The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1855-01-19
$3,0S6,778 05

The foregoing figures exhibit the astonishing
fact, that the Treasury has been annually pay
ing over million OF dollars towards the con-
struction Of new improvements, and at the same
tifnp accomplished a small reduction OF the pub
debt
As made my duty, by an act Of the Lrgisa-
tore, approved the 9th Of April last, providing
for the sale of the main line of the public
works, sealed proposals. for its purchase were
insitpd up to the first Monday Of July last. Ne
offers We're made under this invitation and
public notice was again given, on the nth oi
November last, in accordance with the 29th
section ofihp act, for proposals, 10 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 Legislature nay deem necrs-
SarY.
NV mind has undergone no change, on the
subject Of sriling the public works, since the
period Of n5v last message. think the policy
Of the measure depends mainly upon the price
that can hp obtained, and the conditions on
which purchasers NAV be willing 10 hold these
works for the USE Of the public With a foil
and fair consideration, and on terms amply pro-
tective Of the rights and interests of the ppopie,
in the future enjoyment Of these highways
sale Glight not prove injurious TO the public
veal But it is certainly neither wise nor
polite to assume that they must be sold for
whatever can be obtained OF that they should,
in any event, be given away. Nothing could
have more preudca effect upon the inter-
ests Of the State, as involved in these improve
ments, than the avowal OF such a dptermina-
ton. Nor is il less unwise 20 disparage the
value Of the Commonweailh's property, al the
very moment Of putting II in market for sale.-
No intelligent private citizen would so act. in
reference to his own estate. He would hardly
give notice 10 capitalists, IN advance, that he
would sell his farm for fair price, but if un-
willing 10 pay such reasonable consideration,
they could have it for half the money Nor
would such person proclaim, that Of all the
farms in the country, his was the least prodnc-
tive.
1t is certainly the wish Of many good cit-
zens of the Statr-perhaps OF a maiority-that
the public works should be sold; but this de-
sire is evidently based upon the assumption
that the measure would be one of real ecouo-
my-that il wonld lessen, without the hazard
OF increasing, their annual taxes. The reali-
ization, of such an object, it must be- perceived.
then, depends entirely upon the price and
terms. Those who desire sale. certainly ex-
pect the State to be the gamer by such mea-
sure. No other important, or sufficient reason
for parting with this property has been assign
ed.
II is usually said that the works should be
sold 10 pay the public debt and lessen the bur-
ihens Of the people; but it must be observed,
that sale might be made at price far too low
10 effect such purpose and if so, TO give them
away would be still less likelyto produce the
desired result Should the gross sum received
not be equal to that on which the nett earnings
would pay the interest, then the effect would
BE- to increase, rather than diminish these annu-
al burthens. This is not what the people desire
10 accomplish by q sale nor will they be salts
fled with such disposition of their property.
The real value of the public works, is pro-
position full of difficulty; and doubt not the
General Assembly will approach the inquiry,
duly impressed with its Importance. Ten mil