The Columbia Democrat. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1837-1850, 1837-12-16

II WhOe lmalter Is respectfully submitted to
the Legislature, that such order may be
taken upon it, as the honor of the State,
and justice to her citizens and creditors
may require. The 'Fsubject is introduced
this connection, as exhibiting an addi-
tonal strong reason for avoiding any in
crease Ct the debt, and for conlining all our
present energies to the single object of ma
king the expenditure. e.already7 incurred, as
tspeedily productive as practicable.
On the last day ofthe last session of the
y Legislature, joint resolution was presen-
I ted to me authorizing a loan by the State,
II for two years, of s $4,000, at six per cent
interest, to the Harrisburg and Lancaster
| rail road company. 1t was not then, nor
has 1t been since, signed, | now assign
| the following reasons for Withholding the
executive appreciation.
v l. Because, ust before the resolution
i was presented to me, had refused to sign
/ the general improvement bill of the ses-
sion, chiefly on account of its containing a
large amount of appropriations and aids To
company works, to the injury of the public
works of the Commonwealth, and 10 the en-
tire proslration of her future resources, if
the bill should succeed The subject of
II
claims than they, and could not have been
| approved if embraced in that bill nor can il
| now be approved separately. .. De-.
2. Becausel wholly disapprove of the
practice of connecting extensive works by
companies, or other private means without
u full ability and preparation to complete
them. The practice of doing so, and of
then throwing them Oh the Treasury Of the
Commonwealth for completion, has been
too extensively followed, and should be dis
countenanced. Ii is unjust to the citizens
of the State generally, injurious to the cit
zens through whose property they pass,
and ruinous 10 the unfinished system Of
State works. -,
3. Because almost the only business
which can be transacted on the road in
question, will be abstracted from the pub
lie works of the State ut Lancaster and Ilar-
risburg, The loss TO the State by the
transportation of passengers alone on this
road has been already considerable, and
when it shall be completed and used for the
transportation Of freight, will, in all likeli-
hood, amount 10 100000 per apnum. 1t
therefore has no very strong claims oil the
lberality of the Commonwealth.
A. Because, even if the claims of this road
for aid were strong, as they are not, the
condition of the State Treasury will not af-
ford the proposed loan. A sufficient a.
mount TO carry OH the proper undertakings
of the Commonwealth is barely on hand;
and even if more were possessed, their
wants would require it all.
s.. And finally, because ! wish to make
my opposition to this resolution indicate
the decided objections entertained against
the ruinous policy of chartering companies
to make railroads and canals PARALLEL with
the public improvements. If this conrse
he pursued, and particularly if the compa-
nies be also aided by the State, in their set
ting the State works idle, the latter had bet
ter at once be abandoned.
On the same day there was also presen-
ted to me for signature, bill entitled ''An
act incorporating the Buck Ridge rail road
aud mining company and for other purpO,
ses." This bill, if it become law; will
incorporate or extend the privileges of elev'
en- companies, with power to purchase ant
hold 10000 acres Of land, and operate witt
an aggregate capital Of $4,000, 900; all o
them to mine and transport coal to market
and some with power to construct railroads
He -couleHlIldlCu COi'l'dllcS, Nh"SO pr
vieges are generally to continue for u
years are "The BucI, Ridge road and mi
ming company" to operate in the county
of Schulykill with capital of 100000
"The Dauphin and Susquehanna Goa
company" continued and extended for u
years, to operate in Dauphin, with capita
of 100000 ."Thc Union rail road an'
mining company" to operate in Schuylkil
and Dauphin, with a capital of 35O,OOO
"The Morris Run Coal company" to oper
ate in Northampton, with capital f25O,
600. 'The Pine Ridge, Coal company" ltC
operate in Luzerne and Northampton, witt
capital of 100000. "The IIarlegh Goa
company" to operate in Luzerno and Nor
Hampton, with a capital of 100000
'.The Bradford Coal company to operate
in Bradford county, with a capital of $50,
900; and "The Franklin Rail Road compa
NY" with privileges and rights similar t
the preceding coal companies to operate II
the county of Bradford, with capital o
100000.
| am constrained to refuse the EXecu
tive appreciation and signature to this bill
for the following reasons: