Democrat and sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1853-1866, 1855-07-25

Portage Road, and the Eastern Division from
Hollidaysburg to Huntingdon, If the bill
could have been passed without the provision.
And this design was not concealed, but OPEN
" avuwed. Now let Philadelphis and Pitts
burg, and all the intermediate country, look
at this aspect of the subject, and say what
they think of it. Are two independent lines
between the East and West too much for
them? Is there not trade enough for both
nowf And will not that trade. with two
competing lines attracting it to them, be soon
more than both of them can possibly carry?
And when New York, with two Railroads
connecting her great metropolis with the
West, is spending millions to widen and deep
en- her canal. viii Philadelphia and Pittsburg.
with one continuous Railroad only, agree to
Hll up their Canals, and this, too. for the
purpose of satiating the verocious NAV Of this
ambitious corporation7 -
And is this Main Line so WORTHLESS as this
lying corporation represents it2 If SO. why
this anxiety to destroy it? No. sir. by no
means. Examine its statistics and you will
find that its tonnage has been increasing ev-
cry successive year, and increasing. believe,
more rapidly since the Central Road has been
built than before, showing the wonderful pow
er of composition to increase trade. And the
amount Of its tonnage this spring, up to the
date of the infamous outrage committed by
this insolent and audacious corporation, is
greater than it ever was before for the same
period, Notwithstanding this has been very
,infavorable season for freight.
And in reply to the allegation by the Off
GERS of this Company that this line has been
burden on the treasury and yielded no revenue
to the State, would ask them how many
Railroads in the United States yield any divi-
dends to the Stockholders. after honestly pay
ing all expenses and repairs. I would sug-
gest to them, or rather to the honest Stock
holders of this Company. who are not engaged
in the outside speculations to examine the
books of this Company, and tell me how much
of the current expenses of the road Is charged
every year to the account of construction, for
the purpose of showing deceptive profits; and
| then tell me what would be the honest amount
of its nett dividends and what must be the
amount of the nett profits of Company that
pays from eighteen to twenty-four per cent.
for the loan of money, to pay six per cent.
dividends. In reference to tae charges of
prodigaGty and corruption in the management
of the State Improvements, far be it from me
to undertake the hopeless task of refutation.
Though I am not one of the initiated, and
have never been behind the curtain to see any
considerable portion Of the iniquities and
shortcomings of this young corporation, enough
of them have come to my knowledge to war;
rant me in affirming that for the time it has
been in existence, it has been guilty Of more
prodigality. corruption, and favoritism, than
the State officers have ever been for the same
period.
And to the honest Stockholders, I would
further suggest that they enquire and ascer-
tain how many officers and directors of the
Company have been engaged in the Altoona
speculation? How many in the Huntingdon
speculation? How many in the Greenwich
speculation on the Delaware? How many In
the coal and lumber speculation ? How ma
ny in the Allegheny Coal Company specula-
ton? How many in the Westmoreland Coal
Company speculation? How much coal they
have carried and contracted to carry. and at
what prices Whether the Company can af-
| ford to carry the coal of the Westmoreland
Company at the rates agreed upon? Whether
the officers have not refused to carry coal for
| IL ~oka - roto
| Whether other and more valuable freights, at
! higher rates have not been refused? Whether
| the repeal of the three mill tax on coal and
| lumber has been of any benefit to any persons
except the officers, their partners and theiz
fayorites? Whether the officers do not keep
| a schedule of rates for the outside barbarians,
and make special contracts with their partners,
dependents and fayorites. at much lower rates
| And how much the officers of the Westmore-
land Company would make on their contracts
for coal this season, by the repeal OF the three
mill tax? And whether in 6ne the interests
Of the Company have not generally been made
subservient to the interests of the officers, their
partners, dependents, and favoritss2 And
| whether their private fortunes have not been
| much improved BY the operation : Other
equally pregnant suggestions might be made
| but these are deemed sufficient to warrant
some investigation and inquiry.
/ And now / would ask the people of Penn
sylyania whether they have any inquiries and
investigations to make into the conduct of thil
| Company? Whether they are disposed 4