The Wyandot pioneer. (Upper Sandusky, Ohio) 1853-1868, 1853-12-22

sale of the Public Works.

f We have observed that a portion OF the
press of Pennsylvania are earnestly advo-
eating the sale of the Public Works ofthat.
State. If we remember correctly, the
last General Assembly of Ohio had before
them bill pertaining to the sale of the
Public Works of this State. For some
reason. however, the measure receivedno
definite action. and, comparatively speak
ing, but little attention. Although this
subject has been agitated but little by the
public press, yet the people are awake to
its importance, and many are urging the
propriety of such step.
The Public Works of Ohio have costthe
people an enormous sum, and may be con-
sidered, at least part Of them, as endur-
ingmonuments of "hasty and inconsiderate
Legislation Whilst portion yield the
State revenue over and above the annual
cost for repairs. DC, the balance fail to
even do this-and we know we are correct
when we state, that these Works have
never met, nor came near meeting, the in
terest on the cost of construction. The
cost of constructing the Public Works,
which consist of the Ohio Canal, Miami
and Erie Canal, Muskingum Improvement,
Walhonding Canal, Hooking Canal, &c,
is from fifteen to twenty millions ofdollars.
1t is not to be expected that these Works
will sell at this time for anything like their
actual cost. Nor are they, now when our
State is covered all over with Rail Roads,
with which it is impossible for Canals to
compete, worth what they were a few
years ago; nor will they, few years
hence. be worth what they are at the pres
ent period. The necessity, therefore, TO,
immediate action must be obvious to all
who give the subject serious thought.
These Works have ever been grievous
burthen to the Tax payers of Ohio. The
enormous public debt, which has long
hnng like an incubus upon the industry
and energies of the people of the State. was
mainly caused by these ,n.provemeuts.--
The Taxpayers are groaning yearly un.
der heavy taxes, in part required to meet
the indebtedness, caused by the construc-
ton, and necessary to keep olive, these, te
some extent, "scum- covered ditches'
Such being the case, it is not at all sur
prising that the people should begin to cas-
about to see if some means cannot be de
vised and adopted for removing the mon
ster evil, from which they have SO long
and SO patiently suffered. That the dis
posal of the Public Works, at any price
would afford immediate relief, must b.
apparent to every rejecting mind. In thu
hands Of private companies these Work.
might be made source of profit, at leas
it SO said by those fully competent o
judging-whilst now, as we have befor,
said, and as the people-the Tax payers
know By sad experience, they are &c;
burthen grievous to be born" W.. sa,
sEII-sell for fair price if it can be OBJ
tained-if not, sell to the highest bidder.
We should be glad to see this matter re
ceive that attention, in every quarter
which its great importance demands. w
hope that Governor MzD1LL, whose exten
sive experience with the public affairs 0
the State, renders him thoroughly familia
with the subjectin all its bearings, Wi
, bring it to the attention of the General AS
sembly in his first annualmessage. And
f we earnestly hope that the next Legisla
ture, composed as tits of number Of wise
able and judicious men, will give the sub
ject an earnest, serious and favorable con
> sideration-a consideration commensurate
with its Importance.
, When we are able to place our han
upon the Annual Report of the Auditor
State, and gather some statistics which W
have not now at our command, we sha
recur to the subject again Ohio Patrio
Terrible Rail Road Riot.