The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1851-02-17
Our Harrisburg correspondence.

HARRisBUao, Pa, Feb. :, 1851.
The Tariff ia The PsnnsylrGnia LCgisldtpre-- The
Reading Railroad, SC.
The business before the Legislature, now in the
sixth week Of its session, has been of the duliest
charac er, until within the last four or five days
past, when the several instrucung resolutions to
our Senators, &c in Congress, relative to mo1i.
hcauon OF the tariff, were taken up in both branches
The ball first openes in the Senate, on Mr..
Walkers series OF resolves, Of decidedly wing
stamp, and opposed by counter resolution. Of those
on the opposite side Of politics. Able discussions
were had as well in the Senate, by Senator San
derson, in opposition, and Mr.. Bonham, of the
House, TO any change, or modification of the ex-
istng tariff, except it was for the benefit OF all
classes Of citizens alike The Senator, however,
declared himse opposed 10 Tree trade, whilst the
representative expressed his conycton that no
change was necessary, for numerous reasons,
which he assigned al great length, in an elaborate
ard able speech.
The READING Railroad Company is still in trihu-
latioD, perhaps more 20 than al any former period
Of IT'S existence After having appe AIRED within the
walls Of the capitol, last year, as mentIcant-
although strongly, and not without regson-sus-
ct,d and charged in the public prints, with having
ustd large sums 10 secure the object u hal IN
view, OF an unconstitutional Jaw ostensiby for the
-,
after yeai Of unexsmpled prosperity, declaring
dividend, without making any provision or the
Day ment of their bonds. Such repre- henslble col.
duct has teen made the subject OF comment, not
ONLY by the press Of cur SAFE, particularly in tn.
Schuylk region, but else by very large meetings
of operators and miners, who have for a series OF
years been ground down into the dust by this over
bearing and oppressive corporation. As an indca.
ton 81 public sentiment, committee has arrived
here from PottsviIle, laden with numerous petit
lions tor new railroad - Philadelphia, conn ecung
with the Nouistown Railroad. The petition
deem ct 90 much impoTtance, and involving, as u
dUes, the prosperity and best interests OF the coal
region, that inolose IL for publication -
ITO the Honorable the Senate aud lloute OF Re-
prestniAuytssi the Commonwealth Of Pennsylva
Eir-fbe petition OF the subscribers, citizens OF
Schuyikill county, respectfully representsI-
That the coal trade 81 Schuylhlll county is
greatly trsmmeled by the enormous rates charged
ny the transpor' alton companies, whose capital
(maiHiy through mismsnagt ment, and in attempt
NO 10 exercise an undue control over the trade and
the business Of the people has grown to the enOr-
nlnus suTn ~ about twesty seven millions OF doll
lsrr, while the came improve fnents could have
been made, under proper Management, for about
tn az twelve millions That these companies
pprsIst iD tantng the trade Of this region and the
valley ~ The Sohuy lkill with rates to pay large
dividend on this inyt stmtni, when Il Is known
that nearly one half Of This capital Is not rea but
was ere ated by giving doer bonds for about fifty
cents 10 money your petitioners agree that every
man who invf sig money tor the benefit OF the pub
ne NW1Ht 70 ne tfuluntfhltO hu0 pau ldH ulVl-
dtrd on the invesiment-and II the present rail-
road ccmpany would charge a rate that would pay
q eir dividend actual capital, properly and pru-
d. ntlY invested, srd accommodate the public, they
would have 10 right IN cump'sin; but when We
know that the Philadelphia and Rsuding Railroad
Company has fquandered this money. and now
persist in tramfneliing the trade, checking tse de.
vtlopt utnt 81 our resources, enhancing, ne price
Of the neceesarics Of life. dimn shing The valus Of
property, end reducing The revenues a the Conn
ncnwealth, hey contider i their boJudea duty .