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

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consistently with The principles OF justice and
equity, make grant that would depreciae the
value of property which belonged 10 all, for the
purpose of fostering the growth and prosperity of
particular portion of the Slate. Good faith and
correct moral principle forbade such action. On
the other hand, was alleged ha, the increased bu
siness which such an improvement would throw
upon the Columbia railroad, and the enhanced value
OF property adjacent 10 the proposed road, from
which The State would derive increased revenue in
the form of laxes-would constitute an ample re.
muneraton 10 her Golfers, and thus do full justice
to The people as the owners of The works 10 be
affected. But majority of the Legislature con-
cluded that some additional benefits were demand
ed, and hence the adoption OF The provision 10
which have referred.
The stock was subscribed with fulknowledge
of this reservation and the acceptance OF the char
ter by the company, was the consummarion of
solemn agreement between them and the State
Yet, under the specious plea iha, ii imposes tax
on trade, the Commonwealth is now asked 10 re.
linquish this condition; and the case is argued as
though it had been the policy of The law, that the
company should impose this charge of three mills
per ion upon every species OF property which may
pass its road and in this way il is very readily
shown that on coal, iron, lumber and other cheap
tonnage, this charge would be too great But the
company obliged 10 assess this tax on all kinds
of,onnage; nor was il the intention Of The act that
they should do so. The design was TO make an
exacon from the nett profits of the company for
the use Of The public Golfers, as compensation for
valuable grant, and thereby protect the public
Improvements from the competition of this new
rival The tax on tonnage, therefore, was intend
ed TO indicate only the mode of ascerianng the
sum 10 be pad and not The specific tonnage on
which il should be charged. When The sum is in
this way ascenained, matters not 10 the State how
the company obtains the money; whether il be by
charges on freight, or on passengers-on local, or
on through tonnage. Should therefore, certain
kinds of tonnage be improperly oppressed, the fault
is with the company, not in the law. And surely
ii will moi be couiended that The protection thus
thrown around The works of the State is unneces
sary so far from this the wisdom and utility of
this feature The company's charter has already
been made manifest. The very exgency anticipa-
ed by the Legislature has arisen the competition
of,he railroad is already seriously Tell by The main
line. Relieved from this restraint, but a neagre
portion of The carrying trade would be left for that
branch of our Improvements. Nor will ii be con.
tended thai the Commonwealth does no, need this
source Of revenue.
But, viewed alone, matter interesting 10 the
owners and transporters ofionnage, what guarantee
would they have that the rates of transportation
would be reduced, were this tax taken of None
whatever. The company could charge as hereto
fore, and thus realize the amount of the lax in ad
dition to their present profits II they should not
do This, their action would differ from that OF
similar corporations under like circumstances -
But TO admit, what, is claimed, that reduction in
The charges of transportation TO a similar extent,
would take place, it must be perceived would du-
plicae The loss to The State for she would not only
thereby lose The amount of the three mill lax, but
be deprived Of very large portion of tonnage
which would be attracted 10 the company's road
by this reduction in the rates OF transportation. We
are thus brought 10 the simple inquiry, whether The
Stale shall retain this valuable income, TO which
she is so justly entitled or whether she shall give
ii 10 the railroad company. Most certainly the
latter alternative should not be adopted, so long
the question of selling The State Improvements re-
mains undecided
As mere revenue measure, this tax constitutes
important and increasing item in The annual re-
ceipis of The Treasury. In the year 1858, ii
amounted 10 the sum of S7i ,O0), ard for The year
1854, 10 si3l ,Ooo
That this amount will be materially increased
hereafter, is seli-evident If This important item be
Withdrawn from the sinking fund, there will be but
little left 10 sustain its operations.
am aware That these views may be met with
the plausible arguments that trade and commerce
should not be thus burhened-that The effect is
preiudical to The business Of the State. This is true
in the adjustment, OF question of this characer-
But will scalcely be contended that trade and com
merce should be sustained by contributions from a
needy Treasury. On this principle, ii could as
reasonably be maintained that The State should
make no charges whatever for the use of her own
works.
The administration OF Governor Skunk COM
menced the cancellation OF relief issues and that
of my immediate predecessors arrested the process,
leaving $3.50, 163 900 Of this unsighlly currency in
circulation. In the spring of 1853, the policy of
cancellation was again resumed and mp TO this
date, S4S5 3S4 So had beenr received into The sink
ing fund, applicable to that purpose, leaving The
meagre sum of Sl5i,77S 70, TO provide for The
gratifying fact is apparent, therefore, that, without
any further legislation on this subject, the entire
outstanding balance Of relief notes can be with
drawn from circulation and destroyed during the
current year. II is true that these issues have moi
come into the Treasury as rapidly as the funds for
their cancellation have accumulated, and that, con-
sequenty, portion ofthe receipts have not been
invested; but this difficulty will be obviaied in