The Enquirer

FOR THE ENQUIRER.
Expedients for executing the system of Internal Communication, which has been already disclosed by the writer on Public Roads.
The general plan for establishing the most important public roads is now completed. Having admitted, that even a partial execution, would require the expenditure of a great deal of money, it now behoves me to shew from what sources necessary funds may be derived. I know that it would be a vain effort to urge arguments in favour of enlarging the ordinary revenue. The unfortunate jealousy which exists as to eastern and western interests, supported by the just complaints of the latter concerning their representation in the senate, will, I fear, prevent an union even in this all important question.
But even if this jealousy did not exist, I should not, as relates to this subject, recommend an alteration in the existing revenue : because I believe that necessary funds may be obtained, by means which will neither damp the spirit of industry, nor add aught to the oppressions of the poor. To this end the following recommendations are submitted to public notice and decision.
First. The establishment of public half yearly Lotteries, to raise 50,000 dollars per annum, & to authorize no others until this object is accomplished.
Secondly. The appropriation of the Merchant Tax and the Dividends of the Bank of Virginia, after paying the public instalments. About four years will be sufficient to extinguish the debt due to the bank: after that is done, it will be reasonable to expect, that the Merchant Tax (constantly increasing) with the dividends on the bank shares, will produce, annually, 100,000 dollars.
Thirdly. A tax on riding carriages, to commence upon those which will cost 200 dollars and upwards, and to be increased in an advancing ratio, according to the actual value or cost of each : that is, all carriages which cost between 200 and 300 dollars to pay 10 per cent on their cost or value : all which cost between 300 and 400 dollars to pay 20 per cent on their cost or value: all which cost between 400 and 500 dollars to pay 30 per cent on their cost or value : all which cost between 500 and 600 dollars to pay 40 per cent on their cost or value : all above 600 dollars to pay 50 per cent on their cost or value. In this way those who use carriages for convenience, would have no cause of complaint, while others would be obliged to pay according to their wealth or extravagance.
Fourthly. A tax on horses which are used, for the most part for pleasure; this ought to be regulated by the numbers which were supported by one individual or family, agreeable to a ratio like the following, viz : for one horse 10 dollars, for two 20 dollars each, for three 30 dollars each, for four 40 dollars each, &c. In this instance as in the former, the tax would be paid by the most wealthy or the most extravagant.
Fifthly. A tax on dogs, beginning low on the first and advancing something in the same manner.
The taxes on carriages, horses and dogs will no doubt excite murmurs, but the legislature, when about to vote, should weigh the consequences of that discontent, with the benefits which society will derive, either by providing powerful succours to establish useful roads, or by destroying that social injury, which is produced by a competition in the splendour and value of equipages. Even those upon whom the tax would fall most heavily, would be consoled in the advantages which they would receive in having good roads. A rich ostentatious man might be highly gratified in boasting, that he had eight or ten hundred dollars a year in taxes upon his carriages, horses and dogs.
Sixthly and lastly : It is recommended to lay a tax upon every species of gaming ; beginning with those games or sports, which are most fashionable. The keeper of a public race ground ought to pay at least 1000 dollars a year for the privilege of suffering races on his ground. The keeper of a faro bank or any similar game, ought to pay as much, and perhaps more. The keeper of a Billiard Table as much. The keeper of a tavern or other house of entertainment, two, three or four hundred dollars for the liberty of permitting gaming in his house ; and so on, modifying the tax every game and sport, according to its tendency.
It is believed that the tax on games & sports, without the aid of the other resources, which have been recommended, will, in the course of a short time, produce a sufficient sum to complete the several roads which have been recommended.
There is no doubt that much opposition and many plausible arguments will be offered to oppose these taxes. But the proper question to each legislator is this, whether the inconvenience or impropriety as relates to those who will be compelled to pay them, will be equal to the daily inconvenience and positive injury proceeding from circuitous roads which are frequently impassable.
Such are the resources which are deemed sufficient to carry into effect this vast and necessary plan; a plan which will require the expenditure of several millions of dollars, but which will unite all parts of this state by easy and permanent communications, and will tend greatly to abolish the jealous and injurious distinctions between eastern and western interest,-yet if the Legislature shall think fit to derive additional aids from a temporary toll on such parts of the plan, as may from time to time be executed : then the system of improvement will be carried more rapidly into execution, and every inhabitant of every part of this country will be blessed with the lasting advantage of having a good and permanent road near to his residence. which will not only urge him to industry, but also, will increase his wealth, happiness and attachment to his country.