Lewisburg chronicle. [volume] (Lewisburg, Pa.) 1850-1859, 1854-01-06

be cause Of qualification to the people of the en-.
tire State.
! Most auspcious and promising is it for the en-
terprising Inhabitants OF northern Pennsy vanis,
TO whose untiring efforts its final consumstio
may he mainly attributed. Through this channel,
in the early part Of next season, and during each
succeeding year, Pennsy yIvania will send greeting
to the people Of a neishborng s,ate-the evidence
OF fraterna sff-ction-the assurance of political
/. fidelity, aud the blessings Of an extended COM
mercc, in the shape Of inland vessels, freighted
with her richest minerals iand receive in return,
She certainly will be oered from the vast vallies
of the Empire Stale, now teemng with wealth in
all It's varieties. assurances Of full reciprocity, in
affection, fidelity and commerce. And in due
time the Golfers Of the State, am confident, will
receive ample reward from these relations
OF trade. Indeed, this point the large increase
Of profits the old line, for the year just closed,
furnishes the most reliable indication Of what We
may anticipate from the new. The constantly in.
creasing demand for coal, outrunning, as it has
done for years past, the means Of supply, iustes,
it does not force upon us the Conclusion, that so
soon as boats can be constructed, and proper bu-
siness connections formed, this canal will be pa
tronized up 10 its full capacity. glance at the
vast, rich and Populous section OF country which
1t will be called upon TO supply with coal, for
every imaginable purpose, domestic, mechanical
and manufacturing, and at the facilities afforded
by the New York canals and The lakes, to reach all
the points Of that country, must satisfy the most
skeptical as to the value and importance Of this
improvement.
| | congratulate you, therefore, upon the consul
mai ion Of an enterpnze which will be thus profit
able to the State, and beneficial TO the people.
The expedency OF selling the public works has
been a topic Of discussion in the press OF tho
State, for some months past, and without indicat-
ing policy for the General Assembly, or intend
IL. a3a
TO whom the management Of this branch OF pub.
lie affair. has been confded, have deemed il my
duty discuss some Of the considerations incident
to and growing out of the proposition.
! Indeed, it would be unreasonable TO assume
either the affirmative negat Of the uestion,
and expect To be properly understood. without
some explanation as to the price Of the works and
the conditions of sale.
1t is fair TO presume that those who advocate
the affirmative have distinct ideas as to what the
price should be, aud that unless such considera-
tion can be realized they would agree to sell.
/ The first inquiry, therefore, is, why should
these works be sold? The answer usually given
is, that the MEASURE Is necessary to reduce the
State debt, and to relieve the people from taxa
iion. These are great objects indeed, and should,
as have no doubt they will, receive your earnest
consideration their realization, however, must
depend mainly upon the price obtained.
Should the interest on the public debt li1uidated
The works, then It would be false economy sell.
In that Case the measure would not be OF re.
lief to lhe people, but must necessarily increase
their yearly burthens.
And what reason is there to suppose that more
ran be ob'ained? E? Capitalists, it will be conceded,
when weighing the question Of a purchase, will
make the net profits on their investments the basis
of all their calculations. They will look a, The
past operations Of these works, in connection with
their prospucts in the fu.ure-carefuy consider
ing every fact and circumstance bearing on their
real value: aud, II is scarcely necessary to re-
marx, will only buy when perfectly satisfied -
they have the best of th. --ea'". In attempting
10 determine the question Of value, it will be per-
ceived, therefore, that the inquiries, examinations
and motives Of buyer and seller, must necessarily
be Identical.
1t is apparent then that the effect OF competition
on the value OF these work, the inroads which
may be made by science and mechanic art,
every description of transportation faciiiies now
IN existence; the casualties that may result
TO them from the elements; in short, the muiabi-
y OF human structures. and the ProPriety OF sim
piyIng the duties OF government, must constitute
mainly the considerations in favor Of u separation
between the State and her Improvements.
| On The other hand will be presented the hopes
of future business and increased profits to the
treasury, predicated upon the rapid growth Of the
Commonwealth; her vast and varied resources,
and the influence of these upon transportation
lcili,es to transport her products to market the
lendless consumption and unlimited supply OF ner
great staples Of coal and iron, and their proximity
TO her works at all points the enlarged products
OF agriculture, and the rich variety OF manufac-
lures, so rapidly multiplying in every part Of the
State, constituting at once home business, with
ages OF duration before it, which no human agency
can disturb, and which must contribute at all
times fair income TO the government. In addi-
ton TO these considerations against a salh may be
H..
the creation Of a number Of corporations, having
"a community of interests and feeling with smnIIar
bodies already in existacce, and the danger Of thus
inducing the organization of a controlling power in
the Commonwealth.
But it is said that companies manage these
works with greater skill and economy than the
State, and for that reason they would be most val
liable in the hands OF the former, and that the
State can realize the difference by sale. II must
be confessed, that it is these considerations, and
these only, that we can look for arguments tos
tain the idea that the State gain anything. Pc
cuniarily, by the sale Of her Improvements. That
the differences in the expenses OF the management
of the works would amount to a fair per centage
in the estimation Of some capitalists, have no
doubt; but it is not so great estimated by
Indeed, certain portions OF our own works are now
well managed, and it is hoped and believed that
such changes can be made in the system Of direc-
ton prac ,iced by the State, to lead to gen.
eral skill and economy.
But the main question will be the minimum
price that shall be fixed on these Improvements
and the proper disposition of this, it must be read
Iy seen, will demand much careful examination.
And in reference to this point, the wises and best
may honestly differ, for the issue belongs mainly
10 the future, and can only be anticipated from
the results Of the past. To these we may look
for a moment.
For the years 1852 and 1853, the net receipts
may be put down as equal to the annual interest
upon about fifteen millions Of the public debt
and am inclined to believe that, without any in.
re- So of trade excanf tho Nnxth Ranch tho