The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1850-02-07
Correspondence Of the Star.
FROM HARRISBURG.
Harrisburg, Feb. 2, 1850.

Harrisburg, rev. =, iooV.
GENTS
1t is easy to sum up the public do
ings, but there are deeds done here, which,
if they come to light, the fiends might blush
at. On Thursday the infamous bill to favour
the Reading Rail Road passed the House on
final reading by vote of SO 10 35,and | was
pleased to see Mr.. Former, for this time, vo-
ting on the Democratic side against the bill.
1t was amended and sent to the Senate. The
Senate amended it again and sent it back to
the House.
Judge Conynsham on last Tuesday presen-
ted petitions for annexing part of Luzerne
county to Columbia, and remonstrances a.
gainst any division of your county.
Mr.. Frick has also presented petitions from
several townships in Luzerne county asking
to be annexed 10 Columbia, and on last Thurs
day remonstrance from Hemlock township
against any division of Columbia county -
General Packer, in the Senate, has present.
ed petitions asking that part of Lycoming
may be annexed TO Columbia. So il is plain
that your county will be more likely to grow
in size, than to be dismembered by the pre-
sent Legislature.
MIR. Former on Wednesday read petition
and bill to reduce the number of supervisors
of roads in Cauawissa township, also peti-
tion and bill to incorporate company to
make road from Columbia 10 Sullivan CO.
HARRIsBURG, Feb. Q, 1850.
To the Editors of the Star Of the North:
GENTLEMEN Your article on the SUBJ
ject of the Philadelphia and Reading Rail-
road Company has made its appearance
here, and is the subject of universal COM
mendation among all sound demovrats
am sorry, however, 10 say that the bill FOR its
relief has become law. 1t was amended
in some slight particulars, but not in any of
its essentials. No stay of execution is allow
ed on the interest of the bonds The stock.
holders Of the company were made liable
for the debts hereafter contracted, jointly as
partners, by an amendment in the lower
House. But in the Senate, with cunning
known only TO corporations, this amendment
was SO modified as to limit the individual IL
ability of stockholders to mere nothing
Thus, the Senate says the stockholders shall
not be liable for any bond or bonds that may
hereafter be given for old debts, or for any
bond or bonds payable in 1870, given in lieu
of bonds due in 1850. And, further, no
stockholder shall be liable until the company is
first sued and its assets exhausted You will re-
collect that by the provisions of the bill the
company cannot be sued until 1870! This
is little the most barefaced imposition that
ever was palmed upon one hundred and
thirty-three men protesting 10 be entirely
sane.
Yet am sorry TO say that the House Of
Representatives concurred in the amendment
made by the Senate, by vote Of 40 yeas TO
40 nays.
1t is time that the press, and more particu-
larly the democratic press, would speak out
upon this subject. Corporations with special
privileges and immense powers, are growing
up in our midst and even now control. TO o
great extent, almost all the great interests of
Pennsylvania. During the whole time that
this bill was before the Legislature, the halls
of the Capitol and the hotels in town were
crowded with borers, shavers stock -jobbers
and INSCRIPTIONS spectators. They watch
ed every turn in the prospects of the bill
crowded around the seats Of members, kept
tally of every vote, and gave 10 each other
the knowing wink. Then away to the Of
fee of the magnetic telegraph TO let their
partners in speculation and corruption in the
different cities know the result, so as to give
the rise or fall in stocks. 1t is surprising as
well as painful to see how wide around the
Hall the giant spread its arms, and TO see the
members falling into its support one by one
until its purposes were accomplished. But
it is at least some consolation to know that
there were few who stood firm and resist
ed all its temptations First and foremost a.
mong these was Andrew Beaumont, from
your neighboring county He raised the
voice of alarm at the first appearance of the
bill, and recorded his vote against it in every
stage of its progress. He is always at his
post too, and extremely quick in his percep-
tions. Not only this, but he is sound and
radical as democrat in all his principles.
Yours, &c. JUSTICE.
NoTE.-The above letter is from demo-
cratic member of the Legislature, who, for
his friendly notice Of our article OF last week
has our best thanks. We are pleased TO find
our views upon the infamous plot of the
Reading Railroad Company concured in by
such men as our correspondent and the forty
honest members who voted with him on this
question. Though the bill has passed, and
the plunderers have consummated their out
rage yet we would thousand times rather
stand life.long with the minority, than yield
for moment to the clamor of corruption g.
wrong, bloated by triumph and inglorious
spoils.-Eds. Star.
From The NJ Y Commercial advertiser.