Democrat and sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1853-1866, 1853-08-26
Patterson, James Shannon and William r.
Very truly yours, -
DANIEL BROPHY,
HENRY L. DOWNEY,
ANDREW PURCELL,
A

ANDREW PURCELL,
DANIEL McMANAMY.
II will he observed that the committee charge:
First that Mr. Phelps, while acting as assistant
superintendent Of the Portage road, was part
ncr in contract to furnish crOss-ties for the new
road, &c. This charge was sustained, and IL was
also shown that the foreman ofthe machine shop
at JOhstown was partner
The contract price Of these ties was thirty y-uFe
cents per tie.
had been purchased by the contractors from 9TH
er parties, at from twenty-three to twenty-five
cents. But there was no evidence to show that,
at the time the allotment was made, there was
any bid below thirty-iiYe cents.
Notwithstanding this, the Board feel called up
on publicly to express their disapprobation OF
the practice Of officers of the State being contIac-
tors for furnishing materials, or otherwise
The Legislature has very properly, provided
that no member Of either branch of that body,
nor Canal Commissioners superintendent, or su-
pervisor shall have any interest IN any contract
whatever on the public Improvements OF the
State.
The spirit of this wise provision, it seems TO
MS would apply with equal force to all those hol-
ding Office under the Canal Board.
1t Is believed that no officer connected with
the improvements nO1r, has any contract for itr-
nishing materials, either for repairs or new work;
nor has the Board any knowledge Of such con-
tract having existed the present year. IL IS true
that some of the ties referred TO were delivered m
der a continuation Of the contract which had
been entered into last year.
1t may not be improper TO state, III tins con-
nectiOn, that shortly after the organization OF the
Board, requiring the superintcndents ofthe rail-
roads and the SuperviSors on the canals. before
contracting for um Der or other material, for the
repairs Of the railroads and canals, to give public
notice by handbills. that sealed proposals would
be received for furnishing such materials might
be required and that in all cases the allOtmcnts
10 40
&c. Had it occurred TO the Board that officer,
in any manner connected with the improvements,
would become a bidder, they would have directed
that their bids should be rejected. Every thing
having CreR the appearance Of ditlsI0H between Of
ficers of the same department Of the public ser
vice, ought to be discOuntenancCd. There are
men enough, wholly disconnected with the Canal
Board, who would at all times be willing to fur
nish any quantity and at as low rates, at least,
as they would be furnished by officers Of the
State. Besides, If there be any profit in this bus
mess, 1t would be more appropriately distributed
among those who receive nothing from the State,
in the shape of emOluments of office, than those
who do.
The Board cannot close this brief report with
out assuring the public generally, and the opera
tives in the service of the State especially that
they viii bring the difficulties which have been so
justly complained Of to the attention Of the Leg
lslaturc, IN their next annual report, and VIII
urge upon that department Of the government
the absolute necessity Of providing at once for
the payment Of all back debts on this as well as
the other lines ofimprOycment throughout the
State and VIII also urge the proPriety of appro-
priating at early day, sufficient sum to meet
the current expenses ofthe neXtyear. We know
that such a recommendation viii be cordially
cOncuTTed in by our worthy Governor, whose
Sympathes are always with the laboring classes.
That the Legislature VIII respond promptly 10
the suggestion, we viii not d0abt. Let this be
done, and the hands can be paid at the end ofey-
cry month, and we sEall not again be subjected
to the modification of knowing that honest and
industrious creditors of the State have been COM
PEELED to sacrifice One-tenth part of oftherearnings.
WILLIAM T. MORRISON,
SETH CLOVER.
WILLIAM HOPKINS.
CANAL COMMISSIONERS OFFICE.
Harrisburg, Pa, July 3Oth, 1858.