The Columbia Democrat. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1837-1850, 1839-03-16

~ shall be "drawn from the treasury but
in consequence of appropriations "made
by law" To preserve this salutary provi-
sion in its spirit. we should never permit
that to be done indirectly which it prohibits
from doing directly. Hence we have seen
the constant care and attention of the leg
islature TO prevent the Canal Commission
ers from ncurring debts beyond the appro-
priations from time TO time made. This
would be altogether nugaory if, when a
distinct and specific amount is appropri- |
sted, the canal commissioners by contlnu-
ing the contractors at work after the appro-
priation to the object is exhausted, could
involve the state in further responsibilities
without sanction of a legislative enactment.
BY the act Of the 18th February, 1886,
incorporating the bank of the United
States, the OH section of which authorizes
the canal commissioners to survey and To-
cate the road in question, and to put not
less than 90 nor more than 80 miles there
of under contract, the sum of two hundred
thousand dollars specifically appropriated
to this work, and the 18th section express
ly provides that 'the canal commissioners
shall not be authorized TO incur any debt on
tile faith of the commonwealth. in any way
or manner beyond the appropriation aiore-
said," &c, Here the original act by which
this road was introduced into the public
Improvements of the state, without previ-
Gus survey or examination, and with moth
ing 10 recommend it to public favor but the
influence which its friends could bring i'll
support of an act of legislation, since re-
peatedly and constantly disapproved by the
people, prohibits the expenditure Of money
upon it beyond the specific appropriation.
On the 10Th December, 1887, an act
passed both branches of the legislature, ap-
propratng forty-five thousand dollars to-
wards the construction of the Gettysburg
rail road, to be applied in payment of work
actualydone prior to the lst day of January
| (then)neXt and directing the canal commits
sioners 10 give notice to the contractors to
suspend their work upon said road, from
and after the said 1st day of January. By
a course who'll unexpected, and which, for
the. character and reputation Of the com
monwealth, it is hoped will never be consd-
cred fit example for imitation; this lst
day of January 1888, was made IN point
of law TO mean the lst of January 1889,
and thus the intention of the legislature,
solemnly expressed by both branches, was
for time frustrated.
BY the act of the 18th April, 1898, the
further sum of one hundred and ninety-fve
thousand dollars was appropriated to this
rail road, TO be applied to the work already
under contract and the resolution which
had previously passed the legislature as
before stated, and which became law on
the 9Th of January, 1888, was repealed.
! But by tho 9th section Of this act, 1t is pro-
"Jided, that "lhe canal commissioners shall
not be authorized TO incur any debt on (the
'falth of the commonwealth in any way
''or manner beyond the appropriation alore-
''sald, and no part Of the aforesaid appro-
'priation shall be applied to any other than
'the several specific purposes 10 which II is
appropriated by the preceding sections of
''thls act, nor shall any contracts be entered
''lnto for any new lines of canal, or rail
''Ioad, not mentioned in this act, or for any
"eXenson of the lines herein named, be-
"yond the limits prescribed by this act"
1t was therefore the duty Of the canal COM
mIssloners to have stopped the work on the
road the moment the specific appropriation
thereto was exhausted. But it appears this
was not done, and the subject was brought
10 Tie attention Of the legislature in the
previous part OF the present session. BY
resolution passed by both houses and
approved on the 10Th of February, last,
past, it was declared that from and altel the
lst day of March, 1899, the work on the
Gettysburg rail road should be suspended,
and temporary loan Of one hundred and
fifty thousand dollars was authorized for
the purpose of paying the contractors on
said road for work done, or that might be
done, previous to that day including the
retained per centage, the accounts of the
contractors to be settled by the Auditor Gen.
eral aud State treasurer, in the usual man
ner, according TO law. In ten days after
approving this resolution, am called upon
to approve another resolution, providing
that the contractors on this road shall be
permitted TO continue their work, until the
first day of May, next unless they should
sooner be paid the amount due them
What circumstances have transpired tc
change the determination expressed in the
resolution Of the 10th of February, have
not been informed, and being left to gather