The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1855-01-11

IL, 1855.
at S772,OOO Since that time the sum of
Sl,2O6552 70 has been expended, and it will
still require, as estimated by the Canal Board,
100000 to put it into complete operation.
Whilst regret this unforeseen cost and de-
lay, / cannot refrain from repeating my IN
falterinG confidence in the wisdom of the poi
icy that dictated the completion Of this work.
The large increase of business and tolls for
the year just closed, on the older portion OF
the line, indicates what we may safely antc-
ipate from the new; and, | cannot doubt, that
the gross amount of business it will command,
and the revenue it will yield, will exceed the
most sanguine expectations of It's advocates
The inexhaustble mines of coal with which
that section of the State abounds, the pro-
ducts of which are destined to pass through
this avenue to limitless market, will fur
nish for it never failing supply OF business
and tonnage Besides, its completion will
be an act of justice to the industrious and en-
terprisng inhabitants of that part of the Com
monwealth, who have heretofore willingly
contributed towards the construction of the
other improvements of the State, from which
they could derive but little advantage. 1t
will, also, add to the general prosperity of the
adjacent country; to the value OF property,
and consequently to the revenues Of the State.
At the time of my induction iutO
office the funded debt. including
accrued interest, amounted to
the sum ,I04,4 ,4o' 40
Add to this the loan Of April. 1852,
to complete the \. Branch canal, $50, 600 90
S4l,004,457 rs
Deduct payments as follows:
Interest on outstanding cnrtif-
Gates, es,.......................SJO,06 ,063 ~
Receipts to the sink
ing fund up tothis
time...................1,0 ,057 $50 10
------ I,103.919 50
Total funded debt ,9O0,5 81
The floating debt and unpaid APP
preparations at the period already
indicated. ,421, ,O9O 10
Deduct the available balance then
in tbe Treas,,rg. 10000 90
S67l,O90 Is
The floating debt temporary loans,
unpaid appropriations except
for repairs after the lst Decem-
Der, 1854 $50 GOO 90
Balance in the Treasury, NOvem-
Der 80. 1854, after deducting the
amount applicable to the old
public debt and the relief issues
then on hand d,........................ SG0,yZJ OO
Balance. s7G5. .929 90
During the same period the efollOwing appropri-
bo hpC0 q
construction of new Improvements, to wit:
For the reconstructing Of the Co
Iumbia ralrOad...... .............. S5l4; 4OI tG
For the new railroad over the Al
legheny mountains,................. 1.1l7, $50 90
crn reservoir. 52.3Ss. 90
For the North Branch canal. ,........ l,2O6,352 Is
New locks on Delaware division, l0O.3l9 90
Sundry special payments,......... 95,353 j
s3.Os6.I7S G5
The foregoing figures exhibit the aston
ishing fact, that the Treasury has been an
nually paying over million of dollars to-
wards the construction Of new improve
mcnts and at the same time accomplished
a small reduction Of the puplic debt.
As made my duty, by an act of the Lc-
gislature, approved the 9th Of April last,
providing for the sale of the main line Of
tie public works, sealed proposals for its
purchase were invited, up to the first Mon
day of July last. No offers were made
under this invitation ;and public notice was
again given, on the l4th Of November
last, In accordance with the Goth section
of the act, for proposals, to be submitted
to the General Assembly; but none have
been received. This Improvement is,
therefore, still the property Of the State,
subject to such disposition as the LegIsla-
ture may deem necessary.
! Ny mind has undergone no change, on
the subject of selling the public works
since the period Of my last message. /
think the policy Of the measure depends
mainly upon the price that can be obtain
ed, and the conditions on which purchas-
ers may be willing to hold these works for
the use Of the public With full and fair
consideration, and on terms amply protec-
tive of the rights and interests Of the pco,
pie, in the future eljoyments Of these high,
ways-a sale might not prove injurious tc
the public veal But it is certainly nci
thcr wise nor polite to assume that they
must be sold for whatever can be obtain
ed; or that they should, in any event, be
given away Nothing could have moro
[prejudicial effect upon the interests of the
State as involved in these improvements
than the avowal of such a determination
Nor is it less unwisc to diSparage the vat
ue of the Commonwealth property, at
the very moment of putting it in market
for sale. No intelligent private citizen
would so act, in reference TO his own es
tate. lie would hardly give notice tc
capitalists, in advance, that he would sci
his farm for fair pr.ce; but if unwilling
to pay such reasonable consideration, they
could have it for half the money. MOI
would such a person proclaim, that of al
the farms in the country, his was the leas
productive.
1t is certainly the wish Of many goot
citizens of the perhaps of a major
ity-tha the public works should be sold
IL L tlf