The mountain sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1844-1853, 1851-01-16
S4.IOI,30O

In the item of expenditures for public
Improvements is included Sl4S,5O0 paid
TO North Branch canal and 1886, ,446 OF
TO avoid 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 sug>
gestion of a former message in relation 10
the conveyance of passengers on the
Columbia railway would have been favor
ably regarded. 1t is sill believed that a
largely increased revenue would attend
the adoption of the changes heretofore
recommended. That the collateral inher-
itance tax is inefficenhy and carelessly
collected in some of the counties. and
even when collected frequently retained
in the hands of the officers longer than
necessary, is demonstrable by the fact of
the great dispropOrIion received at the
treasury from counties of equal population,
business, aud wealth. A statement of the
amounts received from the several coun-
ties during the last four years. will exhibit
much valuable information on the inter
esting question of inequality of taxation in
the payment of the public debt. Al! items
of taxation applicable to the sinking fund
should be required To reach the treasury
quarterly under the severest penalties.
A reference 10 the reports of the Adju-
tant General. Auditor General. Survey or
General and Superintendent of Common
wealth schools, will afford detailed infor-
nation of the business OF their several
departments, and furnish views and sug-
gesIions OF interest 10 The general veal.
The school system, although still i'm
perfect, is apidly improving in lis general
condition, and promises the beneficial
results il was designed 10 accomplish
The education of the people is the great
question of the age, and as such 1t cannot
fail TO command your earnest and enlight-
ened efforts for It's speedy and ultimate
success. ~
In the competition for trade and travel
no effort for the full repair of the canals,
and railroads Of the Stale should be ne
elected. The deleriorating condition o
many of these works, admonsh us tina
the system of supervision is Intellectual tC
secure the return of which their construc
ton gave confident assurance. La a system
of divided respons ibility IN their manage
mpni, the difficulty evidently exists. OI
former occasion il was suggested To On
vide lhe Stale into Canal and Railway
districts, and alloi TO each Canal Com
missioner, 10 whom its entire conlFo
should be given. This project is agaiI
recommended, bat should II iaii to meet
/ your appreciation, the proposition OF Sc
| ecling a Superintendanl, to whom for his
whole time and attention, compenSalIns
salary should be paid, aud under whos'
sole control The public works might b'
placed. is worthy of consideration. Al
the evils arising from divided counsels ant
shifting responsibilities would be avoided
and that energy and skill in their manage
ment secured which cannot be expecle'
under the present system. 1t Is alleges
this method OF supervision of public work
has succeeded well and beneiciaily II
| other States.
commercial connection between
Philadelphia and Europe by steamships
| IN enterprise truly worthy the iavorinI
regards OF The whole Commonwealth ant
The countenance and aid of the nationa
government by the extension OF mail ia
| cilites-lhe completion of the great Raj
| way communication now IN rapid progres