Sunbury American and Shamokin journal. [volume] (Sunbury, Northumberland Co., Pa.) 1840-1848, 1841-01-16

blot upon the faith and honor of the State is e(,c.
Iualy guarded against, by the prompt action of the
Legislature.
In my last annual message, the question was dis
inc,ly presented to The Legislature, whether the
work then in progress should be prosecuted to i'm
mediate completion not, and the question was by
them determined in the affirmative, and the sum of
9ooo,ooo appropriated to each of what has been u
sually dcncminatcd the main lines and the works
being far progressed in, to warrant the expcc-
taton of their being completed in an other year. oil
will now concur in the opinion, presume, that
provision should be Immediately made for the COM
plction of the unfinished works as soon as possi-
bic.
julicious and immediate appropriation prompt
ly made in anticipation of the usual appropriation
bill. specifically for the works under contrac-for
ne completion of the reservoirs, at each end of the
Portage rail rold-and for ordinary repairs, is i'm
poriouly called for, and enable the contractors to
complete the whole, and have them ready for use
10y the opening of the navigation in the spring Of
lsl2, The vast Importance of The immediate COM
p,ion Of the main line, "ei' ~ 'i'c c''izeiis IN.
I
tots " ne Comm 'nwe lth, cannot bc too strongly
| pressed upon your attention. They will complete
a communication between the great lakes, and our
commercial metropolis. They will also, by prop
or arrangement with the authorities of New York.
connect our Improvements with those of ,ha, rrcat
Commonwealth, thus afodng an opportunity Of
exchanging tho products of the two states, and
Strengthening tie uo,ihs - ~
They will also add largely to the revenue on the
works now in use.
Whatever differences of opinion may have existed
as to the policy of commencing the Erie Extension
and North Branch Canals. there ough, to BE- mono
now as to their speedy complexion. They are near
ly finished a comparatively small sum is necessary
to complete them and the policy of continued AMI
protracted delay in completing works, which the
state is pledged to accomplish, until the first work
done upon them has become useless from decay,
has proved disastrous and ruinous on many occa-
| sons.
The course heretofore usunl, Of neglecting to ap-
propyiate sufficient for repairs and that early
in the session, has been seriously determined to the
interests of the Commonwealth. At the las, ses.
sion the Commissioners stated that the lowest csti
m lie required 100000, and the Legislature appro-
priatcd s5OO,OOn grca, portion of which was alb
Ivy debts then due. The result has shown that tho
Commissioners right. The fund has long
since been exaus'ed. The necessary repairs have
not been completed. Those who have been engaged
at them unpaid, and the Supervisors with
out funds to lay in the necessary materials for
pairs. The repairs on the lines of Canals in use
should ordinarily he made ia winter, when they
would not interrupt the use of the Canals; and it
has usually happened that before the arrival of win
ter, tie officers have means at their command,
and no appropriation bill! is passed until late in tho
i session. The whole system Of repairs in conse-
qucnce of the uncertainty of the time Of paying the
workman, and those who furnish materials cost
), the Commonwealth much more than it would do
we've the means of payment ample, certain, ana
=, promptly Oprlied.
f. The Beaver division of the Pennsylvania Cana
: is already connected with the public improvement
;s of Ohio by the Pennsylvania and Ohio Canal,
n, work which has been completed by individual ell
.r erprizc, aided by public appropriations from bot
- States, and bids fair to be valuable tributary I
, our public Improvements, and Profitable invoF
.. men; for the stockholders It has been accomplisl
n ed at less cost than any other work of the kin
= which have visited, and is monument of Il
wisdom of its projectors, and of the skill, prudenc
aud economy oi those charged with its constru
. ton.
10 | respectfully recommend TO the Legislature, Il
re- enactment OF law authorizing the Canal Comm
If sioncrs To treat with the authorities Of New lU
n. for such 4 connection OF internal improNemen
ct with theirs, will best promote the interests of
II, two Commonwealth. The law should limit 4
ce terms and conditions, and define the power and
G., thorities of the Commissioners in such manner
h. on due consideration shall be deemed proper.
lie The interests Of the Commonwealth would Al
be advanced by entrustins the board with
y power of selling leasing, water power created
he our internal improvements. There are at ma
o. points. and in very advantageous situations, surp
st, quantities of water, which could DO proitaby ayi
n, ed To various branches of manufacture without
] jury TO the due suppy OF our canals. The inllS
Il; our public Improvements would be increased th,
to by, and considerable sum realized from such :
lie OF lease.
ho BY an act of the seventh Apr, 1885, Gusra
IN was made on the part OF the state, ioi The Paym
OIL Of an interest of five per cent, for twenty-five y
d. on $4,000, Of the capital stock oi the Bald hi
c and Spring Creek Navis alton company, and
IS sulsoguent act the State has since subscribed
,l, 600 to The stock of the company, The whole OF