The Columbia Democrat. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1837-1850, 1840-01-25
For the Wicocisco feeder, l6e,l
Ane for road 20 avoid inclined
nlann at Cnlmmhin OIL
l86,i95 4S

plane at Columbia, Liza W
From this statement it is evident that
should the Legislature determine 10 suspend
the completion of these works, the sum Of
90, ,322, ,333, 80 expended on them, will he
lost; or should it be determined to pro
ceed forthwith to the completion of them
the sum OF 81, ,553, 500 10 will be required
for that purpose. Upon full considera-
ton of all these circumstances, together with
the additional fact, that these respective
works will be worthless, till the whole of
each is finished, it is fUr The Legislature 20
decide what course sound policy and Off
cial duty call on thom to adopt The
whole Of these lines might be completed, If
sufficient money be appropriated at this
session, within two years and portion
of them, during the approaching summer.
In addition to the foregoing works in a
state of progress, the following have been
suspended by the legislature, after eXpen-
ding ON each, the sums respectfully set
down, viz:
Gettysburg railroad, $656,666 67
Sinnemahoning extension Of
the West Branch canal, 100000 60
Allegheny feeder, $4,000 90
1t will not, presume, be thought advisa-
bic by any one, TO recommends any Oi
these works nnder existing circumstances.
The first has, most probably, been suspen-
| ded forever.
| took occasion in both my inaugural ad-
dress, and in the message OF the 20th Janu-
ary last, before referred TO, 10 announce 1t
clearly as my deliberate opinion, that after
the completion of the works then in a state
Of progress, aud so far advanced as 10 rem
der it less wise TO suspend than TO prose-
cute them with vigor, it would be time to
pause in our career and wait the further ex-
tension of our improvement system, I'LL we
could Judge Of it by it's fruits. The expe-
rence of the past year, has greatly strength
ened this opinion, and satisfied my mind
beyond all doubt, of the manifest policy Of
undertaking any new works, whatever al
the present copjnncture. l deem it an act
Of simple justice to the legislature to. ap-
prise them that This is my thorough con-
viction of duty. Should the legs slature
think proper, TO prosecute the works now
| in progress TO immediate completion, re-
specially suggest the piopriety, OF provi.
ding, at once for the whole amountrequired
so as 10 enable the canal commissioners to
execute them in the speediest and cheapest
manner and also | would further suggest
!he mistaken policy Of p0stponing the pas
sage Of SO important bill, as that for pros
eculing and repairing the public improve
ments, until the close Of the session. Much
is lost by the delay, and nothing gained
By this plocrasination, not onl ly is inyalu-
able time lost, but bills are sometimes ne
cessarily permitted 10 become laws that do
not meet the entire appreciation OF all de-
partments of the government, whose duty
il is to sanction them. Such was the case
with the act of 10Th July, 1889, entitled,
AN act to provide for the repairs Of the
several lines of canal and rail road, and TO
continue the improvements of the slate.
That very important bill did not pass, until
the last day Of the session OF the Legislature
and il was not presented TO me ioi my sig
nature, until the legislature had actually
adjourned sine die. Had it been present
ed TO me during the sitting OF the legsia'
ture, frankly say to you, ii would moi
have received the executive approbaon.--
Blu. when il came into my hands, there was
no remedy: ! was compelled to make {
choice between what iregarded as evils
either TO refuse my assent TO /! and suspend
/ the prosecution of the public improve
ments, not only those in course of con
suuc;ion, but TO arres! those in a state o
use--or to approve Of it, though confer
ring certain highly Objectionable powers
and privileges on the banks taking the loal
authorized. had il under consideration
for nearly month, and was finally induc
ed 10 sign it, in order TO prevent the serious
evils that would have resulted TO the bHsI
ness Of the country, and the character o
our public improvements, had there beel
no provision made 10 repair and conlinu
T operations on them at all. The same par
J amount consideration also induced me T.
f take the loap authorized from the Bank 0
s the United States of Pennsylvania, whicI
. institution, as was 10 be supposed, wOul
= seek to avail itself Of any advantage the lee
0 islaluro had bestowed ON those who fuI
c nished the loan. Every other eXpedient
a procure the money was first tried. Ih
II usual advertisements of the loans produce
g no bidders,-leuers addressed to all IN
n banls in the city of Philadelphia, had n
c better success. In this emergency, the or