The mountain sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1844-1853, 1853-04-14

man, Foster, Sklliner and flanlgen, the motto!
was agreed 70, yeas 81, nays 10.
APPROPRIATION BILL.
The general appropriation bill was then taker
up pending the question on the section author
ling the Governor and State Treasurer TO anti
-cipate the revenue Of the Comm ouwealth fol
1853 and 1854, by procuring loans to be REIN
bursed as the means may be received into the
treasury.
Mr.. Merriman was opposed to the mode Of
raising money in the manner indicated in the
Mr.. Kilbourn advocated the measure, for the
reason that the money to be raised was to be
appropriated for the specific purpose of compile
ting the Saratoga railroad and the North Branch
egnal.
. Mr.. HarT thought the source relied upon for
disbursement of the loan desired, was precari-
-. md Questionable one, and If more tempo
rorv loon ,v..q assigned, he had no objection 70
II. but 10 mike if ,ei,,d on the excess OF re
ceipts in the treasury he shauiG oppose 1t. lie
would not lend his aid to increase the Pc 'uieii'
Indebtedness of the Commonwealth.
Mr. Merriman was opposed to the section.
and although II was necessary that an appropri-
alton should be made, and the money had from
some source, yet he was opposed to this mode of
obtaining the money
After some remarks from Mr.. Barr, the sec
ton was agreed to.
The 89th section of the bill being under con
sideration, it was moved to amend by reducing
the appropriation for the North Branch canal,
relaying the track on the Columbia railroad, and
the avoidance of the inclined planes the Por-
tage railroad from five hundred and thirteen
thousand TO four hundred and sixty three thous-
and dollars.
After some debate between Messrs. Flanigen
and Chase, the sum of three hundred thousand
dollars was appropriated to the North Branch
canal, one hundred and eighty y-seven thousand
to the Columbia Railroad, and four hundred and
sixty-three thousand dollars to the Portage
railroad.
The question Of appropriations to the works
and improvements above mentioned was earnest
ly and ably argued by Messrs. Strong and Dun
ming, and especially the Importance ofthe North
Branch canal, which, it was contended would, if
completed, prove of the greatest and most
productive sources of revenue which the State
ever had or could possess
Mr.. Wharton, while he wished that all pros
perity might attend the completion of the North
Branch canal, doubtful of the estimates
which had been submitted, and he objected 10
the project of taking any sum away from theap-
preparation to the Portage railroad for the puT-
pose of completing the North Branch canal, and
he earnestly objected to any abandonment of the
work for the avoidance of the inclined planes,
being so much like superlative folly, either on
the part of the last or the present Legislature.
He was for providing sufficient means for the
completion of both, and if the House would go
for it. he would add his influence TO carry it,
but ne would not consent that the avoidance of
the Portage road should be IN any way leopard
lied
Mr.. Henderson thought it conceded fact
that sufficient appropriation should be made
for the completion of the North Branch canal,
but he was opposed to making any appropriation
to either until it could be understood and some
guarantee given that the money would be faith
fully expended. He thought the hetter disposi-
ton of the matter would be either to sell or lease
the public works to companies, and thus relieve
herself from the immense corruptons which
their continuance in the hands of the Common
wealth engenders- .
Mr.. Merriman disagreed with the views last
expressed. He thought when it was ascertained
that specific would complete the works
and place the State in full possession of her
works completed it was polite and advisable.
especially in view of the immense sums which
had already been expended. 1t was very i'm
portant however, to ascertain where the money
was to come from bat if it could be had, let 1t
be appropriated, and the revenue derivGbe from
their completion be permitted to How into the
treasury.
Mr. Kelso said he should vote against the ap-
propriation asked for. They ought to withhold
until the question of sale of the main line Of
the public works was decided. 1t had been
shown that the statements of the Canal ComnIs-
sioners were false, and conveyed false Impress
ions to the public mind, and they could not
De felleu on, present liIliS was '''A9tA
cious for their sale, it ought TO be done, and the
cause of corruption which was now desolatlng
the State destroyed. Owing to the msmanage-
ment Of the public works. capital was driven
from the State, and the energies Of the people
depressed by the present incubus, which now
pressed on the public by reason OF the possess
ion and management of the public works by the
public officers of the Commonwealth
Mr. Wharton said, in reply to the gentleman
from Erie, Mr. Kelso) l am in favor of the sale
Of the main lipe of the Pennsylvania impro 'e-
ments, and to effect that object, 1t is the pohcy
Of this House to make the appropriation asked
for by the Committee of Ways and Means, for
the Portage railroad. Mr. Strongs bill propo-
ses to take S15 ,OOO,0 900 for the main line
Now Mr.. Speaker, if we refuse to make the APP
preparation asked for, and by so doing, show to
the world that we are about to abandon our I'M
provements it would have such an effect upon
purchasers that it would have a great tendency
to prevent the sale. l say again to this House
that we should make the appropriation, and
then pass the bill for the sale of the public
works, and my word for it, Pennsylvania will
never again be called for another approprla-
ton. But if refuse the appropriation, we
abandon public works and we will never
therefore be able TO sell the works. 1t Penn
sylvania can get Si5,000.000 for the main line
she can we'll afford to make appropriation Of
$500 OOO and then have such price for the
main line as will enable Pennsylvania to pay hei
immense debt in the next fifteen years.
Mr. Walton conld not and would not by his
vote. consent to say further addition to the pub
tic debt. He was in favor of the completion Of