Jeffersonian Republican. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1840-1853, 1841-01-15

amount of business done on the main line, it is
true, has been less than last year, but it has
been owing 10 causes in no degree connected
with the management OF the public improve
I ents. | refer you to the report of the Canal
Commissioners for detailed and accurate state
ment Of the present condition Of the improve
ments, the sum required to complete those lines
IN state of forwardness, and the amount
needed for repairs On the canals and railroads
now in operation, as well as the amount due
for repairs heretofore done.
feel it to be my duty again TO state 10 the
Legislature, that as soon as those portions of
the unfinished lines of improvement, now al.
most completed, are finished, and upon which,
If the work had been suspended, more would
have been lost to the Commonwealth than by
Fastening their completion, think it full time
for Pennsylvania to pause in her career of in
fernal improvement, and test for time the use
funess and value of the stupendous achieve
ments she has already made. | have been
from the beginning, the friend and advocate of
the internal improvement system OF this Com
monwealIh, and shall continue 10 ne, So long
as that system is confined to the nam lines and
their immediate tributaries; but our immense
public debt and the sacrifices which The Peo-
pie are called upon to make in consequence Of
II, for the payment of the interest, and of the
principal as it falls due, forcibly admonish rs,
10 consult prudence and economy before we
incur additional responsibilities, without cor
responding increase of means TO meet them. a
revival of business, and the natural augmenta-
lion of our population and resources. VIII in a
short period of time, enable us o realize from
our Improvements, many of the advantages of
which they are susceptible, and as / confident
ly trust, enough, and more than enough to de-
monstrate the wisdom of their projectors. and
The soundness of the policy, which led TO the
enormous investment of capital in their con-
siruction. When that day arrives let canals
and railroads be constructed wherever they
promise to be useful throughout the wide eX-
tent of the Commonwealth; but until it does ar
rive, let Us husband resources, and dimin-
ish as much as practicable, the burthens now
imposed upon the people of the State.
The amount necessary to complete the main
lines and to put the Improvements now in use
in a thorough state of repair. you will be fully
Informed ofby the Canal Commissioners; which
amount of money would respectfully suggest,
should be Immediately appropriated, 50 as TO
enable the Canal Commissioners to make pro-
per arrangements to apply i; with most advant-
age 10 the public service. Great and i'm
mediate repairs to our Improvements are
indispensable, if we hope to maintain the cha
rscter of those Improvements, and to prevent
our Immediate northern and southern neighbors
from diverting from them large share of the
business Of the West and South. The honor
of Pennsylvania is too deeply involved in this
measure to admit of apathy or delay. Feeling
as citizens Of this Commonwealth should feel
on this subject, l am sure no stronger motive
TO action could be presented to you, than that
Of enlightened and manly state pride, address
ing itself TO you through the medium of official
5uiv