The Columbia Democrat. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1837-1850, 1841-01-16


bouring states on all sides, in defiance
OF law, and of the most active and en-
deavors to suppress them. | cannot,
however. conclude this part of my
subject, without recommending that
no increase of our banking capital be
made under any circumstances, and
that efiectual provision be made by
law. that ifany bank shall at any time
hereafter. suspend specie payments,
it shall be fpso facto forfeiture Of its
charter. Nothing short Of an absolute
and unconditional provision of this
kind, can arrest the frequent over is
sues by the banks, induced by the in
ordinate capidity Of thosa under whose
directions they may be conducted.
Let the great principle be distinctly
announced, as the foundation on
which our banking institutions rest,
that hereafter, there are to be no more
suspensions Of specie payments in
Pennsylvania.
The condition Of ofthepublc improve
ments during the past year, has been
attended TO by the officers entrusted
with their management, with un,iring
ass;duity. They are in a much better
state of repair than they ever have
been since their construction, and but
little delay or interruption in business
has occurred. The amount Of busi-
ness done on the main line, it is true,
has been less than last year, but it has
been owing to causes in no degree con-
nected with the management of the
public Improvements. refer you to
the Report Of the Canal Com mission.
ers, for detailed and accurate state
ment of fhe present condition of the
improvements. the sum required to
complete those lines in state of for
wardness, and the amount needed for
repairs on the canals g. rail roads now
in oPerstion, as we'll as the amount due
for repairs heretofore done.
l feel it to be my duty again to
state ~ rtIu Lso:A-l.--- ~ o-~.a-,
as those portions Of the unfinished
lines of improvement, now almost
completed, are finished, and upon
which, if The werk had been suspend
ed, more would dave been lost to tho
Commonwealth than by fastening
their completion, l thiuk it full time
for Pennsylvania TO pause in her ca
reer of internal improvement, and test
fer a time the usefulness and value of
the stupendous achievements she has
already made. ! have been from the
beginning the friend and advocate OF
the internal Improvement system OF
this Commonwealth, and shall centin-
Tie to be, SO long as that system is con-
fined to the main lines and their i'm
mediate tributaries: but our immense
public debt, and the sacrifices which
the people are called upon 10 make in
consequence of it, for the payment OF
the interest, and ofthe principal as it
falls dse, forcibly admonish US, to con-
suit prudence and economy before we
incur additional responsibilities, with
out corresponding increase of means
to meet them. A revival of business,
and the natural augmentation of our
| dho WIZ III q
short period of time, enable us to real
ize from our improvements, many OF
the advantages Of which they are sus.
ceptible, and as l confidently trust,
enough, and more than enough to de-
monstate the wisdom Of their project
ors, and the soundness Of the policy,
which led to the enormous investment
of capital in their construction. When
that day arrives, let canals and rail
roads be constructed whersver they
promise to be useful throughout the
wide extent Of the Commonwealth;
but until it does arrive, let us husband
our resources, ard diminish az much
as practicable the burthens now i'm
posed upon the people of the State.
The amount necessary 10 complete
the main lines, g. to put the impreve-
ments now in use in thorough state
of repair, you will be fully informed
of by the Canal Commissioners;
which amount Of money would res
pectfully suggest, should be immedi-
atey appropriated, so as to enable
the Canal Commissioners to make
proper arrangements 10 apply it with
most advantage to the public service
Great and immediate repairs to our
L