Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1855-05-16
By assuming as standard for comparison,

ID
the grcss receipts of the public Improvements
in the United States, which enjoy less comner-
cial and trading advantages than onr own. it
will be made evident and irresistible that the
most extensive and unbiUshing frauds have
been pcrpefrated by those who have had charge
Of the works, from Canal Commissioners down
to the lowest grade of officers. All which has
E>been done under the management of the late
Democratic party OF the State, by whici,a
these immense debts were created, and these
cxtravagant expenditures authorized. That
party has now fallen; and those in power will
prove true to the interests of the people by di-
rcctiog the sale, on fair terms. OF the source
OF all taxation, and of the great part of the
political decentralization of the Commonwealth.
The people have been deceived from year to
year on the subject of the cost of, and eXpen-
ditures upon the public Improvements, but
they will be deceived no longer. They demand
a sale; and he ready to second their de-
mand. Let the main line he sold for SS ,500,-
000. The branches will soon follow. And the
prices obtained for the works, if applied to
the reduction of the debt, viii relieve the tax
payers of part of their burthens, viii gradu-
ally relieve them of all, and, by removing
this heavy incubus upon industry, add mill
ions more to the waelth of the people, and
millions 10 its business capital
False estimates have, mcthodicaly, been
made By State officers, for the purpose of in
ducing the Legislature TO commence improve
mentS which never should hav; been attempt
ed, under the circumstances. The new road TO
avoid the Portage planes was estimated by the
States engineer in 1884, to cost Sl.0l5,oOH,
from which S2iS $50 worth of old materials
were to be deducted. The cost already has
been ST ,9S5, ,52S, to which must be added the
additional amount asked for this year $2FT,-
730-making a total of 81 260,2i0 as the least
figure which this improvement Will cost the
State more than double the original csti-
mate! Can such discrepancies be fairly called
errors 2 Do they moi look like deccptions
The same is true of the North Branch canal,
which has already gone far beyond the cSti-
mates made when the work was resumed
Likewise, the Canal Commissioners have per-
Sistently misrcpreSented with regard TO the
revenue fro.n the public works, holding ont
constantly the never realized expectation that
the revenue was exceeding the expenses, when
in fact most Of the debts created never ap-
pear in the reports, and, although paid, never
deducted from the receipts.
1t is time these abuses should be stoppedi
and lie rejoiced at the prospect OF the sale OF
the line to responsible parties.
He had spoke particularly OF the frauds and
mismanagement which had been discovered on
the works lie alluded to the upper western
division OF the canal, where formerly one fore
man for every twelve miles was sufficient to
keep up the repairs; but where, since year be-
fore last, two have been appointed. thus IN
creasing the daily expense of each division
from four to five dollars, expense incurred
for the purpose Of giving places 70 pets Of the
party having the control. Committees OF in
ycstigation have been repeatedly appointed by
the Legislature, Who have discovered and re
ported many abuses upon the western division,
the mountain railroad (Which, however, is
now much better managed than formerly. by
Gen. Ross.l the eastern division, and the Col
umbin railroad. Though one Of them was cX-
posed, on the Frcerort Aqueduct fraud, IN
which 500, COO were stolen from the people by
officers of lhe Commonwealth-oiii who
have. as usual, escaped the punishment they
so richly deserve; while honest laborers, thus
deprived of pay they have fairly earned, have
been oblidgcd 10 submit to discount of
twelve or fifteen per cent. on their certificates
of indcbtedne S.. when having them caShed
that they might buy for themselves and fami-
lies the Gecess1ries of life.
In every point OF view, the public works are
burthen to the people. and prolific producers
OF wrong and suffering. The Commonwealth
owes it TO herself, to her reputation, and TO
the interests of her citizens to sell them. He
would chccrfully vote for this bill.