The mountain sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1844-1853, 1850-01-10

should il be deemed necessary, TO meet
deficiencies in the funds provided for any
line of improvements; 10 draw from spe-
ciic appropriation for that purpose, re4ui-
ring from them detailed and special re-
port on the subject, 10 the auditing depart
ment as well as TO the succeeding Legisla-
ture.
The avoidance ofthe Scuhylkill Incli-
ned Plane, and the Improvements connec-
ting with the Columbia and Philadelphia
Railroad. which are in rapid progress OF
construct on, must materially increase the
business of that public thoroughfare, and
will render the relaying Of portion OF the
said road, work Of absolute necessity.
In the performance of this work, should
the Legislature authorize it good policy
would seem to require, so far as the means
fthe Treasury will permit, that one track
at.least should be laid with heavy rail;
and it is worthy Of consideration whe Their
the public interests would not be greatly
subserved, by a location of the new track e,
so as to avoid the many short curvatures
on the eastern end of said road. They in
crease the danger to passengers d freight,
forbid a dispatch safely performed on a
straight line and require greater force than
would be necessary on direct track with
higher grades. In the event Of the Leg
islature authorizing the relaying of the
eastern section of the said road, AID the
change of location before mentioned, due
regard 10 the public interests andthe Inn
tied resources. of the Treasury would seem
to demand that the improvement should
commence at an early day, and progress
from yeer to year as the revenues would
warrant, until it should be completed.
The Portage Railroad, from the compile
tion of our line Of Improvements to the
present time, has been a serious obstacle
TO the business ofthe community, and the
occasion Of trade seeking other channels
10 the Atlantic markets. Any mode,
therefore, of essening this eyil,must meet
The hearty concurrence Of the citizens.
The sum OF FIVE hundred thousand dol
lars judiciousy expended wall avoid all
the short levels, and four of the five In
ciined Planes on the western slope of the
Allegheny. The annual expense OF
maintaining these Planes is not less than
ten thousand dollars for each Plane, and
fto that amount be added the cost Of the
short levels, and the peris liable nature OF
the materials connected with these works,
with the delays and risks incident therto,
the annual amount for their maintenance,
cannot be less then enc hundred thousand
doilars.-Were these Planes avoided, and
thosesan the eastern slope of the noun.
tam repaired, the commerce on the Public
Works, would be facilitated and increased
and the Pennsylvania Central Railroad
Company would find il their interest for
many years to use 1t in connection with
their great improvement.
During the last season, the scarcity o
water on the upper portion of the Wes
tern Division of the Pennsylvania Canal
materially injured the character of the
Public Works, d diminished the revenue
from that source not less than $50, 900. Tt
guard against recurrence of this evil, i
Is recommended that the Western Reser
vo!r, in the construction of which the sum
ofsxty thousand dollars has been expen
ded, be completed. The estimated amour
required for its completion is $40, 900
and would, in the opinion OF The Executive
be a Judicious appropriation.
1t has been suggested that an aleratio
IN the canal locks by making them con
form to the shape Of the bottom of tn
bats, would not only siregthen them
but would be a saving of water Thi
might be effected. if deemed of suffic;en
importance, by the insertion of woodel
bottoms, in such manner as to produce tn
results indicated.
BY the reports Of the Auditor Genera
and State Treasurer, mode under the d
reCtlons of the act of the 10Th of Abr
lei9, It appeared that after the paymer
OF the interest on the public debt, and tn
liquidation and payment of other claim
for which appropriations had been mad
by the Legislature, and retaining d req
sonable balance in the Treasury, the SUI
OF Si5O,OOO might. with safety; be apple
TO the completion Of the y orth Branch ca
nal. L accordingly gave immediate M
tce 1.-THE fact to the Canal Commissioner:
and portions of the work, it is understood
have been placed under contract. Coz
sIdered as u part Of the Pubic Improv,
ments, and recommended as revenu
measure, that work sh oud be fuishe
a. the earliest day the condition of th
Treasury will permit. 1t should not |
forgotten, that the present unfinished COZ
dition ofthe work, by interrupting the fre
navigtlon Of the river; by the destructic
OF roads and injury to private propert,
without affordng any convenience to tt
community, lnfiicts wrong which
mands immediate reparation. La additic
to the sum already appropriated. il
co1hde ntly believed that 100000 ca
with ProprIety, Be given 10 that improv
heht IN The present season; and in II