tion impossible. Though a few bold men, mostly from the West, advocated a government road, this idea prevailed. The growth of railways in the West, where lay the unclaimed public domain, makes the point of contact between railways and government which characterizes these years. CHAPTER VIII GENERAL INTERNAL IMPROVEMENT FUNDS As price cannot long be less than sufficient to cover the expenses of producing most commodities, but tends to equal such expenses, so, in the long run, the attitude of the people and of Congress towards internal improvements in general and railways in particular tends to correspond to the necessity or expediency of such improvements; at any one time, however, adventitious factors and sentiments may make them "popular,' or bring them into disfavor. THE YEAR 1825: FACTORS MAKING FOR INTERNAL IMPROVEMENTS In the year 1825, internal improvements were exceedingly popular. New York had just completed the Erie Canal, thus arousing pangs of jealousy and inciting emulation on the part of her sister commonwealths. Government aid to the states in prosecuting systems of transportation was in high favor in most localities, such opposition as was made proceeding upon constitutional grounds. Again, the country had recently recovered from the panic of 1819-20. The national credit stood high, both agriculture and manufactures were flourishing, and a tendency toward optimism arose. The public debt, too, was fast decreasing, and at the * The present chapter takes up the subject at the time railways begin to be considered. That there were earlier developments should be borne in mind. When Ohio was admitted in 1802, 5 per cent. of the net proceeds of the sales of public lands within her borders was set aside as a fund for constructing roads and canals, and similar funds were established for other western and southern states. In 1817, the celebrated Bonus Bill proposed to distribute the amount paid by the United States Bank for its charter among the states. In 1818 it was resolved in the House that Congress had power to appropriate for canals, roads and waterways; and in 1819 Calhoun reported in favor of a general system of internal improvement along the lines proposed by Gallatin in 1808. beginning of 1825 amounted to only $79,000,000. This sum would soon be paid off, and a surplus arise. John Quincy Adams, beginning his administration at this time, made a national system of internal improvement his one great policy. In 1825 the House committee on roads and canals concluded its report on internal improvement in these words: "We can never expect to see a more propitious period than the present to commence the internal improvement of the country, on a scale worthy of the importance of the subject; the prospect of a long peace lies before us, and there seems to be nothing else of high interest to engage the councils of the Union Now this same report contains a reference to railways, and in the first chapter evidence has been presented to show that at exactly this time Congress was considering the same subject. In England the railway was applied to general commerce in a practical way in 1825, and this country was stimulated to similar projects. Lest it be thought that the significance of railways at this time has been exaggerated, the following resumé of articles referring to the subject has been taken from a single newspaper for a single year, 1825: The English run wild to invest their capital, the prevailing "notion" (!) being that steam railroads are more expeditious and cheap than canals.3-$70,000,000 are already invested in English railway stocks!-It is calculated that upon a railway having considerable traffic, merchandise may be transported at 2 d. per ton per mile, and passengers at 1⁄2 d. per mile.-The London Courier says concerning Minister Rush, that "the American government has possessed itself, through its minister, of the improved mode of constructing and making railroads, and there can be no doubt of their immediate adoption throughout that country." An English journal is quoted at length showing the advantages of railways over canals. A similar notice appears in which it is 1 Rep. of Com., 1824-25, II, No. 83, p. 14; Niles' Register, XXVIII, 95. 2 Ibid., p. 4. stated that merchandise may be conveyed on railways more rapidly than on canals, and at one-fourth of the cost."-The legislature of Pennsylvania is considering making an experimental railway at Harrisburg, and a locomotive is now constructing for the same.-An account of the opening of the Stockton & Darlington railway is given.-An English railway is described, and a quotation given to the effect that a railway from Albany to Schenectady would be useful and profitable." All these considerations make it clear that from about 1825 on, the congressional histories of internal improvements and of railways are one. BILLS AND RESOLUTIONS FOR AN INTERNAL IMPROVEMENT FUND 1. Railways not specifically mentioned On December 22, 1824, Mr. Johnson (La.) submitted a resolution in the Senate the main idea of which was that the public lands should be appropriated and pledged as a permanent fund. for education and internal improvement.10 This fund derived from land sales was to be invested in United States Bank stock, government stock, or other stock, as Congress might direct; the proceeds were to be distributed among the states according to their ratios of representation, one-half for education, "and the other half shall constitute a fund for internal improvement, to be applied to these objects under the authority of the respective states." This resolution was not carried.11 A few days later Mr. Stewart (Penn.) offered a similar resolution in the House.12 He referred to ample revenues and the flourishing condition of national finance, growth of population, increase of internal trade, and vast extent of territory, and proposed that a bill be reported pledging the proceeds of land Ibid., p. 191. Ibid., XXIX, 35. 8 Ibid., p. 184. Ibid., p. 403 (Feb. 1826). 19 S. J., 1824-25; Niles' Register, XXVII, 270. From another standpoint, this and similar measures are equivalent to land grants for internal improvements. 11 Dec. 25, 1824; discussed and laid on table for the present. 12 Dec. 28. see, H. J., 1824-25, p. 87; Niles' Register, XXVII, 286. This resolution was ordered to lie on the table to be printed. |