The Columbia Democrat. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1837-1850, 1840-01-25

is fortunate for the public that the banks
have either voluntarily, or IN the natural
course of their own defective organization,
placed themselves in condition, where
they not only canno! dispute the policy aud
ius;ice of reform, but must in sefdeience,
allece ,he lruth Of the very doctrines, on
this subject, for which the friends of reform
have long frui.lessly contended. Time
and necessity are powerful reasoners. In
this Instance. they have convinced even
those who were interested to resist their
convictions, and / accordingly trust, the
legislature will proceed at once, and cour-
ageously, to the accomplishment OF this
great, salutary and long expected work.
The public improvements OF this COM
monwealth, constituting one of It's principal
resources, as well as objects oil expenditure
must be regaided as subject hardly sec
ond in Importance to the finances. This
system has gradually grown up TO its pre-
sent magnitude within the last fifteen years.
The internal improvements oil Pennsylvania
now consist of the following number Of miles
in actual operation, to wit; 60S4 miles OF
canal and slack water navigation, and llS
miles of rail road, making together 7264
miles completed, and now in use-2O74
miles of canal and slack water navigation
have been commenced, and are III state
OF considerable progress.
The following number of miles have been
suspended, after expenditures 10 some a.
mount had been made upon them, 90 w.t.:
forty seven miles of canal and slack water
pavration;and twenty two miles Of railroad
| beg leave to refer you to the message
which had the honor to transmit TO the
last legislature, on the 2Glh January, 1889,
as containing a full and explicit exposition
of my views on the general subject OF cur
internal improvements, and to the report OF
the canal commissioners for a detailed
statement of the operations upon them du-
ring the past year, together with their con-
dition at the present time. 1t is due TO
those officers TO state, that their duty has
been performed with much ability and efli-
cheney, and that their opinions and recon-
mcndatons are entitled TO respectful con-
sideratioE.
On this occasion | will merely refer to
such facts and considerations, connected
with This subject, as appear TO me to be
essential to the proper understanding Of It's
nature and bearing.
The internal Improvements OF this CONF
monwea!ih have beeh constructed at an ag-
gregate cost Of twenty six and half mil
lions Of dollars and when we consider
that the surface Of our territory is diyersi-
ed and broken by numerous chains, Of
mountains and by rivers, to greater de-
gree than that OF almost any state in the
Union, we must regard our system OF inter-
nal communication, undertaken by COM
munity distinguished FORTS prUde.lce econ
omy and simplicity Of character, as stan
ding wilhou. parallel in modern times.
The enterprise and perseverance, of the peo-
pie in Pennsylvania have enabled them to
achieve these astonishing triumphs over the
barriers Of nature, and the obstacle incident
10 their condition, more formidable still.
The great system originally projected, is
almost completed. In its progress, II has
been subjected 10 few other fluctuations
and drawbacks, than arise from pecuniaIy
endorsements, and from those errors o.
Judgment and accidents Of legislation, tha
are to be naturally expected, from the want
Of experience or the part of those who di
recied its operations, and from the numer
GUS conflicting local interests That preVallel
in the legislature On the whole thougi
some works have been undertaken o
doubtful policy at the time; though large
sums Of money have been expended OF
some which ought never to have been com
m,nced; and though the cost of those o
unquesIioned utility, has been fer create
than il would be, Il the same work was Il
be done under the advantages of our pre-
sent experience, we have yet perhaps al
much cause to be surprised at our good, al
at our i'll fortune.
In former part Of this message, havr
fully explained our present financial EN-
barassments. have stated the amount O
money that must be provided TO meet tn
unavoidable demands on the treasury Q
The ensuing year. Our condition forbid
the undertaking Of all new works, and EN-
phaiically incuicales the most careful nus
bandry of our resources. In addition I
the payment Of The interest or she publib
debt and providing for the payment of
loan falling due, a million of dollars, ;
least, will be needed fer repairs, during th
present year; for satisfactory eXplanatio
OF which, refer you to the report of III