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

We are prone to murmer against the policy tha
dictated their construction, because OF the debt
have thus incurred, and yet, If the proposition
were submitted 10 cancel this liability by theii
destruction or disu.e, we should be compelled ,c
reject it.
At the time of its adoption, this policy was ne
cessary and proper. Avenues Of this kind throust
the body Of the State, to convey her vast produc
tons to market, are as Indispensable to her vignr
Gus growth and physical development the
veins and arteries TO the human system, TO give
circulation TO the blood and consequent health and
vsor TO the body. To stop clog these, in eithei
case, would produce s,agnatlon and ultimate de-
stIurtion.
without reference TO the abstract question OF q
sale, may say, thar under nocircumstances shonld
we entertain the proposition part with the pub
lie works by the creation OF joint stock conn y
as heretofore repeatedly proposed, by which the
Commonwealth is to remain a large shareholder
but the direction to be in the hands of individuals
or corporations, associated with her in the owner
ship. l have always egarded this a most dan
serous and nsidious measure. IL the proposition
to sell be seriously entertained, under the present
condition Of tile money market, it should be based
on the idea Of bona fde sale, for full compen.
saton, 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 oI
improvemeut-ihat much can be done by ludicious
reforms TO augment the receipts to the treasury
and facilitate the business of tanspor ration; and,
as much OF this system results from positive law,
it may not be deemed oticious on my part to make
suggestions on the subject.
In special message, communicated to the Cen
eral Assembly, soon after my induction into office
| advocated the policy Of making cash payments
for labor and materials, and the interdlcilon by
law Of the creation Of deb, by the officers the
public works, and made alluson to other radica
defects in the system, which could scarcely be
reached by the Canal Board. To some Of these
shall now briefly aliude.
In the first place, it is impossible to avoid the
creation Of debts, if the appropriations be INSULT.
cient to meet unavoidable expenditures. The bu
siness OF transportation and travel on these high
ways must be kept up, whether the expenses be
paid or not. These circumstances have defeated
10 some extent, the administration OF the law oi
May, 1852, requiring cash payments and prompt
settlements by the officers these works, and
prohibiting the creation of debts. This result,
regret, for am still decidedly Of the opinion that
no other change in the system is so likely to begel
economy, purity and efficiency in their general di
rect;on. For the last year, however, this law wa'
strictly carried out on some of the divisions, and
it is sincerity desired that hereafter the practice
may be extended TO all.
need not discuss the consequences OF the Gus.
tom Of making debts the pnbIic works-its er'
rors too pa!pshe TO need refuiaton by argu
men,; and shall only repeat what substantially
said TO the General Assembly on former occas
ion, ,ha, iE addition to the opportunity II afforded
for extorton off the Sate if not actual fraud upor
the treasury, the idea that officers, for the time
being, should be allowed TO scatter the credit o
the Commonw ealth broadcast, to be discovered
and redeemed some future period, by their saS
cessors, is a mon.trosity in the econn"'"
affairs. ,.,;,, :, M, .,,,.l
,.., "a, me alieg ation that the States nagemeni
Of these works is expensive and inefficient; and
yet is not clear 10 my mind, that treated as mere
business affair, her supervision would not be as
cheap and efficient that OF corporations and IN
divduals. But the instability Of her agencies rem
ders accuracy and economy exceedingly difficult.
Her periodical change Of officers has always de-
prved her of the benefit Of experience in this
work; and this, ir any BUSINESS, you will agree
with me, is equivalent to fair profit, and that ii
is emnenty so in the repair and general supervis-
ion of railroads and canals. This shifting prac-
tice has had the effect Of making her works a
species Of Normal schools for the education Of en-
eineers and supervisors to take charge OF other
Improvements. This instability results from the
recognition Of places on the State works, as point
ical offices, instead Of scientific and mechanical
and direction, our notions Of rotation and short
tenure in office. These ideas sound and re-
publican, and should never be dsregarded, in re.
ference 10 the offices apper'aining to our poiitIca
organization as government but it must be con-
ceded that a mere business operation to make
money, in competition with the creatures Of gov.
ernment and the efforts of individuals, was no,
contemplated as an Office in the organic law OF
the State and hence, it is not strange, thar the
principles proper for one do not apply usually to
the ether. What, l would enquire, would be the
condition Of the Reading railroad, the Pennsylva.
MIA railroad and other similar works, were they
required TO change their eng ineers and superin-
endents, at short periods, and bring strangers into
their empIoy3 The answer may be readily dis
covered in the States experience. have long
been Of opinion that in reference to al! the subor-
dinates of the Canal Commss oners, changes
should not be periodical and prefxed, but should
be made as demanded by the exigencies Of the
public service. The delinquent in any one of the
Obligations Of duty should be dismissed at once,
and the only guaranty Of continued employment
should be found in the superiority Of the services
rendered the State. All other rules for appoint
ment and dismissal should be speedily obliierated
from the system. The present practice deprives
the State, to great EXTENT of the benefit Of that
incentive to excel, which actuates all men where
character, position and emoluments are at stake.
Oi course, my suggestions in reference to the i'm
porrance Of experience will not be understood as
applying TO all the agents on the works; for in
stance, it requires but little experience to make
collector, but it has and always will require this to
render an agent efficient in the construction and
pair of railroads and canals, to fore.ee exgen-
cies and give harmonious direction TO the current
operations Of this complicated branch Of public
service. In short, the management wants the ap-
plication of business organization and principles.
A system Of books should supplaht the Of check
rolls, and the operations be so sysiematized that
the receipts and expenditures of each month, as
the season passes by, could be announced to the
public.
Confusion, obscurity and redundancy in our an
nual volume Of laws-vexaiious inroads upon pri
vate rishts-atiemp's at the usurpaton OF power
and cnnseouent stTvngs and litigation. are in nv