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


81 up to the middle of November. On
these, and on all other works, public and
private in the State, the quantity of grain,
-four, merchandise, &c. transported during
the season, has greatly decreased-the ar
ticles of coal, and iron where transported,
are the only ones that have maintained their
usual progressive advance. OF anthracite
coal alone 100000 tons were carried TO
market the past year, being fully 100000
more than the previous season. On the
State works the tonnage ofcoal and iron
increased fully one third, while most 9th
er articles materially decreased. The in
crease of travelling was about one fifth
This view of the subject not only ena-
bles us to calculate with certainty on the
increased earnings of the public works
hereafter, but iustifies all necessary expen-
diture for their completion, even without
taking into account their other incalculable
advantages TO the State.
The operations on particular portions Of
the Improvements during the year, also pre-
sent the strongest arguments in favor of the
speedy completion of the whole The
Philadelphia and Colombia railroad, whose
system of management is not exceeded, if
it is equalled, any where, has yielded the
past year, sum equal to full interest on its
cost, besides paying all repairs. The mo-
tive power department, hitherto such a
source of dissatisfaction, has not only been
supported by the motive power tolls, but
has, in addition, cleared per cent on the
first cost of all the locomotives ever put on
the road.
The whole main line from Philadelphia
to Pittsburg, has yielded over per cent.
on first cost, besides paying the expense of
repairs, which is mainly attributed to the
admirable management ofthe Portage road,
and the canal portion of the route. The
Delaware Division has cleared per cent,
on cost, and kept itself in repair. Another
!, indication Of what Pennsylvania may ex-
pect from her coal business, the trade on
the canal being chiefly of that description.
= Improvements thus increasing in produc-
, tiveness under every disadvantage, demand
= because they are worthy of all tile care ol
: the Legislature.
In making the annual appropriations two
I objects are to be kept in view, viz: The
repair of the unfinished works: and the
: early completion Of those yet unfinished.
: There are two kinds of repairs, ordinary
e and extraordinary. 70 make the former
: the practice has prevailed almost since the
5 commencement of the system, of appro
t priating 100000 per annum. This sun
4 has generally been insufficient, and princi
: pally because it was not granted until 81
: late in the winter as 10 cause the necessary
y work to be prosecuted in great haste, ant
i consequently, under every disadvantage
: and with greatly increased expense, tha
i the works might be fit for use at the open
c ing Of the Spring. $29O,O0O will be SUI
l. fcent for ordinary repairs the present year
l. if provision be made for extraordinary re
II pairs.
l. Extraordinary repairs have not been usu
ally provided for specifically. That cours
e is now strongly recommended. The wan
= Of occasional appropriations of this kin
= has added much to the annual expense G
e the public works. The limited amount q
| the ordinary fund, prevented those substan
l. tial and permanent repairs from being mad
+ which true policy would have required
and has continually entailed much unne
IS cessary cost on the State, by cumpelin
c the public agents to make mere temporar
Is repairs, particularly to dams, which wer
e always 10 ne llldue over lle next season
le The present year S347,205 90 will be il
S, dispensable for this object. The princip;
D. items arc 100000 for the avoidance ,
ID the inclined plane at Columbia; SG6, 900 {
ut put the feeder dam in the Slsquehanna, an
l. other rivers, in such order as to afford
le certain supply Of water 10 the canals whe
Y the rivers arc low; $50, ,OGO to renew a pa
i Of the Eastern Division of the North Ira
IN of the Columbia and Philadelphia Raj
. road, which being originally chiefly
il wood, is now decayed, and to make 0tht
of necessary arrangements on that part of I'll
S. public works; 26,235 for ropes on bot
ut roads, and for workshops, &C., on the Pc
re tage; 1000 to renew locks on the Wester
,,- Division Of the main line of canal; "a, ,OO
OF to construct additional locks on, and
S. deepen the canal below, Duncan's Islanc
is so as to admit full supply of water at a
lg seasons. Under this head may also wit
rt propriety be included, the annual appropr
le alton for damages 100000 and for ne
y, work on the finished lines, pay of Can
le Commissioners Appraisers, Engineers, g.
to 100000 making the above total
le No legislation is now necessary for IL