LETTER XI

REMARKS ON CERTAIN POINTS OF ADMINISTRATION IN DIFFERENT STATES.

You know, my dear Sir, that in regard to a late Envoy from a foreign court, it was cited, as a convincing proof of the amiable, not to say skilful, policy of this gentleman and his wife, soon after their arrival, that they were resolved to be popular; -they were pleased with every thing, "even the road from Baltimore to Washington." I am happy to acknowledge that a "bad eminence" is taken from the road in question; but I believe it still remains with some others in its vicinity. Now, it was, you know, after a winter's excursion over these perilous roads, which are most powerfully described in Milton's narration of Satan's passage through chaos, and which makes a journey over them more dangerous and painful, than a voyage across the Atlantic; that "all smarting with my wounds," I discovered some petulance at the injustice with which we in the east were treated; and the total disregard or oblivion of the peculiar burdens, to which we subjected ourselves for the common advantage. I promised you, when my irritation had subsided and my bruises were gone, that I would make some

remarks on our relative contribution to the public good; without intending to make invidious comparisons, or to vaunt our own merits, which, are owing to those wise views that were designated by our ancestors in their earliest regulations.

This subject involves a consideration of the process for the management of public affairs, in the Eastern states, and will show how this differs from the mode of administration, in other parts of the Union. I have no intention of going into the whole of this; it would require an epistle of tedious minuteness. The plans of the different commonwealths in our national system, are governed by the same general laws, and gravitate to the same centre; and though there is almost as much difference in the size of these bodies, as there is in the planets of our system, yet they all revolve in symmetry and harmony. There is some difference in their mode of action, though there is a great similarity in the result.

The states of New-York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and some others, have raised large funds and carried on extensive schemes of internal improvement; which prove their administrations to be directed by a far-sighted, enlightened policy, the advantages of which will be more and more developed. There is an air of grandeur in these extensive plans of utility, that does honour to the states that adopt them; and many great objects of general advantage are thus attained, that would never be undertaken by individuals. It must be borne in

mind, however, that almost all improvements in these states are made from the state funds, or by chartered companies, who receive a toll in remuneration : and though great objects are effected by clearing rivers of obstructions, by making roads and canals, yet these do not come in every man's way, and the traveller is much oftener impeded there, than in this section, where he finds good roads in every direction.

Some explanation of this sort is necessary, to prevent the eastern states from being considered inferior in public spirit, or liberal policy, to their neighbours. It will be found, on examination, that the taxes annually raised in these states, for three objects, education, roads, and militia-in which the whole nation have an indirect concern, that each state should do its duty-are more in proportion, than are paid in any other state in the Union. It is precisely on these subjects that we may claim the praise for our citizens at large, of being directed by enlightened, public-spirited feelings. The manner in which this is done precludes any ostentatious reports, but the real purposes of such expenses are very well answered. The militia is an organized system, of which some display is made, because it is connected with the government, as the governor is commander in chief-but the affairs of schools and roads are not managed by the state administration. They depend on each separate town, which levies and appropriates, at its own discretion, the sums raised within itself. There is one exception

only to this; in Connecticut there is a school fund, from which each town receives a certain income annually to pay for its schools; by which means the inhabitants are exempt from all expense on this account, though every child in the state has the opportunity of common school education.

The laws require that every town should support schools, and also keep in good repair the roads within its limits; and for failure in either of these duties, the legal remedies are of course provided. These roads are constantly improving, and, except in very new districts, may be generally considered very good. Besides these public roads, there are turnpikes in every direction; over these the United States carry their mail, and transport military stores, and thus derive a direct advantage from them; and a citizen of another state derives the same facility as the inhabitants. The people of Maryland are as able to pay for the expense of good roads as the people of Connecticut; yet in the former state they are almost impassable, and in the latter are every where in good condition. One state has then a right to claim some merit, for the service it renders to the public in this way, and which is grossly neglected by another.

I have no data to form an accurate estimate of the sums annually raised for this purpose. There is no provision for making any official returns, and I have never seen any statistical account of them; though, they are so important in the political economy of the state, that an annual statement of

them ought to be made to the legislature. Every town agrees, by an annual vote, to lay out a sum upon the highways; this is afterwards assessed upon the inhabitants, and expended under the direction of surveyors, chosen for the purpose. A good deal depends on the judgment and fidelity of these surveyors, in seeing that the work is not slighted. The tax is expected to be paid by labour, and is almost always discharged in this way;-but if inconvenient to the individual, he may pay it in money. I believe I am within bounds in estimating the highway taxes, annually raised in the eastern states, at 200,000 dollars.*. Besides this annual expenditure, more than two millions of dollars have been employed, within a few years, by incorporated companies, in constructing bridges and roads. The former are generally a lucrative stock; but of the latter, there are very few that pay simple interest for the capital. These roads, however, were, in many instances, subscribed to by the greater part of the stockholders, rather with a view to public improvement, than from any sanguine expectations of income from the stock. Another million of dollars may be placed to the item of canals, which, though in almost all cases an improving property, give at present but a small per centage on the stock.

In the department of education there is also an annual tax, voted by each town, for their public schools. This is apportioned, if the township is

* I have been told by some persons that in their opinion this item might be trebled at least.