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

ed our antlclpatlons; and but tor the ne
cessity which seemed to exist for re-
duction Of tolls to meet surrounding COM
petition, the revenue would have been
largely increased. The general move
ment now on foot amongst railroad COM
panies, to advance these rates, may per-
haps, relieve the State to some extent in
this respect.
The Delaware division makes most
gratifying exhibit. The gross receipts
counted S365, 1926 OF, and the expendi-
lures s59,73s 81, showing net profit of
S305, ,5S8 40; sum equal to the interest
on six millions of the public debt, and to
90 per cent. on the original cost of the
work, including the expenditure for new
works.
The North Branch Canal and the Co.
lumbia railroad also present favorable re-
suits The business and tolls on the for
mer have inreased with marked rapidity;
and the management on both these
branches bear the marks of skill and
economy. The expenses on the Alleghe-
ny Portage road have been largely reduc-
ed, and the business better regulated than
at any former period,-As a whole, l feel
constrained to say, that the condition OF
the public works has been improved du-
ring the last year: in no particular, to so
valuable an extent, as in the matter of
contracting debts, which it seems has
been almost entirely avoided. The Of
fcers on the respective lines report that
they have paid all expenses; and some
of them have gone so far as to say to the
Canal Board that they will be personally
responsible for any debts that may here
after be discovered This is truly great
reform-for nothing has cost the State
so much, as the pernicious practice of
making debts on the public works; | still
think it should be interdicted by positive
law.
In my last message gave my views
at length, as to the principles and rules
that should control in the management OF
the State improvements and L need not
repeat them in this. | would respectful
ly suggest, however, that so much of the
law as binds the Canal Commissioners to
. a fixed rate of tolls for the whole season,
should be repealed. The officers direct
ing the operations of the public works
should it seems to me, be left free to meet
the exigencies in trade and commerce, as
they may arise.
The work on the Mountain railroad has
progressed slowly, and it it obvious that
it will not be fully completed before the
summer of must confess myself
sadly disappointed as to the time and
money consumed in the construction Of
this work The expenditures, since l came
into Office, have greatly exceeded the
whole amount estimated as necessary to
complete the line; and yet, it is but JUS
tice to say, that the Pennsylvania rail-
road, lying parallel with it, has cost
still larger sum per mile.
| have endeavored, during my service,
to guard against the commencement of
schemes of this or any other character,
to entail future liabilities on the Treasury.
This ought to be the settled policy of the
State. No new improvements should be
undertaken, upon an pretezt whatever'-
The payment of the debt, and that only,
should absorb the surplus revenues OF the
Treasury. If this policy be pursued, no
other financial scheme, to pay the debt,
will be necessary. The large annual sur
pulls will reduce the States Indebtedness
with sufficient rapidity.
regret, exceedingly, the necessity of
announcing to you that the North Branch
Canal is not yet in full operation. 1t is
now more than year since the Canal
Commissioners directed the water to be
let into the main trunk of that improve
ment, and declared their confident belief
that it would be in successful operation
by the middle Of last summer; but their
sanguine expectations, as we'll as those oi
the people, have, in this respect been sad
ly disappointed A variety of unforeseen
difficulties presented themselves in the
way of the attainment of this end The
old work constructed some twelve or fifteen
wears since, as we'll as some sections ot
the new, located on the hill side, near
the margin of the river, when tested by
the admission of water, turned out to DC
porous, and totally insufficient in its ma
teTIal and 1ormatlOn. IL eotHC IhStdhN0s
rocks, roots, trees and stumps have been
, concealed under the bottom of the chan
mel, covered only by few inches ofcarth
thus presenting but slight obstruction
to the passage of the water out into the
, bed of the river. This is especially tho
, case in much of the old work, in all such
sections or places, no remedy, short OF
reconstruction of the bottom of the canal
could prove sufficient; and this was nee
essarily tedious and expensive process
, There is still considerable portion OF The
work to remodel in this way; but it Is conn
IDENTIFY believed that it will be ready Tor us'
6 in the early part of the coming season. ina
!, the utmost skill and vigilance has at all time
been exhibited by the agents OF the State OF
: this line, do not believe; but the deficiency
in this particular, on the new work, has no
r been so pal pable as alleged by some. Indeed
) since May last, great energy has character
E lied the management on this line; the Pres
ident of the Canal Board having devoted muc
of his time to personal supervision of tn
, work. But 1t is obvious, no degree Of capaC