The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1855-01-11

propriations AT the period al
ready Indicated, ST, AZ ,090 IS
Deduct the available balance then
in the Treasury, $4,000 90
S67i 09O IS
The hoaling BIT. temporary
loaus, unpaid appropriations,
except Tor repairs after the lst
December, 1854, i,eso.ooo 90
Balance IN the Treasury Novem-
ber 80, 1854, after deduc,ing
the amount applicable 10 The
.'old public debt and the relief
issnes then on hand, s65, ,929 90
Balance, s766,929 90
During the same period tho following ap.
propriaiions and payments have been made
towards the construction Of new improve.
mems, 10 wit:
For the reconstruction of the Co.
lumbia railroad, S5l4, 407 Sc
For the new railroad over the Al.
legheny mountains. l,u7,955 SO
For the completion Of the West
ern reservoir, So 1888 90
For the North Branch Canal, 1,2O6,s52 76
New stock on the Dslaw are Di-
Nrsion,- 100, ,ato 90
sundry 'pecal payments, 9535s II
So O86,778 Ob
Tho foregoing figures exhibit the aslonlsh-
ing fact that The Treasury has been annual.
ly paying oyera million of dollars towards
the construction of new Improvements. and
atthe same time accomplished small re-
duclioh of The public debt.
AS made my duty, by an acl of the Leg
slature, approved the 9th of April last,
providing for the sale of the main line OF
the public works, sealed proposals for its
purchase were invited, up 10 the FIRST Mon.
day of July last. No offers were made un-
der this invitation and public notice was
again given, on the I4h Of Noyemb Der as:,
in accordance with the 29lh section of the
act, for proposals, 10 be Submitted to the
General Assembly but nore have been re.
ceived. This improvement is, therefore.
still the properly of the State, subject 10 such
disposition as the Legislature may deem
necessary.
My mind has undergone no change, OH
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 obtained, and the con
ditions which purchasers may be willing TO
hold these works for the use of The public
With full and fair consideration, and Oh
terms amply protective of the rights and in
terests OF the people, in the future enjoy
meni OF these highways-a sale might not
pWye injurious TO the public veal. But it
is certainly neither wise nor polite TO as
sumo that they must be sold fo- whatever
can be Obtained : or that they should, in any
event, be given away. NoIhing could have
a more prejudicial effect upon the interests
of the Stale, as involved in these improve
ments, than the avowal of such determi.
nalion Nor is it less unwise 10 disparaae
the value OF the Commonwealth property
at the very moment of putting it in market
for sale. No intelligent private citizen would
so act, in reference 10 his own estate He
would hardly give nolics 10 capitalists, in
advance, that he would soil his farm for
fair price but if unwilling 10 pay such rea.
souable consideration, they could have il for
halt The money. Nor would such person
proclaim, that OF all the farms in The coun-
Try, his was the least productive.
II is certainly the wish of many good citi-
zens of the Slale-perhaps of majority
that the public works should be sold but
ic tl, hac I'd tba
sumption that the measure would be one
of real economy--lhat ii would lesson, with
out the hazard of increasing, their annual
taxes. The realization of such an object, il
must be perceived, then, depends entirely
upon the price and terms. Those who de.
sire a sale, certainly expect the State TO be
the sainer by such a measure. No other
important, or sufficient reason for parting
With this properly has been assigned.
1t is usually said that the works should be
sold 10 pay the public deb. and lesson the
burlhens Of the people; but il must be OBJ
served, thai sale might be made al price
far 100 low 10 effect such purpose ; and if so,
10 give them away would be still less likely
10 produce the desired result. Should the
gross sum received, not be equal 10 that on
which the net earnings would pay The inter.
est, then the effect would be TO increase
rather than diminish these annual burlhens.
ibis is not what The people desire 10 accom-
plish by sale nor will they be satisfied
With such disposition OF their property.
The real value of the public works, is a
proposition full OF difficulty and doubt not
the General Assembly will approach the in-
quiry, duly impressed with lis Importance.
Ten millions Of dollars was fixed, by the law
OF last session, as the price for the main line
This minimum is said by some to be too
high, and the failure 10 sell, regarded as The
consequence. Others attribute the absence
of bidders 10 the condition Of the money
market-to the stringent restrictions imposed
upon the law and TO the efforts that had
been previously made TO disparage The val.
ue of the line. But il is obvious that more
Than one of these causes may have operated;
and greater than all may have been. the
hope of getting this property on better terms,
at future time. feel very confident that
the latter consideration was not without lis
influence. But, be :his as il may, i, is Ger.
iainly wiser 10 fail to sell for any of these
than 10 L.,o.I ,ko ~