Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1856-11-29
APPOINTMENTS DY rae CAS,L CONMis-
SioHEES-TiE policy or ABOLiSf!ING
TIiEB BOARD.

THE BOARD.
For number Of years past, suggestions
have come from various sections of the
commonwealth. urging the proprety o! abul-
iSbng the Board Of Canal Commissioners, as
now organised. The fact that undue outside
Influence, had impaired the efficiency Of the
Board has long been apparent, and it was
not, therefore surprising that complaints
should have become loud and general. But
the patronage OF the Board is large, much
greater than that Of the Governor. aud is
freely used TO silence those who have the
power to apply the corrective, and who often
use that power for the most INSCRIPTIONS
purposes. That theA should be head or
organization, to control our public works,
rs long us they belong 10 the State. is not
doubted, but such head should be indie
pendent, aud responsible only to the peoples
"Urawed by influence unbribed by gain"
~, "". ..','.' - .,,,"..~-.. ''i.l 'h- i',Ue. at
mode OF making appon'm will pretend
that such Is now The state Of affairs. The
tenure by which the members of the board
hold their Office, is the result Of legislative .i-
actments, and it is not uncommon or unre-
quent for members, not only to advise. but to
dictate to the board, the appointments they
desire. And thus they are frequently made
to cover before an oligarchy as despotic and
tyranicul, as any that ever cursed the tribu-
uals Of ancient Greece or Rome
1T is high time that the matter is settled
whether members of the legislature aud their
appointments. If the latter are afraid to as
sumo the responsibility, the sUuEcr that pow
er is lodged in the hands of some efficient and
reponsiLle head. the better for the interests
OF the commonwealth aud the morals OF the
community.
We cannot better illustrate the trlth OF
the foregoing remarks. than by referring to
the late action Of the Board. particularly in
the removal of James pieIrnbach the
supervisor Of the SuSquehanna Division. Ii
was in vain that Mr. Cay, the State engineer
went before the Beard and urged the neces-
sity oil the continuance Of Mr. Di,GeuL aca
1t was in vain that he stated that he WAS
one OF the most active, efficient and indus.
trOuS officers on the public works, and had
no superior in the State. 1t was IN vain
that that honest and unHuching old Democra,
1hoS. ii. FUrSythe, the President Of the
Board, uIgei, not only the necessity, but the
jhsticc Of Mr.. D.eaenbach's appointment
IL sl NOT h..
against whom there was no complaint. The
opponents Of Mr.. pietlenbach had persona
resentmen,s 10 crafty, and had made numer
ous promises Of place and station. a tithe o
/ which they never expected TO iUlil. Legis
| lative influence from this and other counties
| coupled with threats, was brought TO bear OF
/ the Commissioners. Stool-pigeon candidates
! Tor Supervisor were set up and knoc
down, aS part Of the game. The 'Oruu
mental Major and Congress nan" elect Q
this district, flushed with the exci,emen
Of Yaingi"rious victory, ana other siimulu
! ting causes, headed these forces. and viii
that modest assurance, peculiar to him
self, demanded numerous appointments. b,
virtue of "my position" the absurdity o
which is, perhaps, made more palrub.e l.. Ill
following co!loquy, the truth Of which can b.
testified to by all present -
Major D.-Geutlemeu have q request t
make Of This board
Nh ForSyh-Well sir, let US hear you
request.
Nyor D.-I request the appointment G
Mr.. Mccormick as Supervisor for the Yves
Branch. Mr.. Woverton for the North Branc
aud Mr., Elliott for the Suquehanna Division
Mr.. Forsyih.-ls that all Had you no
better continue on down the line.
Ng'or D.-No sir, that is all request
Mr., ForsU4,-A very modest Request
truly
lr,f.- = rlw.tcIiug his ponts) My pc
s!tlon think entities me TO make this le
quest.
Nh IorSyM-I have held a number oF no
s'lloas myself and have yet to learn why
mans position 'hould give him privileges owe
others. a member Of Congress is no belte
than the humblest individual, aud rr,sn,r,l
not as good. Besides don't see what bus
ness member of Congress has TO interler
with 'h' appointments of tb Canal Board