The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1854-01-12

the increasing demand for facilities to trans
nit her products to market; the endless con-
sumption and unlimited supply of her great
staples of coal and iron, and their proximity
to her works at all points; the enlarged pro-
ducts of agricultural, and the rich variety
| of manufacturers so rapidly multiplying in ev-
cry part of the State, constituting at once a
home business, with ages OF duration Geiore
| it, which no human agency can disturb, ana
which must contribute at all times 1alr III
come to the government. In addition to
these considerations against a>sale, may be
urged the necessity which would be presen-
lted for the creation of a number OF corpora
tions having a community of interest and
feeling with similar bodies already IN exist
tence and the danger of thus inducing the
oaranization of the controlling power In the
! Commonwealth.
But it is said that companies can manage
these works with greater skill and economy
than the State and for that reason they
would be most valuable in the hands of the
former, and that the State can realize this
difference by SALE 1t must be confessed
that it is to these considerations, and these
only, that we can look for arguments to sus
tain the idea that the State can gain any
thing, pecuniarily, by sale Of her improve
ments That the difference in the expenses
of the management of the works would a
mount to fair per centage, in the estima
tion OF some capitalists, | have no doubt; but
it is not SO great as estimated by some. III
! deed, certain portions of our own works are
now we'll managed, and it is hoped and be
lieyed that such changes can be made in the
system of direction now practiced by the
STATE, as to lead to general skill and econo
| my.
But the main question will he the mini
mum price that shall be fixed On thes i'm
provements; and the proper disposition o!
this, it must be readily seen will demand
much careful examination. And in reference
to this point the wisest and best may honest
| ly differ for the issue belongs mainly to the
future and can only be anticipated from the
results of the past To these we may look
| for moment.
For the years 1852 and 1853, the net re-
ceipts may be put down as equal to the an
nual interest upon about fifteen millions of
the public debit and am inclined to believe
that, without any increase of trade except
on the North Branch, the net profits for the
ensuing year may be estimated at sum
equal to the interest on seventeen or eighteen
millions Of the debt, and that the completion
of the road over the mountains, or relief in
some other way, from the leeching demands
Of that portion Of improvements, will see
the net revenues, from this source, swelled to
sum equal to the interest upon twenty-five
millions of the State bonds
If it be desirable to sell the public works,
we should not underate their Importance nor
is it just to disparage the wisdom Of their
founders We are prone to murmer against
the policy that dictated their constructions
because of the debt we have thus incur
red, and yet, if the proposition were sub
mitted to cancel this liability by their de-
struction or disuse, we should be compell-
ed to reject it.
At the time of its adoption, this policy
was necessary and proper Avenues Of
this kind through the body of the State,
to convey her vast productions to market,
are as indispensable to hervigorous growth
and physical development as are the veins
and arteries to the human system, to give
circulation to the blood and consequent
health and vigor to the body To step or
clog these, in either case, would produce
stagnation and ultimate destruction.
Without reference to the abstract ques-
ton of a sale, / may say, that under no
circumstances should we entertain the pro-
position to part with the public works by
the creation of joint stock company, as
heretofore repeatedly proposed, by which
the Commonwealth is to remain large
shareholder, but the direction to be in the
hands Of individuals Oh corporations asso-
ciated with her in the ownership l have
always regarded this as most dangerous
and lnsdious measure. If the proposition
to sell be seriously entertained, under the
present condition of the money market it
should be based Oh the idea of bona fde
sale, for full compensation, in exchange
for the bonds Of the State, and under such
salutary reservations and restrictions as
the interests Of the people may demand.
But it is urged by many that the States
system of managing the public works is
susceptible OF Improvement - that much |
can be done by judicious reforms to aug
ment the receipts to the treasury, and fac
llltate the businessof transportation and, |
as much of this system results from positive
law, it may not be deemed oflicious on
my part to make suggestions on the sub
ject
In a special message, communicated to
the General Assembly soon after my in
ducton into office, | advocated the. policy
OF making cash payment for labor and ma
terials, and the interdictions by law of the
creation OF debt by the officers ON the pub
lie works, and made allusion to other rad
ical defects in the system, which could
scarcely be reached by the Canal Board. 4
To some Of these shall now briefly al
lude
In the first place, it is impossible to t
AVOID the creation of debts, if the appro- {
pflatlon be insufficient to meet unavoida- c