Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1855-05-12
THE NORTH BRANCH.

The following bill passed the Legislature and
has become law Should Mr. MAFFEr accept
the office, the public have every guarantee that
all that faithful discharge of its responsible
ties, combined with great experience can do to
make the North Branch navigable, will be per-
formed by him. We are rejoiced to see plan
adopted, in regard to this work, which will re-
move much of the mismanagcment experienced
by other portions of the public improvements
by creating responsibility which is to be as
sumed by man who has some regard to his
reputation-by removing every inducement to
prostitute the Canal into a piece Of political
machinery, and giving the Office permanency
which the appointees of the Canal Commission
ers can never feel. We are satisfied that the
interests Of the Commonwealth and of the pub
lie concerned in the operation of the North
Branch, particularly the dealers in coaD de-
manded some Innovation upon the old manner of
conducting the public works-and if Mr. MAE
FET but half sustains his previous reputation,
he will realize all the expectations now formed
of his ability.
An act to provide for the repairs and completion of the
North Branch canal from Pittston northward
S l. Be II enacted DC, by the Senate and
House of Representatives of the Common
wealth Of Pennsylvania in General Assembly
met and it is hereby enacted by the authority
Of the same That William r. Mafft be and is
hereby appointed superintendent and engineer
of the North Branch extension of the Penn
sylvania canal, from Pittston Northward, for
the term of five years from the passage of this
act at an annual salary of $4,000, liable to be
removed at any time for cause by the Legisla-
tnre and in the event of a sale of said canal,
the appointment hereby made shall cease from
the time of such sale
5 2. That the said superintendent shall have
the appointment, control and removal of all
agents and employees on said canal, except
collectors he shall cause such alterations of
said canal and its appurtenances as may in the
opinion of the Canal Commissioners and said
superintendent be requisite to give full efficiency
to said Improvement he shall without delay
with the approval of the Canal Commissioners
cause the erection of reservoirs, and prepare
feeders to supply the southern part of said
canal with water, and to facilitate the passage
OF laden boats nOrthward, Pr0rided That
the cost thereof, together with land damages.
does not exceed the sum of ten thousand dollars,
which sum is hereby appropriated for such
purposes he shall draw moneys for repairs.
and the money hereby appropriated in the
manner now practiced, and under like bonds
and surety as are now given by him he shall
make annual reports to the board of Canal
Commissioners as other canal officers are re-
quired to do, showing in detail the operations
on said canal for the preceding year, and specific
estimates for repairs for the ensuing year, and
any proposed changes and alterations of said
improvement, and generally as to the manage
ment and Improvement of said canal
3. That the Canal Commissioners NAV for
Official misconduct, during the recess of the
legislature, suspend the appointment hereby
made, and supply the place Of the said superin-
tendent until the meeting of the next legisla-
ture, and shall then report to said legislature
their action with the causes thereof
4. That the said William r. Mafit shall
within twenty days after the passage of this
act notify the Canal Commissioners of his
acceptance of this appointment.