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

existence, ana cltdI ~ ''S"'- O N'
motives and purposes which governed the
Legislature in imposing this condition on
The Grant. can discover no reason, III
subsequent events, to Justify the relin-
cuishncnt ct this valuable reservation; but
many on the contrary, to sustain its just
tice and utility. The discussions pending
the incorporation of the company, VIII
hest indicate the object Of this restriction.
The construction Of a railroad from lior
rjshurg to Pittsburg, parallel Win 'Ie
State works, was very properly urge" d
iudiSpenSably necessary TO meet the "an'S
nf the travelling public, and to enable our
metropolis to compete Succ' Ssluily win
other commercial cities. Tie very first
and most formidable difficulty which pre-
sented itself in the way Of this enterprise,
was tie preiEdicial effect such work
might have upon the the business and
lroits of the main line of the public i'm
provements. 1t was urged on the one
hand, that the State works had been con-
structed at the expense of the people OF
the entire COmmonwealth-that those re-
siding in the extreme portions Of the State
as well as those of the interior, had, an
nuallv, contributed towards the payment
of the interest on the debt which had thus
hecn contracted: and, therefore, the Leg
iSlature could not, consistently with the
principles of justice and equity, make {
grant that would depreciate the value OF
property which belonged TO all, for the
purpose of fostering the growth and pros
pcrity Of particular portion of the State.
Good faith and correct moral principle
forbade such action. On the other hand,
il was alleged that the increased business
which such an Improvement would throw
npou The Columbia railroad, and the en-
CHARGED yalue Of property adjacent to tbt
proposed read, from which tie State
would derive increased revenue III the
form OF taxes-would constitute all ample
remuneration to her offers, and thus dc
full Justice to the people as the owners Of
the works TO be effected BHt a majorit!
oi the Legislature concluded that some
additional benefits were demanded, ana
hence the adoption Of the provision tC
which ! have referred.
The stock was subscribed with full knowl
edge Of this reservation, and the acceptance 0.
the charter by the company, was the c0nsuma
tiol of solemn agreement between them and
the State.
Yet, under the specious plea that ii imposes
tax on trade. the Commonwealth is now asked
10 reliuquish this condition; and the case is ar
cued as though it had been the policy of the
Law, that the company should impose this charge
OF three mills per ton upon every species Ofprop-
erty which may pass over its road; and IN this
way it tis very readily shown that on coal, iron
lumber and other cheap tonnage, this charge
would he too great But the company are not
obliged 10 assess this tax on all kinds OF ton
mage: nor was it the intention of the act that
they should do so. The design was TO make al
eSaction from the nett profits Of the company
for the use Of the public Golfers. as a compensa
ton Tor valuable grant, and thereby proIec
the public Improvements from the competition
OF this new rival The tax on tonnage, there
fore. was intended 10 indicate only the mode
ascertaining lhe sum to be paid, and not the spe
cifc tonnage on which it should be charged
When the sum is in this way ascertained, II mat
trrS not 10 the State how the company obtain
The money: whether it be by charges Onfreight
or on passen cers-on local. or on through ton
mage. Should, therefore, certain kinds of ton
mage 'a improperly oppressed, the fault is Wit
the company. not in the law. And surely l
viii not he contended that the protection thu
cessary:-so far from this, the wisdom ant
utility Of this feature Of the compaHy's charte
nas already been made manifest The very eX
igeacy anticipated by the Legislature has arfren
the competition Of the railroad is already ssri
ously fit by the main line Relieved from thi
restraint, but mea9re portion Of the carrying
trade Would be left for that branch Of our I'm
provements. Nor viii il be contended that tn
Commonwealth does not need this source Of rev
enne.
But, viewed alone. as a matter interesting Il
the owners and transporters Of tonnage, wha
guarantee would they have that the rates @
transportation would be reduced, were this ia
taken Off None whatever. The company coult
charge as heretofore, and thus realize the a
mount OF the tax in addit N to their presen
profits. IF they should not do this, their actor
would differ from that Of similar corporation
under Ike circumstances. But TO admit, wha
y claimed, that a reduction in the charges o.
transportation 10 a similar extent would take
place, il must be perceived would duplicate the
Joss 10 the State; for She would not only there
by lose the amount Of the three mill tax, but bt
deprived Of very large portion OF tonnage
which would be attracted 10 the company roat
by this reduction in the rates Of traus sportation
We are thus brought to the simple inquiry
whether the State shall retain this valuable IN
come, to which she is 80 justly entitled or Whelh
~ she shall give II TO the railroad COMPANY -
Most certainly the latter alternative should no
be adopted, so long as the question OF seLln,
the stale Improvements remains undecided
As a mere revenue measure. this tax conSt
tutes an important and increasing item IL tn
annual receipts of the Treasury. IN the yea
1858, il amounted to the sum Of $4,000, and 70
the year 1854, TO Sl3I,0 900.
That this amount VIII be materially increase
hereafter, sseli-evident. If this important itel
be Withdrawn from the sinking fund, there vi
be but little left TO sustain Its operations.
am aware that these views may be met wit
the plausible argument that trade and commerc
should not be thus burthaned-that the effect
prciudicial TO the business OF the State. Til
is true 10 a certain extent; and should have il
full weight in the adjustment Of question
this character. But it will scarcely be contend
ed that trade and commerce should be sustaine
by contributions from needy Treasury. On thi
principle, il could as reasonably be maintainc
that the State should make no charges whatey
er for the use of her own works.
The administration of Governor Skunk con
Tnenced the cancellation ofrelef issues: and tina
Of nv immediate predecessor arrested the pro
cess. leaving $3.50, ,l63 90 Of this unsightly cul
rencv in circulation. In the spring of 1858 tn
n. i'm Il. 4