The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1842-01-27
Hnrrisbsargh.
Correspondence Of the Herald.l

HARRIsBURoH, AN y, ISi@'
Situation Of Pennsylvania abandonment
of the Pubic Works-7ar on he Coal Trade
Theatre, SC.
But few subjects Of general interest have as yet
been brought before the Legislature for their action
The custom once settled that Pennsylvania would
not, if she could avoid it, repudiate her debt, the
idea has suggeated itself to some of our modern So
Ions, or been suggested by alarmed credtors-"how
is she to avoid 1t p Somes the people bear tax
alton, we'll give them more OF it. Others would
apportion the State debt among the holders Of real
and personal property, and charge to each individual
his portion OF the debt, giving him credit on the
books of the commonwealth for all monies paid on
the same. Another class advocate immediate
sale Of the finished lines of canal and railroad and
the abandonment of the unfinshed-while others
talk loudly of retenchment and reform, and OF eco
nomy in expenditure. The latter class are the most
despicable Of all orders Of politicians. Morning,
n, and night they found talking of economy,
but as soon as they see their principles about being
reduced to practice, they commence grumbling
concert, and series Of eomplanngs, which inva-
iably causes an indefinite pOstponement OF the
subject.
Perhaps there is no Legislature in the Union where
there is so much talking for 'bunkum, and so much
legislation for party, as in Pennsylvania. For the
last 20 years they have been continually talking of
economy and at the same time have been expend-
ing, with more than prodlgal hand all the money
the State has been able to borrow manufacture, =
Whatever question has been brought forward, the
inquiry invariably has been, show will it operate
upon the party 7? and this once ascertained, sides
argument in the world cannot induce man to act
in such way as to injure, the rem0test degree,
:" the party with which he has the honor to act."-
Thus every question Is made a party question land
,G Tod hv atty IG IOnk red III
have no hesitation in saying, that the unfinished
lines of caaals will be abandoned, or finished by
companies. A large jority OF the members of
this legislature opposed to making further appro.
priations 10 these improyements-he North Branch
Canal in particular, connecting with the New York
Improvements, they are determined shall be given up
for the present, and 1t Will, perhaps, never be COM
pleted. The citizens OF the north look upon this
canal as the most important improvement in the
State but the people all other parts of the State
regard 1t as an idle and visionary scheme, and will
ever oppose any additional appropriation to it.
Mr.. Gibbons. Of the Senate, day ortwo since, In
advocating al abandonment Of the unfinished lines,
| said that after much careful examination of Penn
sylvania her condition and prospects, he had arrl
| we'd at this conclusion The improvements must be
abandoned or Pennsylvania must repudiate her debt
In his opinion, the question: presented itself in all the
| light OF ay-abandonment or reputation.
The coal trade, il has been supposed, would even
tually become source of great profit to Pennsylva
| MIA but from present appearances should not be
surprised should the Legislature, by their action,
cripple it in its infancy resolution was introduced
Ao the House the other day laying tax Of Is cents
per ton on all coal mined in the State. The movers
of this measure contemplate, without looking at the
justice injustice oft, being able by such law TO
bring into the Golfers Of the State sum not less than
| $4,000 The whole amount of coal mined in the
State in the year lS4l, they estimate at 100000.
Should this ever become law, the county of
Schuylkill, in which lies the greatest coal region in
the State, will be forced to pay in addition to her
present heavy taxes. nearly S25 annually, mining
she did in lSil, nearly GOO 900 tons OF COAL by
this means and This alone PENNSYLVANIA Is to avoid
pudiation would say lett her repudate and save her
henOr.
! Alheatrcal corps from Philadelphia are now play
ing, or rying 20 play, but OF them Ahal Say but
little. Without being accused Of fatery can say
with truth, it is sc murder most foul" Miss Randolph
is all that is attractive about the company, and with
out her they would be destitute of merit She had
benefit last night and am pleased to say had full
house She played her parts well-sang melodlous-
" and danced delightfully."-. In the language of the
immortal Burns
Down flowed her robe Tartan sheen
Till half leg was scrimply seen,
And such leg my bonnie Jean
Could only peerit-
Sac straight, sac taper, tight and clean,
Name else near il.