Jeffersonian Republican. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1840-1853, 1851-03-13
TOTAL
Tanning Business.
REORGANIZATION Of the Canal Board.

Value of do $253,s55
REORGANIZATION Of the Canal Board.
In accordance with the suggestion of Governor
JOHNSTON, in his late annual message to the
Legislature, Mr.. Penniman, from the Committee
on Inland Navigation, in the House of Representa-
tves has reported bill for the reorganization of
the Board of Canal Commissioners, or rather the
abolition of the Board of Canal Commissioners, and
the appointment of a single Superintendent Pub
lie Works in its stead.
This bill authorizes the voters of the State to
elect at the next general election and every three
years thereafter Superintendent of the Public
Works, who shall perform all the duties now en-
Joined by law upon the Canal Commissioners and
such other duties as may be prescribed by law. The
said Superintendent, is to be sworn or affirmed on
entering his office, and shall give bond, with Sc
curitv in the sum of $4,000 He shall be COM
missioned BY the Governor but shall, for misde
meanor in office, be removed by the Governor on
the address of majority of all the members elect
ed to each House of the General Assembly. Pro
rided, that in case of vacancy, by death, resgna-
ton, or otherwise, the Governor shall appoint, to
serve until successor is elected and qualified
The Superintendent shall have the entire manage
ment of the public works belonging to the State
and shall devote his whole time to the public SER
vice and shall keep his office in the Capitol. He
shall appoint for three years Superintendent Of
Motive Power ON the Allegheny portage railroad,
and one Supervisor for each division of the Canal,
if he thinks so many are required; also Collectors
and Weighmasters
The Superintendent is authorized to appoint
Secretary, at $500 per annum.
The Superintendent shall visit each division at
least three times each year, and shall require from
the superintendent or supervisor monthly reports
in writing, showing in detail the state of division
or section under his supervision; the nature of the
repairs done since last report the amount of money
expended, and the amount of money due, together
with the name Of every person to whom money has
been paid, or is due, and for what purposes, the
number and names Of engineers, fremen mechan-
les, laborers and others employed on the several
lines respectively, and the amount Of wages or sal.
airy paid to each per day or week.
The Superintendent is required to make an an
nual report to the Legislature, in which he shall
show the receipts and expenditures Of each line or
division, including the motive power, and the re-
ceipts and expenditures on the railroads belonging
to the State.
A revenue bureau shall be established in the
Superntendant's office, and he shall appoint a
competent person to discharge the duties, which
shall be to examine the object Of tolls generally,
and by comparison of the rates of tolls published
by the Superintendent and incorporated companies
of this State ard of other States, to arrive at a
knowledge of the most efficient mode of increasing
the revenue from the public works. He shall re-
ceiye 81 800 per annum.
An Engineers bureau" shall also be estab-
lished, the head to be appointed by the Superin-
tendent. His duties shall extend to all the canals
and railroads belonging to the State, and he shall
keep record of his proceedings in book. He
shall make all the surveys and explorations rela-
tive to the public works, estimates of the cost of
new work, or for repairs, and such other duties as
may be required. He shall make an annual report
annum.
The Superintendents of Motive Power on the
Columbia Railroad and the Portage Railroad shall
have the entire management of said roads respec-
lively.
We have no hesitancy in saying that the proVi-
sions of this bill seems to be admirably calculated
to insure an efficient and energetic management
of the Public Works. The change is perhaps a
little more radical than that contemplated by the
! Governor, and the organization more complicated,
stiff, and unwieldly, but that it would work to far
greater advantage than the present system can
hardly admit of a doubt
The appointment of the State Engineer, or Spe-
cial Superintendent of repairs, is measure that
is imperatively demanded under any system and
whatever may be the fate of the bill, we hope this
particular feature of it will be adopted under any
circumstances.
There seems to be a very general dissatisfaction
"a dissatisfaction reaching to both political par
ties-with the present organization of the Canal