Jeffersonian Republican. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1840-1853, 1851-01-16
S4,10l.30O


In the item Of expenditure for public im>
provements, is included 5l4S, 800 paid to-
North Branch Canal, and $3.50, ,446 02 to a.
void Inclined Plane.
In the amounts received from Canal and
railroad tolls and collateral inheritance taxes
the actual receipts Of the last year fall short
of the estimates. In making these estimates,
it was supposed the suggestion of a former
message in relation 10 the conveyance of pas
sengers on the Columbia Railway would have
been favorably regarded 1t is believed that
largely increased revenue would attend the
adoption OF the changes heretofore recomrnen-
ded. That the collateral inheritance tax is
ineficiently and carelessly collected in some
ofthe counties, and even when collected Ge-
quently retained In the hands Of the officers
longer than necessary, is demonstrate by
the fact of the great disproportion received at
the Treasury from counties of equal popula>
ton, business, and wealth. A statement Of
the amounts received from the several coun-
ties during the last four years, will exhibit
much valuable information on the the inter-
esting question ofinequality oftaxation appli-
cable 10 the sinking fund should be required
10 reach The Treasury quarterly under the se-
verest penalties.
A reference to the reports OF the Adutant
General, Auditor General, Surveyor General,
and Superintendent Of Common Schools, will
afford detailed information Of the business Of
their several departments, and furnish views
and suggestions ofinterest To the general veal.
The school system, although still imper-
feet, is rapidly improving in lis general condi-
ton, and promises the beneficial results twas
designed to accomplish. The education ofthe
people, is the great question of the age, and as
such, il cannot fail to command your earnest
and enlightened efforts, for its speedy and ul.
innate success.
In the competition for trade and travel, no
effort for the full repair ofthe canals and rail-
roads Of the State should be neglected. The
deteriorating condition ofmany ofthese works
admonish US that the system OF fsupervison is
Intellectual 10 secure the return Of which their
construction gave confident assurance. In
system ofdvided responsibility in their man.
agement, the difficulty evidently exists. On
former occasion twas suggested to divide
the State into Canal and Railway districts,
and allot to each Canal Commissioner, TO
whom its entire control should be given
This project is again recommended, but should
il fail to meet your appreciation, the propo-
sition Of electing a Superintendent, TO whom
for his whole time and attention, compenA
sating salary should be paid, and under whose
sole control The public works might be placed
is worthy Of consideration. All the evils "a
rising from divided counsels and shifting re-
sponsbities would be avoided, and that en-
ergy and skill in their management secured
which cannot be expected under the present
system. II is alleged this method ofsuPervi-
sion ofpublic works has succeeded well and
benefcially in otner States.
commercial connection between Philadelphia
and Europe by steamships.--an enterprise truly
worthy the favoring regards of the whole com
moDw ealth and the countenance and aid of the
national government, by the extension of mail fac
iltes-the completion of the great Railway com
municaiioB now in rapid progress of construction
TO the nayigable waters of the West, the thorough
repair Of the Cumberland Valley road, and the g
rection of various lines of Railways in the valley
Of the SusquehanDa, must throw an amount o.
trade on the Columbia Railroad which will de-
mand for It's transi, the entire capacity of tina
Ihoroughfare in condition Of perfect repair.
Every avenue by which the trade of the West
as well as of Central and Northern Pennsylvania
reaches Philadelphia, ought 10 be opened and