Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1843-11-02
PENNSYLVANIA DEBT and Resources

The public debt of Pennsylvania amounts 10
about $40, 100000. This is a large aggregate,
but when her vast resources and mineral treasures
are considered II VIII seem comparatively small.
The coal mNes OF Pennsylvania are surprisingly
rich, vast In extent, and ineXhausibe in quantity.
ii is computed that her mines Of anthracite extend
over nearly thousand square miles, and the area
oil her bi,umnous coal region is estimated at some
twenty thousand miles. The quantity of anthra-
cite coal carried TO market has increased in the
space OF twelve years from 5000 tons to ], =
100000 tons; and nearly double that quantity Of
bItpminous coal is mined in the State a large por-
ton OF IT being consumed within the Common
wealth, chiefly at the West
statistical work, says the Baltimore AIneri-
can, recently published by Mr.. Trego, gives a
variety OF pariicn' ars concerning the physical
geography and condition of PENNSYLVANIA For
many years past this State has increased in popu-
la,ion 1t the rate OF about 30 per cent in each
successive period Of ten years. In 1910 the
whole population OF Penns yvania was / ,724 900,
and In 1850 it will doubtless exceed two mil
lions.
With regard TO the debt Of the State. MIR. Ire
go expresses The belief, and the opinion is no
doubt correct that the public works of the State
Tor which the debt was contracted, have added
far more to the intrinsic value Of the State than
their actual cost. The increased facilities and
the reduced prices Of transportation and travel
the great rise in the value of land in many parts
OF the State, from the creation Of a market for
produce or the easy and cheap means of convey
ance 10 market; the development Of the mine
raj wealth of the State, and the ready lranspora-
uon to places o! consumption Of her inexhausti-
bic supplies Of coal and iron all these and many
other advantages 10 the citizens Of PENNSYLVANIA
nave accrued trom the construction Of her public
improvements. "'fhus while the people have
been rearing the advantage" says Mr.. Trego,
" the State has become embarrassed with debt
and the only means which now remain to extri-
cate the treasury from its difficulties are for peo-
pie to contribute portion Of that which they
have gained from the use of the public works To-
wards paying their cost and sustaining the credit
OF the State
The mode which has been adopted in Pennsyl-
vania for managing the public works has been be.
yond all question i'll calculated TO render the
works productive 10 the extent Of which they are
capable. The internal Improvements of that great
State have been turned into party machinery; The
whole system has been made a system of party
management; and the productive interests Of the
works and the genera! interests of the public have
suffered from the perversion.
OF the ability Of Pennsy lvania to meet promptly
the obligations Of her debt, there can be 10 doubt
Yet her delinquency is giving rise to serious fears.
The holders of her bonds in Europe are begin
ming to apprehend an utter unwiIingness to pay.
There can be no doubt of the FINAL redemption of
her obligations, principal and interes-since it is
impossible that population can ever be practi-
cal and permanent thing in this country, or in
any other country that would be regarded as civil
Iized and Christian.--Richmond Compiler.