The Columbia Democrat. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1837-1850, 1840-02-01

sIoners and engineers have estimated the a.
noun, Of work done by contractors. Upon
these, as well as upon all other subjects,
sIesdiness OF legislation is very desirable,
and gene,al rules and general system should
not be made to yield, unless under very pc
culiar circumstances indeed, to the exnarte
statements or representations of Interested
individuals. There is necessarily much e.
vii, and great want of security in much spe-
cial legislation. The increased population
and business Of the commonwealth, aud the
late period ia the winter at which the lepis-
lature assemblies, will, it is hoped, lead to
the adoption of such general rules on the
subject, as will save the legislature from be-
ing continually occupied with minor mat
tefs.
The expenditures of the administration
Of the government Of the state have been
much increased OF late years, and in no de-
partment so much as that of the legislative
While the increase of busines and popula-
ton furnish sufficient reason for a gradual
corresponding addition to the expenses of
the executive, Judiciary and treasury depart
ments, 1t is hard to account for the expenses
oil the legislature, which have advanced
since November, 1885, in ratio unparaI-
leled in the history of the government. III
will be found upon reference to the reports
of the treasurer and auditor general, that
she expenses Of this department, for num-
Der OF yeats prior TO November, 1885, |
were about one hundred thousand dollars,
and are now upwards of one hundred and
sixty thousand dollars annually The pub |
lie good requires rigid system Of reirencIi-
menl and reform, which, while il will allow
TO faithful public servants an adequate COM
pensalion for the time and talents devoted |
TO the public, will Iop off all wasteful, and !
unnecessary expenditures in every depart
ment l throw out these suggestions from |
no wish 10 dictate TO :he legislature, but in |
sincere desire to have all alleged abuses
investigated in spirit of candor and palri-
otic devotion to the public good, with view
to correction, wherever correction shall be
found necessary.
On candid review Of the entire condi-
ton of this commonwealth, although we
find her laboring under the pressure of an
enormous state debt, heightened by all the
incidental embarrassmenlS arising from the
payment of the interest upon it, and the
monetary arrangement; attending it, that
have shaken the credit of this state, and of
the sister states, 10 its foundation, yet there
is no cause for dependency or fear. Pru-
dence, discretion and economy, on the part
ol her Legislature, her executive. and her
citizens in few years replace her on the
solid footing Of peGuniary independence.
The industry and energy Of her people
Teaping wealth iiom her rich fields of ag-
Ticulture, dsemboweling it from her hills
and mountains, and Transporting il to mar
ket on hec rail roads and canals, cannot be
shackled with any pecuniary responsible |
ties that can, for any considerable period,
mar her prosperity or retard her march on
ward to greatness We have fallen, it is !
true, on one of those temporary reverses,
that come upon all nations ia the progress
Of advancement, when delusive systems of
pubic prosperity explode under the test OF
their soundness, and from the consequent
ces they produce, leave men in wonder
that they lasted SO long. 1t requires, how
ever, but the exercise OF a reasonable de-
gree Of wisdom, frmness and honesty, ia
the present crisis to rescue the affairs OF the
commonwealth from the difficulties by
"hA~" WV uAN az PANoCiih DCsCli ilONGNIl
formidable these unioward circumstances
have made them appear. Let all who lock
upon her with jealous or a friendly eve
be told that her ability is ample to meet all
her engagements; that the determination Of
her citizens 10 DO so, corresponds with her
ability, and that happen what may, the in
segrIy and fidelity Of the people of Penn
sylyania, are pledged to make good her CON
tracts with those whose money has con-
strucied her stupendous public improve
ments, and that the pledge SO made shall be
scrupulously redeemed.
esnnot close this communication, with.
out expressing the full reliance which
place in the wisdom and intelligence of the
legislatuIe-and The gIeat pleasure which il
will afford me, 10 be able TO approve and
execute those enactments which you will
find il necessary 70 make for advancing the
Interests and prosperity Of ehr free, beloved
and patriotic commonwealth
DAVID Il. PORTER.
HARRISBURG, January 8, 1910.
E2EslE1aaszasnIrssEn
man named Anthony Mcconnell fell