The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1842-03-23
LVANIA-HER PUBLIC I'M
PROVEMENTS.

Commissioners OF Pennsylvania ale eftecllnS
some wholesome reforms in the management
of the public works of that great Common
wealth. While il is scarcely to be expected
| that, under the party system of managing al
| fairs in Pennsylvania, a thorough reform can
| at once be effected, il is, nevertheless, crafty
ing TO find that some steps are being taken to-
wards it; and to whatever party the Commits
soners may belong, they deserve credit for
what they have done. 1t is stated that the
number Of officers has been reduced at least one
half, and while the duties have generally been
increased, the salaries have been in some in
stances diminished. The Commissioners have
given assurances that they will be able to make
the main line of canal and railroad, from Phila
dephia to Pittsburgh source OF considerable
revenue to the State All the men in the ser
vice of the State are required to oe industrious,
honest and sober, incompetence not being tole-
rated
Pennsylvania has long needed reform. For
years her public works have been managed en-
tirely by political parlisans; tavoriiism, prodi-
gaity and corruption have prevailed the pub
lie funds have been made the stakes of gamb-
ling politicians; and an immense debt, a laxity
of public morals, discomfort among the people,
and burdensome taxes, are the consequences.
That the public works of the State are valua-
bic, cannot be disputed; but they might have
been luay valuable at far less cost No re-
gard whatever has been had to economy so that
we find the main line has scarcely kept itself in
repair; while the Ohio Canal, from Ceaveland
on the lake to Portsmouth on the Ohio river,
paid last year fraction over six per cent. inte-
rest on its cost, after deduc,ng all the ex-
penses of management and repair This fact
shows what can be done undera better system,
and we have no doubt, has had its weight with
the Commissioners of Pennsylvania.
The debt OF Pennsylvania is now nearly forty
millions of doll rs but the annual productions
of the State, according TO the best information
which can be obtained, are nearly two hundred
millions or rather, they have amounted to
nearly that sum in prosperous times. The
State has resources as various and abundant as
any territory of the same extent in the world
She has an excellent sea port on the Delaware,
Dor on Lake Erie. The great Ohio river is
formed within her borders, and at the ''head of
navigation" Eve beg pardon of our Wheeling
friends, she has the busy and growing city of
Pittsburgh, whose enterprising and skilful man
ufacturers already furnish immense supplies TO
the great West, and have even pushed their
trade to the Pacific ocean. She has an agrcul-
tural population noted for honest industry, ope-
rating on a soil naturally productive and rem
dered more prolific by the perfection of hus
bandry She has mineral wealth incalculable,
water power inexhaustible, and nearly two
millions of people. The city Of Philadelphia
Notwithstanding the disgrace she has suf
fered by 3" fnaneiering" rogues, is an ornament
to the Union, while the inland towns of Ian
caster, Harrisburg, Carlisle, Lewistown, Holli-
daysburg, and m, others, are among the most
hourishing Of on. country.
Then why should Pennsylvania despond -
Her people only need sound currency, and a
revival of business, to enable them to NEE: all
their obligations. The necessary operations of
this Government, regulated by a judicious and
patriotic regard to the interests of our whole
country, will afford to her industry all the
encouragement and to her productions all
the demand which sound prosperity requires;
and the measures of the Administration,
when carried out by Congress as the People
desire, will be felt with quickening power
in every muscle of her giant frame. The
indispensable revenue duties, laid with wise
l,sc ,ato nd wifi vipW tn he
teracton of restrictions by foreigners, will
abundantly encourage the development OF her
mineral wealth, afford home market for the
products of her forests, her farms, and her work
shops, and thus increase greatly the domestic
trade upon her Improvements while the sound
currency and facilities of exchange which will
directly and Indirectly be afforded by the Pre-
sident's plan of finance, will materially enlarge
the trade from and to the West and Southwest,
upon her main artery of communication. Thus,
while her officers are Cor seem to be) endeavor-
ing to lessen the expenses Of her public works,
she NAV expect soon to find the revenue upon
them considerably augmented. And in addition
TO this, if the appropriations which the con
dtion of the country requires, should be made
in accordance with the suggestions of the Sec
rotary of the Navy, many of the supplies would
be furnished by Pennsylvania. Already has
that excellent officer determined to employ her
nge NOUS mechanics in the construction of an
iron steamer on the lake.
May we not, then, in all reason, call upon the
members of Congress from Pennsylvania TO
act as the times demand While the whole
country is bleeding at every pore, the vitality OF
Pennsylvania is staked upon the issue and
with all the iervor and eoquence which distress,
almost despair, can give, her people pray for
ection. They cannot, do not censure the Pre-