Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1855-01-13


getting this properly on better terms, a, future
lime. feel very confident that the latter consider
alton was not without its influence. But be this
as may, is certainly wiser 10 fail to sell from
any one OF these causes than 10 hazard the works
in the market, without any restriction Limitation
as 10 price or conditions. bad sale would as
suredly be greater misfortune, than no sale at
| all.
| The benefits resulting 10 The people from these
Improvements, have been numerous and diversi-
| fed. They have facilitated trade and commerce;
stimulated productive industry in every department;
and have not only enabled the farmer 10 reach a
ready market with the fruits of his labor, but have
furnished convenient out lets for the rich mineral
| treasures of the State. Without them, the miner
would be deprived OF his occupation, the transport
er be left in helpless desIitulion and the Common.
wealth itself be permitted 10 relain parsimonious
possession of vast masses OF natural and unproduc.
tive riches. Our predecessors were wise in open
ing these avenues TO trade aud commerce and if
we wish TO be raled wise hereafter, we shall not
rashly and hastily throw away The advantages OF
their future use. This use TO The full extent, in
the event of sale, can only be secured by eal-
ous protection of The right Of The people to enjoy it.
The very first conditions of such measure should
be, that the works, and every branch OF them, be
kept at all times in good order and in operating
condition, and remain forever public highways,
for the use of all persons who may wish TO trans
port goods or merchanllze over lhem, uEon rates
not greater than those charged upon other similar
Improvements. No corporation should get DOS.
session OF these valuable avenues, on such condi.
tons would enable II TO impose unreasonable
burlhens on the Internal trade and tonnage of The
State, or in any way 10 encroach upon the rights of
The individual citizen. To obviate such results, the
powers, privileges aud restrictions OF any corpora
ton getting the works, should be minuleIy defined
Past experience suggests these prudential counseIs
for have often seen in this Stale, how difficult
il is 10 confne The operation of these artificial
bodies within the limits prescribed by the law
and we should not fail 10 profit by The lesson.
BY The 29h section of The acl OF the 9th of Nav
las, providing for The ordinary expenses of govern
ment and other purposes, Nmrod Strickland of
Chester county, John ~ Purviance, of Butler
county, and John Slrohm, ofLancaster county, were
named as Commissioners 10 settle certain claims
and debts against The Commonwealth Itwas also
made the duty of the Governor 10 supply by ap-
poiniment, any vacancy in this commission which
might occnr The gentlemen already having de.
cined 10 serve, accordingly appointed William
w. Williamson, OF Chester county, William Eng.
lish OF Philadelphia. and John c. Magil, OF West.
moreland county, in their stead.
Alter tedious and laborious investigation these
gentlemen have completed the duty assigned 10
them, and ihe result will be communicated 10 you.
in detail in their own report.
regret 10 perceive that the accounts so examin-
ed and settled, exceed the amount oflhe appropria-
lion nearly $3.50 eco. 1t is well, however, 10 see
the end of claims OF this character; and having ac-
compllshed this ii will be prudent 10 gnard against
the recurrence of similar state of affairs. Indeed
the practice OF contracting debts on the public
works. should be al once and forever abandoned
Ii has been fruitful oil confusion in the ac.
counts, fnot of paIpabe wrong upon the Treasury
The right 10 scatter the credit OF the Commonwealth
in this unguarded way, is venture 10 assert with.
| out parallel in the management of public affairs
OF the many defects in the system of managing
the State improvements, this has been the mos,
productive OF evil. In my first as also in my las,
annual message ] most earnestly urged The Gen
efai Assembly 10 provide, by law, that no debt
should be contracted by the officers on the public
works that the necessary labor and material 10
maintain these works should be paid for in cash
and that each officer should be compelled to settle
his accounts promptly. The examinations jus,
made, demonstrate still more clearly the necessity
for such reform.
Repeated attempts have been made 10 repeal so
much OF the act Incorporating the Pennsylvania
railroad company as requires il 10 pay into the
Treasury annually, certain per cenage the
amount oil tonnage which may pass over that road
equivalent Tor the privileges granted by the
Commonwealth but the General Assembly have
repeatedly rejected the proposition and Sin
cerely hope, that, so long as the Stale may need
the revenue from This source, all future attempts 10
accomplish this end, may meet similar fale.
Having been connected with the legislature
which brought this company into existence, and
clearly cognzan, of the motives and purposes
which governed The Legislature in imposing This
condition Oh The grant, can discover no reason, in
subsequent events, TO Justify the REIMBURSEMENT OF
this valuable reservation but many on the contrary
10 sustain lis justice and utility. The discussions
pending the incorporation Of The company, will best
INDICATE the object OF tbs restriction. The con-
slrueion of a railroad from Harrisburg 10 Pits
burg, parallel with the Staleworks, very prop
ery urged as lndspensab!y necessary 10 meet the
wants ot The travelling public, and 10 enable our
metropolis TO compete successfully with other COM
ercal Giles. The very first and most formi1a-
bic difficulty which presented itself in the way of
this enterprise, was the prejudicial effect such
work might have upon the business and profits of
The main line OF the public Improvements. twas
urged on the one hand, tha. the State works had