Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1855-01-13
S5l4,40? &C
1,1l7,955 SO
So OS6,77S O5

ID
Sundry special payments, 95,S53 II
So 0S6 IT'S 05
The foregoing figures exhibit the astonishing
fact, that the Treasury has been annually paying
over million OF dollars towards The construction
otnew Improvements and al lhe same time &C
complished a small reduction of the public debt.
AS made my duty by an act OF the Legislature
approved the 27th of April last, providing for the
sale OF The main line of The public works, sealed
proposals for lis purchase were invited, up 10 the
first Monday of July last. No offers were made
under this invitation and public notice was again
given, on The 14h of November last in accordance
with the ooh section of The act, for proposals. 10 be
submitted TO the General Assembly but none have
been received. This improvement is, therefore,
still the property OF the State, subject TO such dis
position as the Legislature may deem necessary
My mind has undergone no change on The sub.
iecl of selling the public words, since the period OF
my last message. ! think the policy OF the meas
ure depends mainly upon the price lha, can be OBJ
tanned, and The conditions on which purchases
may be willing TO hold these works for The use Of
The public. With a full and faii consideration, and
on terms amply protective OF the rights and inter.
ests OF the people, in the future enjoyment OF these
highways-a sale might not prove injurious to the
pubic veal. But il is certainly neither wise nor
polite 10 assume that they must be sold for what,
ever can be Obtained or that they should, in any
event, be given away Nothing could have more
prendcial effect upon the interests of the State,
involved in these Improvements, than the avowa
of such determination. Nor is il less unwIse 10
disparage the value Of the Commonwealth pro-
perty, at The very moment ofputling it in marker
for sale. No intelligent private citizen would so
act, in reference TO his own estate He would bard
Iy give notice TO capitalists, in advance, that he
would sell his farm for lair price; but if unwil
ling TO pay such reasonable consideration, they
cond have il for half the money. Nor would such
person proclaim, that OF all The farms in the coun
try, his the least productive.
1t is certainly the wish fmany good citizens Of
the Stae-perhaps maoriy-lha, the public
works should be sold +; but this desire is evidently
based upon the assumption that the measure would
be one of real economy-tha,i would lessen, with.
out The hazard OF increasing, their annual lakes
The realization Of such an object, il musl be per
ceived, then, depends entirely upon the price and
terms. Those who desire sale, certainly expecl
the State TO be the gamer by such a measure No
other important or sufficient reason tor parting with
The property has been assigned.
Il is usually said that The work should be sold to
pay The public debt and lessen lhe burhens of The
people but it must be observed, that a sale might
be made al price far too low 10 effect such pur,
poses; and fso, 10 give them away would be still
less likely 10 produce the desired resdl. Should
the gross sum received, not be equal to that on
which The nett earnings would pay The interest,
then The effect would be 10 increase rather than
diminish these annual bnriIens This is not what
The people desire TO accomplish by sale nor will
hey be satisfied with such disposition of their
property.
The real value of the public works, is a propo-
son full OF difficulty and doubt mol the General
Assembly will approach the inquiry, duly impress
sed with lis Importance. Ten millions of dollars
was fixed, by The law Of last session, as The Prce
for The main line. This minimum is said by some
10 be loo high, and the failure TO sell, regarded as
the consequence. Others attribute the absence OF
bidders, 10 the condition Of The money markel-to
The Stringent restrictions imposed upon The law;
and 10 The efforts that had previously made 10 dis