assessors to the auditor of state before the first day of December, consequently I am not able to present you with a view of the result of the valuations. From the best information I can obtain, however, it is believed that the dis

parity anticipated in the v alue of real estate, in thc old and new districts of the state,does not exist. If, upon a compaiison of all the returns, this opinion shall be found to be correct, there can be but little reason to question the policy or justice of a change. The expenses of our state government have been hitherto borne, principally, by the landholders, while other large, and generally much more productive, investments of capital have contributed little or noihin" to the. state treasury. Although some of our citizens object to thc number of articles included? in thc law, it is confidently believed it can? be so shaped as to render it agreeable to their views particularly when they see that the tax upon land will be reduced in proportion to the amount that i3 charged upon other subjects of taxation such property as now pays nothing, and which can only be brought in by the change proposed. No good and satisfactory reason can be assigned why capital invested in town properly, bank stock, merchandise, or money at interest, should net be subject to the same rate of laxution as an equal amount invested in land.

1 here is to be found in the legislation of several of the late sessions of the general'

assemuiy,a ueparuire trom general rule and analogy, from which evil may arise, and which.

is at war witii mat principle in our government which requires that the operations of

all the laws shall be equal and general. I allude to the want of uniformity in the or

ganization of our courts doing county busi-

ncss; to me moues or appointing township officers; and to thc civil jurisdiction of justices of the peace. In some counties justices of the peace transact county business, in othcrs, that duty is performed by commissioners elected for that purpose. In some instances, township officers are chosen by the people, in others they are appointed by the courts doing county busine?s. In some counties justices of the peace have civil iu-

risaicuon inrouguoui me county; in others they arc restricted to the townships in which they reside, with, perhaps, a stream or ideal line for its boundary. These and similar examples should be arrested, and the one or the other principle should prevail. Our laws should be equal and uniform, resulting from

that compromise of opinion outof which have

grown the best principles of our republican

form ot government; and particularly that which declares that in legislation thc majori-

y snail rule In a casual conversation with a gentleman astyearin the service of the United States.

I learned, that in making some geological

examinations near the line of the National

road, he had discovered indications of coal'

and other valuable minerals, which determined me to suggest the propriety of a geo

logical anu lopograpmcai survey ot the stafe with a view of looking into her mineral- vvealth and resources, and also of publishing, undef the sanction of the legislature-, a correct map. But as our new territory had not then been, subdivided into counties, and brought under

civil jurisdiction, the recommendation was1 postponed. The objection having been removed by the legislature of last winter, I respectfully recommend the subject to your, consideration. In all countries where min

eral deposites have been f discovered they have

occomc leacimar items ot commprw nn

- W UAV wealth. In the mountain districts of Penn

sylvania, Virginia and Maryland, their irons

coal, marble, and gypsum will be thc chief articles of commerce and of support to the

public worus. I'romthe many indications and discoveries made, we have much reasoiv

to believe that this state abounds in suchde posites: but without the aid and application of geological science they'will never be per--111 .-N.. ...

iecny developed, bhould you think the measure advisable, the surveys for the two. purposes can be confided to the same head or that for geological purposes can be conducted alone. By an act of Congress of March, 1808, the sum of two hundred thousand dollars was annually applied to the manufacture of arms for the militia of the several states Since this state came into the Union, near four million dollars have been expended under that act. The quota of arms allotted to Indiana, under the general distribu

tion anions the states, has. as vet been