Jeffersonian Republican. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1840-1853, 1848-02-17
From Harrisb urS.
February 9, lS4S


sHousE-Mr. Schoonover presented TIVE Pc
,llons relating 10 the right of way of the New
York and Erie Rail Road Co. in his State; al
so, one relating TO the repeal Of the law author
zng the erection of dams in the river Delaware.
On motion of Mr.. Long, of Bucks, the House
went into committee of the whole, (Mr. ZeIgier
in the chair,) on bill entitled supplement to
the aci authorizing the construction OF an oui-le,
lock on the Delaware division Of the Pennsyl-
vania Canal, approved April 2Oth 1916, which
was reported without, amendment and coming
up on ID reading.
Mr.. Bowman moved to postpone the further
consideration Of the bill for the present which
was not agreed TO-.
Mr.. Fox wanted the reasons stated for the
repeal of the law.
Mr.. Hill said The only question was whether
The navigation Of the Delaware river should be
left open, or be obslruced. that was ALL 1t
was for the House TO decide.
Mr. Kick said that he considered ,hisq ques-
ton easily understood, II was TO benefit a few
al the expense of The many. He believed that
the people along that river had right 10 The
blessings and benefits which the God of nature
gave Them. The question was purely whether
the many honest and industrious citizens along
that liver should yield TO the especial bensft OF
the few. This bill was sprung upon the people
in former session, contrary TO their wishes,
and he would cheerfmly vote for its repeal.
Mr. Bushnell said he deemed the time Of
this House precious. but, situated he was in
regard 10 the said dam. he felt bound to cast
his vote for the bill. The industrious popula-
,ion in North Eastern Pennsylvania were deep
/ lx,i intorastaJ in he fraa and nav.
igalion of The Delaware river. Natural obslruo-
lions had been removed from that river al great
expense; artificial distractions had been put
in, by the erection Of dams and bridges, render
ing the descending navlgatun not only difficult
but extremely dangerous. The lumbermen
upon. and adjacen, to the river Delaware in
the sections Of the State which he poorly
represented, are as industrious and worthy a
class of men as can be found on the globe, and
he was not willing they should be compelled 10
submi. 10 large annual losses in consequence e
Of those distractions. Neither was he willing
t ihe wafer should be diverted from the channel.
Mr.. Long of Bucks, urged the passage OF
this bill and the repeal of the old law. II per-
milled TO remain, it would destroy the fisheries
on the river well other properties. He
was opposed TO having any distractions in the
river inasmuch none were needed
Mr.. Goff, expressed doubts as 10 the propri-
ely of repeating the law. He thought all 'he
difficulties complained Of might be remedied
without destroying this act of the legislature.
II seemed to him that the attempt was made
for the especial benefit of those " no obtain liv-
ing by stealing shingIe timber, and floating
hemlock boards on the Delaware River. He
thought the legislature were about TO legislate
wildly.
Mr.. Schoonover, replied with spirit to the
! charge made against The lunlbermen. He pro-
nounced them as honorable and as honest a
body of men as any in the commonwealth. He
also conented that the dam a, wells falls would
be productive of great and serious inconve-
nience. The bill was read third time and
passed finally.
February /.
On motion of Mr. Brelden,hall, the House
went into Committee Of the Whole, on bill TO
prevent the hunting of Deer with dogs in Hunt
Ingdon county, and for the preservation OF Pike
in the Juniala river and its iribu,arles-( Mr.
| Benedict in the Chair J The bill was amend
ed by extending its provisions so far as the
hunting of Deer or Elk is concerned, TO Dau-
phin, MiffiIn, Luzerne, Carbon and Elk coun-
ties.
Mr.. Schoonover, moved 10 amend the bill SO
as 10 regulate fishing and protect the fish in
Brodhead's and McMichaeps creeks in Monroe
counry---w hich was adopted, and the bill was
reported 10 the House, and coming up on sec
ond reading, was passed finally.