The Columbia Democrat. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1837-1850, 1849-10-06
hmpropriety Of Dhngling Uith Parity
Pohtics tie Question Of Completing the
North Branch Cmai.

V'"'|o '"C V"1ottVH " JVHptEtWS tHC
North Branch CmaL
We sincerely regret, says the Harrisburg
keystone, to see disposition manifested
by some of both polical parties, to make
political capital out ofthe question ofcOm-
pleting the North Branch canal. For our,
selyes,we cannot perceive how either party
is to gain any thing by this course. In the
region OF the state immediately interested,
the whole community, democrats and fed
eraists, are in favor of the completion of
the work, and the effort there, is as to who
shall be considered its most prominent
friends. Throuhout the whole state. there
are many individuals, Of both parties, who
have taken the pains TO make themselves
acquainted with its value and importance,
who are irrespective ofany party consider
alton, its decided friends.
In some regions of the state, the masses
are Indifferent have manifested no feeling
on the subject and are entirely willing that
their representatives shall exercise sound
discretion in regard to it. In others, es-
peciaIly in the original anti-improvement
dlsrIcs, there is positive dread of it, ire
spective ofany party division, an apprehen-
sion of an increase of the state debt. 1t is
the result of the flattering reports and es-
Inmates OF former times, which led on to an
accumulation of debt, without a realization
OF the promises made and hopes inspired.
1t is not surprising, therefore, that there
should be scepticismand apprension now,at
the idea of resumption of this work, by
those who are not familiar with it, and who
have not the facts, within theirown know
ledge, to enable them TO form a satisfactory
Ijudgmentfor themselves. But, what either
party has to gain by exciting and increas-
ing the state of feeling, where it exists irre-
specilve of party, and in regard to a mea-
sure which is sustined without reference
to party, is more then we can perceive. For
ourselves, we sustain the work from a
thorough conviction its real merits, and
upon full knowledge of its condition, its
cost, and value when completed.
From about the commencement of our
internal improvement system, in 1926, the
senior editor of this paper was, for seven
years continuously, member Of the house
of representatives and senate. During the
whole of which period, he opposedlhe ex-
travagant extension Of the system, by un-
lIormIy voting against the commencement
of the branches, and the extension of new
work on any but the main line first, to be
the true policy of the state. Iti is true, af
ter failing to carry the amendments desired,
with one very important exception, he GEN
orally voted for the bills and appropriations
to carry on the work commenced, until he
Ieilthc senate in the spring of 1893.
This allusion to our course at the period
referred to,whch we hope will be pardoned,
is only made to show that we have never
been of the over san guine, or ultra school
of improvement men. The views we en-
tertained and the partwe took during the
time referred to, viii be rccolcced by the
survivors, of those with whom we were as
socia,ed. Nor would we now advocate
the making of the improvement under con.
sideralion, were it to be comcnced as a new
work. But this is not the case. Nearly
two millions five hundred thousand dollars