Jeffersonian Republican. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1840-1853, 1850-01-10

means OF system OF drawbacks and MAXI
mum rates of tolls, are unjust aud improper.
Their labor and property, IN common with
others, were encumbered in the construction
OF the Improvements their industry and
wealth have for years assisted, and continued
to assist, to sustain them and it is dlfficult to
perceive upon what principle of public policy,
arm OF oils is maintained, discriminating
against their interests. The demands Of trade
cannot excuse a palpable wrong of this char
aCter while a reduction of tolls on the whole
line of improvements, would produce an in
crease of business, and secure the desired for.
egn trade.
The practice of contracting debts for re-
pairs, and for the purchase of materials be-
yond appropriations for these purposes, should
be prohibited by severe penalties. Nothing
Can be more destructive of all accountability,
or offer stronger inducements to extrava-
gance, than such power over the public mo-
ney. An officer guilty of an act of this kind,
violates the trust committed to him, and
should be forthwith dismissed from the public
service. Debts already contracted in this
way, should be paid !; for the labor in behalf
Of the State has boen performed, and it would
infiCt an injury on those who could not have a
knowledge of the wrong, to withhold from
them the value OF their services; but immedi
ate measures should be adopted, to prevent
of this kind, authorized in some measure
by subsequent appropriations by the Legisla-
ture, for the payment Of the debts thus CON-
tracted, cannot fail to mislead ihe people, and
embarrass the public officers in their estimates
and recommendations. The large appropria-
tions for the payment of old debts, made at
the last session OF the Legislature, show the
extent to which the practice has been carried,
and should admonish us to guard against re-
currence of the evil. In providing by legal
enactment against the mischief here stated,
authority, might be given to the Canal Com
missioners, should it be deemed necessary, to
meet DEFICIENCIES in the funds provided for
any line of Improvements to draw from spe-
cihc appropriation for that purpose, requiring
from them detailed and special report on the
subject, TO the auditing department, as well
as to the succeeding Legislature.
The avoidance OF the SChuylkill inclined
Plane, and the Improvements connecting with
the Columbia and Philadelphia Railroad
which are in rapid progress of construction,
must materially increase the business on that
public thoroughfare, and will render the re-
laying of portion of said road, a work Of abso-
lutte necessity. In the performance of this work,
should the Legislature authorize it, good policy
would seem TO require, far as the means
OF the Treasury will permit, that one track
at least should be laid with a heavy rail; and it
is worthy of consideration whether the public
interests would not be greatly subserved, by
a location of the new track, so as to avoid the
many short curvatures On the eastern end of
said road. They increase the danger to pas
sengers and freight forbid dispatch safely
performed on straight line and require
greater force than would be necessary on d.
rect track with higher grades. In the event of
the Leg gislature authorizing the relaying of the
n he
change Of location before mentioned, due
regard to the public interests and the limi-
ted resources OF the treasury would seem TO
demand that the improvement should COM
mence at an early day, and progress from
year to year, as the revenues would war
rant, until it should be completed.
The Portage Railroad from the completion Of
'ur line of improvements to the present time, has
,een a serious obstacle TO the business of the
ommuEity and the occasion of trade seeking
'ther channels to the Atlantic markets Any
node therefore, of lessening this evil, must meet
he hearty concurrence of the citizens. The sum
# five hundred thousand dollars judciously ex-
ended, will avoid all the short levels, and four
# the five Inclined Planes, on the western slope
# the Allegheny The annual expense Of main
aiming these Planes is not less than ten thousand
oars for each Plane, and if to that amount be
dded the cost of the short levels, and the per-
shable nature of the materials connected with
hese works, with the delays and risks incident
lereo the annual amount for their maintenance,
annot be less than one hundred thousand dollars.
We're these Planes avoided, and those on the east
IN slope OF the mountain repaired the commerce
n the Public Works would be facilitated and in
reased, and the Pennsylvania Central Railroad
company, would find it their interest for many
ears to use il in connection with their great inn
rovement.
During the last season, the scarcity OF water on
ne upper portion of the Western Division of the
Canal, materially injured the char
cter of the Public Works, and diminished the
Pvenue from that source not less than $4,000.
o guard against recurrence of this evil, it is
that the Western Reservoir, in the
Of which, the sum. of sixty thousand
ollars has been expended, be completed. The
slmated amount required for its completion Is
10000, and would, in the opinion OF the Execu
We, be judicious appropriation.
1t has been suggested that an alteration in the
anal locks, by making them conform to the shape
the bottom of the boats, would not only strength
n them, but would be saving of water. This
hight be effected, if deemed of sufficient impor-
,nce, by the insertion of wooden bottoms, in such
lanner as to produce the results indicated.
BY the reports of the Auditor General and State
treasurer, made under the directions of the act of
le 10th of April, lS49. it appeared that after the
ayment of the interest OH the public debt and the
quotation and payment Of other claims for which
appropriations had been made by the Legislature,
nd retaining a reasonable balance in the TTeasu-
y, the sum OF $l50,000 might, with safety, be ap-
lied to the completion of the North Branch Canal
accordingly gave immediate notice of the fact to