Semi-Weekly Journal, Volume 3, Number 237, Indianapolis, Marion County, 14 July 1841 — Page 2

"semi-weekly jocjuival.

IWPIAXAPOLIS; f WEDNESDAY JULY 14, 1841. MARION COUNTY NOMINATIONS. The Whigs of this couutv held a Convention on Saturday, April 24, at which the following uominanations were made: Representatives Israel Harping and Austin W. Morris. Treasurer and Collector Jacob Landis. Recorder James-Turner.-Auditor John W. Hamilton. Assessor John M'Collum, Commissioner, -1st district Harris Tyner, Election on first Monday, 2d of August next.

PUBLIC SPEAKING. A. W. Morris, a candidate for Representative of Marion county, will address his fellow citizens at the Upper Market on, Saturday at 3 o'clock P. M.

' THE AUGUST ELECTION. For a few days past we have received cheering

intelligence from the country of the prospects of

the Whig ticket. In almost every township Hie friends of the Administration will vote as they did last year, the entire ticket. And why should they not? Admitting, as some contend, that the whigs are not, in any degree, bound to support the nominations of their party, are not those nominees, in the present instance equal, aye, superior in every point of qualifications, to their opponents? Hold up those composing the ticket, one by one, scan closely and critically his claims and his qualifications, and then those of his opponent and who will not say that with perhaps one or two exceptions, the Whig candidates are not greatly superior to their opponents? Then, why not support them, warmly and ardently?

From the tenor of the press in the south-west and south, we should judge that the appointment of Judge Huntington is as unfavorably received in those quarters as it is in the centre, north, &c.

IQFor late and interesting intelligence from Washington City, see letters from our correspondents.

George Burton Thompson, a Senator from the old district composed of the counties of Perry, Spencer, and Crawford, has resigned his seat, By the last apportionment, he and Mr. Roberts, a Senator from Warrick, &c, were thrown into the same district. MISSISSIPPI AND INDIANA. These

States have both failed to pay the interest on the debts due on the 1st inst. The New York American says: "There is this difference, however, to be noted between them, that whereas Mississippi has not even made an effort to preserve her faith and good name, Indiana has only failed to do so through an unwise restriction imposed upon her fund commissioner, not to hypothecate the stock. The limits of which alone the stock could be sold, rendered it unsaleable in the market, and as it could not be pledged for a temporary loan, the money to pay her interest could not be had. But, weepeat, she has proved her regard to good faith by imposing taxes to meet the interest on her debt, and otherwise appropriating funds thereto." The attention of the reader is called to the letter of our Commissioner, Gov. Noble, in another column, on the subject of Indiana's failure to meet the July interest.

Medical Department of Transylvania Univer-situ.-The Trustees of this justly celebrated in

stitution, thus speak of their new Professor of

Theory and practice:

"After mature deliberation, the honorable Board

of Trustees made choice of Elisha Bartlett,

M. D.. of Lowell, in Massachusetts, long known

to the medical world, as a writer and teacher, of

a hizh order. The readers of the American Jour

nal Of Medical sciences are aware that his name

is first on the list of collaborators for that celebrated periodical. Professor Parker, (now of the

New York University, but formerly of the Cin

cinnati Medical College,) known as a popular, teacher, affirms of Dr. Bartlett; 'that there is not

a more suitable man in America, for our vacant

chair." '

WaiHIngion Correspoiidenee. Washington, July 5, 1841. Gentlemen-The city is all bustle and confusionsoldiers parading Sunday schools marching in procession temperance celebrations speeches orations, and all the usual accompaniments of the A th of July, are the order of the day . The streets are thronged to suffocation all the men, women and children in the district, and all the dust in two states seem-to have congregated in" Pennsylvania'AveniH!.-" The President "gave notice this morning, that his doors would be-open to all comers, from 12 to 3 o'clock; and consequently, during these three hours, an immense crowd filled the rooms, and blocked up the entrance of his house. The House met this morning at the usual hour, and went into committee of the whole on the bill for the distribution of the proceeds of the public lands. Mr. Wise then to k the floor, and favored the House with a '-very moving" speech, in opposition to the bill. It produced the usual effect of his speeches, and in a short time, empty desks were all he had to appeal to. He spoke about three hours, and when he concluded, the House adjourned until to-morrow. The general

opinion is, that the bill, with some amendments,

will pass the House by a close vote all the opposition western Loco-Focos, and all and some

of the southern Whigs voting against it.

The Senate "did not sit to-day. On Friday and

Saturday last, there was an animated debate on

the amendment proposed by Mr. Rives to Mr.

Clay's bank bill, giving, to the States the power

of deciding whether -or not, branches should be

located within their borders. Mr. Archer of Va. made a long and able speech in opposition to the

amendment, during which, he indulged freely in

strictures on the past administration, and on the past course of his colleague Mr. Rives. This called up the last named gentleman, and then followed some sharp shooting some severe remarks and some hard feelings, which however were very happily done away with, through the interference, of friends, by mutually satisfactory explanations. : On Saturday, Mr. Bayard moved to amend Mr.

Rives' amendment, by the substitution of a clause which is a compromise between the two opposing doctrines, as to the constitutional right of locating branches. It provides, that the directors of the Bank shall have the power to establish an agency in any State, with all powers of banking, except the discounting promissory notes; and this power they shall also have, unless the State shall, at the first session of the Legislature, after suck loca

tion, refuse to give her assent. This is a sortot

half way measure, insisting, with Mr. Clay, on

the right of the General Government to establish

branches, but yielding to the States, with Mr.

Rives, the power of restricting the operations of

such branches. It is very doubtful, however,

whether the majority of the Whigs will support

it, and, as the opposition of course will not, it will most probably fail. Mr. Rives' amendment

cannot be adopted, and the general impression

now is, that the bill, as reported by Mr. Clay,

will pass by a majority of one vote, if the Senate should be full. This week, it is supposed, will decide the question.

Mr. Sergeant declines the mission to England,

and it is now currently reported that Mr. Rives is

to take the place on what authority I know not.

Judge Huntington's appointment of Commis

sioner of the General Land Office was confirmed by the Senate on Saturday.

The appointments of C. Cushing of Madison,

as District Attorney for Indiana, and Gen. Robert

Hanna of Indianapolis, as Marshal, were sent to

the Senate on Tuursday, but have not yet been

acted on. They will, no doubt, be confirmed.

.. M.

FOR THE JOURNAL. ' BACKWOODSMAN No. IV. In the present number I promised to show, conclusively, that those who opposed a further progress of our public works would be compelled, ere long, to take open ground in favor of an absolute refusal to pay our State debts contracted for internal improvement purposes. This position is so self-evident, that I deem it entirely useless to bring forward the- arguments I intended,. on the

subject

are finished, from the payment of said interest. 5. That as soon as "the funds can be procured,

the work be let to contractors, payable one half

in money, and the other halt in five per cent.

bonds. 6. That to raise this million of dollars

in money, our property at the East and suspended debt be appropriated, as well as the power to sell six per cent, bonds, if necessary, be given to

our public agents. 7. To sustain the credit of

the State in the payment of intuiest, the whole

CONGRESS. On the 6th inst. in the Senate,

Mr. Rives' amendment to the National Bank

Bill, was voted dovn by the following vote:

VPAS 'VTsssrs. Barrow. Bates. Choale, Merrick,

Phelps, Prentjss, Preston, Rives, Walker, Williams 10. . wavsMmm. Allen. Archer. Benton. Berrien,

X i "- - w . , - , Buchanan, Calhoun, Clay, of Alabama, Clay, of Kentucky, Clayton. Cuthbert. Dixon. Evans, Fulton, Graham, Henderson, Huntington, Kerr, Kingy Linn, McRoberts, Mangum, Miller, Morehead, Mouton, Nicholson, Porter, Sevier, Simmons, Smith, of Con...timii Smith, of Indiana. Southard. Sturgeon,

(Id'blUtf , , ' C Tallmadge, White, Woodbridge, Woodbury, Wright,

Young, On the same day in the House, the distribution bill passed by a vote of 116 to 108. General Jackson had a severe attack of cramp cholic; but by the last accounts he was better, and was considered out of danger.

Washington, July 7, 1841.

Messrs. Douglass &, Noel:

Gentlemen The House last night, about 11

o'clock, after a session of about 13 hours, suc

ceeded in passing the Land Bill. The vote was closer than I expected: it stood 116 for and 108 against it giving it a majority of only eight

votes. The opposition to it was fierce and pow

erful, and it yielded only at the last moment.

The just and manly censure of the whig press in

every part of the Union, produced a most saluta

ry effect upon the House; it stimulated the ma

jority to act promptly and efficiently, as the pas

sage of the important bill above named, clearly

evinces. The Loan bill is now under discussion, and from appearances I begin to flatter myself that the people, will not, hereafter, have any just grounds to complain of tardiness. Very respectfully, &c.

EXTRACT FROM ANOTHER LETTER, DATED Washington, July 6, 1841. Gentl'n. I am happy to inform you that the distribution bill, reported by W. C. Johnson, has this evening passed the House of Representatives. I remain, fcc.

The appointment of Major General Scott has been confirmed.

The effects of a final suspension of our

internal improvements would be so disastrous on the business and prosperity of the State the taxes, even to pay interest, would be so oppressive, under such a state of things, that no other result could possibly follow such a conclusion. The people of Indiana, I am well convinced, are very far from abandoning the idea of a completion of a number of our improvements; but so selfish has been our policy -so disastrous has been the effects of the efforts that have been made to carry on the whole system at once so much money has been expended unprofitably, that those sections of the State that will derive no immediate benefit from our public works are furnished with strong and powerful arguments against any further expenditure of the public money, arid it is indeed true, that we might as well give up at once, if we thought for a moment that the same wasteful extravagance would characterize future opera

tions. But I, for one, have no such idea the

neoDle are now demanding the most rigid econo

my from the hands of their public servants that

spirit of selfishness which prevented a classihca

tion of our public works at the outset has been ... r l . 1

most signally rebuked our unnnisneu woma stand before our eyes as evidences of the folly of our operations, and, with few exceptions, the great desire of our citizens is rather to make the most of our improvements, by husbanding our resources and using every means to sustain the credit of the State, than for a further depreciation of that credit, on which alone we can build any hopes of future operations. During the last two years a vast amount of light has been dispensed amonffst the people. All our errors have been

exposed-the dark as well as the bright side of

the picture has been presented to the people, anu

one step has been taken towards restoring public

confidence, in our ability not only to pay the present interest.on our public debt but, if we can do

this, to complete in a very short time, several of

our unfinished public works. In my last num

ber I mentioned three of the works, which had been designated by the last Legislature, after careful investigation, as those which, under existing circumstances, should be first finished, and also the consequences that would follow such completion, in ..the aertain progress of other works either by State or individual enterprise. The people of Indiana, in reference to internal improvements, may very properly be divided into three classes, and the order of these classes, on the score of benefit, in consequence of the plan of operations, on our public works is directly re

versed from what it would have been had a anferent policy been pursued for it is an undoubt

ed fact, that should we be so fortunate as ever to

have any of our public works completed, the peo

ple most adjacent to those works will be compel

led, for a time at least, to endure the heaviest burdenswitness, for instance, the five cents tax on every hundred dollars worth of property in five counties, which is submitted to by the people, for the sake of the expenditure of barely one hundred thousand dollars on the Madison and Indianapolis Rail Road, and which I conceive to be

the entering wedge of the only policy whicn win pnsure the speedy completion of any of our pub

lic works; and contrary to my expectation I shall

devote the balance of this number in noticing a policy which, if pursued, I have no doubt, will eventuate in the certain completion of many of our public works, and it is to- those who have a disposition and willingness to pay our debts and sustain the credit of our State that I will now address myself. My opinion is, that from the advanced state of the three works mentioned in my last, viz: the Vincennes Road, the White-water canal and Rail Road, it would be bad policy to

procrastinate, for any length of time, either of

these works two millions ot dollars win nnisn them. The interest on these two millions, at 5

per cent, would be one hundred thousand dollars

additional taxation, which I would propose to De

raised from the counties interested in these w(rks,

and that the counties so interested should be de

signaled by the Legislature. My plan is this:

Let it be decided that the three works mentioned

shall be first completed. 2. Let a sufficient sum be appropriated for that object. 3. Let a disinterested Board of Public works be appointed to commence the expenditure of the money on such portions of these works as they may conceive will be of most benefit to the people, and create the greatest amount of revenue. 4. That until these works are completed the counties interested in them pay the interest on the money yet to be expended, and after completion, the first proceeds, after paying all expenses of repairs, &c. &c., to go to the payment of such additional interest thereby relieving said counties, -after the works

of our available means, such as interest on surplus revenue, bank dividends, &c. &c, be first appropriated, and the residue be made up by direct taxation. As I am now speaking to those who are willing to pay our debts, let them be situated where they will, in the State; I cannot possibly see how they can be injured by this plan of operations. Complete these three works and put them in operation, and then add the Wabash and Erie Canal, and we have four hundred miles of roads and canals from which we will be deriving a benefit, and I am very much mistaken if they will not, in one year from the time they are finished, yield at least three hundred thousand dollars of clear revenue to the State. Can any enlightened citizen conceive of the difference which the expenditure of two million dollars will occasion in the condition of Indiana, bowed down and-oppressed as she now is, and the soul-cheering reality that four hundred miles of her public works are in successful operation affording facilities, which are now denied, to the very garden-spot of the West and who can tell the

change the completion of these four hundred miles of public works will create on the face of the country through which they pass. Take the Rail Road for instance. Will any one deny that in the city of Madison alone, double the present amount of revenue will be collected in one year after the road is completed? The same result will take place at Indianapolis. There will also be nearly a proportionate increase in all the towns on the line. Then look at the more than twenty . counties directly interested in the road the increase of revenue will be immense. Independent of the rise of property, the buildings and machinery alone that will be erected in Madison and Indianapolis in two years from the completion of the sum now necessary for that object, and this will be principally effected by the capital of emigrants to the State like results, to a great extent, will follow throughout the whole country. My

friend, Jerry Johnson, on Fall Creek, who is still

living with a prospect of many years, was the

first white man married in Marion county, His

early exploits in 'coon hunting and wagoning

from White-water to Indianapolis, along Indian traces and through mud holes have often been the themes of fire-side conversation. He was among the first to fell the forest, and as a pioneer, to pave the way for the refinements and comforts of the present day. He and his associates brought

with them an adventurous spirit that yielded be

fore no fatigue, and whose march was onwardTwenty short years have created a great change on the face of the country. Farms and villages,-

cities and towns, m that brief period, have sprung

up like, magic on the settlers' ', hunting grounds,

and as a backwoodsman, I appeal to the hardy pioneer, though he may be worn down with toil in clearing up this now beautiful country, whether in pitching; his tent and marking out his course of

future action, he ever dreamed, by any act of his,

of sullying the fair fame of the country he came

to beautify and adorn? No, never! will be the

hearty response. The spirit of enterprise and adventure will again kindle in his eye. And Indiana, as she Was but twenty years ago will stand before him, and he will behold her character and

credit then, and contrast them with the present.

Bv a derangement m the currency she was then

obliged to issue treasury notes to the amount of

five thousand dollars, and some thought the State

was ruined! Bad as is our present situation, this simple fact will show what enterprise and a developement of resources may accomplish. This

debt was soon paid off, and the integrity of Indi

ana remains unsullied. Sol believe it will ever continue to be, if the people remain true to themselves and their best interests, and I venture the prediction, that if Indiana ever repudiates any debt, it will be one which no honorable man would conceive himself bound to ay. Now, will any man doubt, if my plan be pursued, that the credit of the State will be sustained; the million dollars be obtained, and three of our principal works be completed? I think not, when it is considered that our present land-holders

would be making money to give us this million rather than suffer the consequences that would result from a final suspension of our public works. Suppose the people were to decide that the works should stop the next step would be a refusal to pay our taxes State bonds would go down .to a mere song the credit of the State could not be revived, perhaps, during the present age the General Government would be appealed to by the foreign bond-holders to compel hs to pay our debts the General Government not having any agency in creating these debts, might refuse to have any thing to do with the matter the foreign bond-holders would then appeal to their respec-