New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1854-02-15
THE RIOTS 1T ERIE.
Gov BIGLERs MESSAGE, WITH ACCOMPANYING DoCU-
MENTs, IN RELATION TO THE FRANKLIN CANAL


Gov BIGLER'S MESSAGE WITH ACCOMPANYING D0CC-
MENTs, IN RELATION TO THE FRANKLIN CANAL
COMPANY.
To The Senate and House Of Representatives.
GESTLEMEN The law revokng the charter of the Frank
lin Canal Company, made it the duty Of the Governor to
take such might be necessary to carry its pro
visions into effect To perform the duty thus imposed upon
me- repaired Immediately the City OF Erie and returned
to the seat of Government Thursday morning last
embrace this early opportunity of communicating to You
the results
On the I'd inst caused copy of the said law together
with communication referring TO lis provisions, to be
presented the President and Directors OF the franklin
Canal Company, and Immediately thereafter took posses
SIGN Of the railroad claimed by said company in the
Of the Commonwealth, and appointed VIM. f. Packer
Esq, to superinend its operations with the power to
lect such assistants might be found necessary
Arrangements were subsequently made with the Cleve
land gainesville and Ashtabua Railroad Company to stock
and said road and conditions deemed Just and
reasonable al parties interested and adv the
public. The business therefore has been fully resumed
the entire line from Cleveland TO Buffalo, and will here
after, in opinion be transacted in al
vantageous and agreeable to the traveller and transporter
than at any former period.
The accompanying correspondence between The officers
Of the Franklin Canal Company aud myself together with
the annexed copy of the with the Ohio Railroad
Company for stocking and using the road from Erie
the State line will exhibit to you the details of my action
under the law.
1t affords unaffected pleasure to inform you that
notwithstanding the violent controversy which had been
maintained for months past between the Ralrosd Com
panes and the people of Erie and the high degree Of
citmen incident TO such contest encountered but little
difficulty in accomplishing the objects of the law. No
serious disposition manifested at any time TO resist
the authority of the State Forbearsnce and prudence
appeared 10 distinguish the conduct Of the of people
as well as the action Of all the parties directly concerned
in the adjustment of this unpleasant affair.
While therefore, it is hoped that the settlement of the
difficulty in the manner just indicated may provo sltii
factory The restoration of peace and quiet TO the com
muny wlldoubtless beSubiect Of graduation hrOug hout
the country ii certainly should be of special gratica
ton TO YOU and the other authorities of tue State With
an unfacring determination the part Of the people of
Eric 10 maintain their rights before the Courts and to
Insist upon measures of legislation for the promotion of
their welfare feel assured that they equally prepared
to restrain and needs be resist any of violence
law
The claim of the State to the route from the City OF
Erie 10 the Ohio line having been thus maintained the
inqty naturally arises shall grant for road between
these points be made, and on what conditions have no
hesitation in expressing the opinion that the grant should
be made and promptly convenient and thus put tbs
controversy at The State should cersiny DO this
or make provision for pay to the stockholders of the
Franklin Canal Company OF fair compensation for the
Railroad constructed by them and keep il herself OF
these propositions am inclined 10 prefer the former.
Should the grant be made to corporation such con
disions ear DO annexed viii meet the wishes of tho
people of Erie promote their welfare extend the bushes.
and usefulness of the harbor az that place. and advance
the general prosperity of the State without subectng
uaNe or commerce 10 more than an incidental or ulav0d
able inconvenience.
Among the conditions should he one requiring this road
connect with the barber Erie and such other
as ibe General Assembly may deem right and proper.
With these remarks under other circumstances my duty
might close But the manifest misrepresentation which
have characterized the discussion Of this unpleasant
trovety In certain sections VI the country have induced
me TO present brief statement Of the facts of the case
as a defence Of the State and her representatives.
The Commonwealth has had controversy with the
citizens corporations OF other States has she been
inclined to interfere with their rights interests -
unnecessarily interrupt the travel commerce Of the
country she has been dealing with refractory creature
o. Der own, which had most palpaby "Eiisused aai
anusea The privileges conferred upoa il by law cor
thai had attempted the usura.icn Of power that
Tau the sovereignty Of the State, and invaded
tsn oi eminent domain IL in this contest she
oiougs. INTO Johnston with citizens and corporations Of
Se sass .he olihsulty was not Of her own seeking
ihe NiIdieaton Of her honor aud digni,y was duty
which she could not neglect and haye M HESITATION Ia
saying without any reference the diieultie, al Erie
that was night and polite the part of IRE S,.a "a M
SToise the power which ale had reserved over his cor
r6ton The act doubt not wiz exert = wbolesoF,s oap
ence in future over the conduct OF similar bodies Ifne
leced in maniiestly proper II would he idia .
for The protection of the public as would also bs n-
70 grant additional railroad charters. Under such lat
tudinsrsn construction claimed BY the Franklin Caps
Company these alr sdy in existence ecad occupy eyov
feasible IoEle in the State.
Ia 1884, this Corporation created for the purpose OF
improving the French Creek Division Of the PCnnsygana
CGns, The state reseryiug the right 10 possess sal
canc 81 any time thereafter by Torayiag the Company
he tnouni Of money expended in is improvement with
cent. interest.
IN April, 1892 he Company authorized 70 construct