Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1856-01-12
6obtrnor's Messaee.
Abstract of the Message.

The sum of Sl6l ,l25 % has been paid into
the treasury by the Pennsylvania Railroad
Company and other railroad companies. as
the tax on tonnage passing over their roads.
This amount largely exceeds the sum paid by
the same companies in 1854.
The Delaware division exhibits satsrc-
tory result The total receipts were S392,-
G1342: expenditures, S60,091 Sc: showing
net revenue of $332,515 Sc. If all our
lines of improvement exhibited similar
balance sheet, the people would have less
cause of complaint and more confidence in
the general operation of the system.
There has been large increase in the bu-
siness and tonnage of the Columbia railroad,
and corresponding Increase in the receipts
therefrom. The operations of this road. for
the past year. have been highly satisfactory.
The operations of that part Of the main line
from the Junction 10 Pittsburg. including
Portage railroad, do not present so favorable
u result The receipts have greatly dimin-
ishcd, and were not sufficient to meet the or
dnary expenditures The revenues from he
main line do not equal the receipts OF the
previous years. The causes of this reduction
are apparent, and some of them have heen
referred TO and enumerated. 1t is but just
to add. that the expenditures on this line
have been much diminished 10y the avoidance
of some Of the inclined planes on the Portage
railroad.
regret to inform you that the railroad to
avoid the inclined planes Oh the Allegheny
mountain has not been completed, as was
confidently anticipated. The delay in the
completion Of this work has occasoned much
( Inconvenience to the business of the main
/ line, and Il loss to the revenues Of the Com
monwealth. The expenditures have largely
exceeded the original estimates for its con
| structiUn and although the sum Of S2.I,-
I30 % was appropriated at the last session ol
The Legislature for the completion of this
works. sum covering the estimate Of the en-.
gineel--yet after the expenditure Of the whole
amount thus appropriated, the road is uniin
isied; anl to complete it, and pay the debts
contracted, the further sum of Sl17.573 &C
us now estimated by the engineer, will be re-
qui ed E.lher the estimates have been very
ca elessly made, or large sums Of money use,
lessly ard extravagantly expended in the
prosecu ion Of this improvement. AS aiding
the bHsinusS Of the main line. reducing still
flrther its exl enditures and relieving tn,
Treasury from these constant demands, the
ann 'uncemrut of its early completion will b,
hailed with pleasure by every citizen.
Although the completion OF the North
Branch canal before the close of navigation
: was certainly expected, yet this expectation
has not been realized The efforts of tn,
present Superintendent, Mr.. Maiiit during
the past year, to complete and put in success
iul operation this canal, deserves the llighes
commendation. Everything that skill, ener
cy. and industry could accomplish, has beel
done. The labor to he performed was great
and rendered more difficult and perpexing b,
he imperfect and fraudulent construction Q
he old work and some portion Of the new
The large quantity Of rocks, trees, stumps
and roots placed in the bottom Of the cana
and the defective material used in the EN-
hankments, suffered the water TO escape al
; most as rapidly as admitted, and rendered
reconstruction Of the work, in many places
ndispensibly necessary. Its successful con
pletion it is hoped, will soon be announced.
1t will appear by the report of the Con
mitteo of Ways and Means made to the Hous
of Representatives in le49. that the entir
amount necessary to complete and put in OF
erection the unfinished portions of this cana
was estimated at the sum Of Sll06031 VI
, The amount actually expended on the wor
since that period, as appears from the report
of the Superintendent. Engineer, and Can,
Commissioners, is 81 .657,317 52, being an e
cess of expenditures over the original est
I mates of S15l, $40 So and the canal not y
l in operation. With such facts before us
such evidence OF mismanagement and rec
less expenditure as the history Of this can
: shows. it is not matter Of surprise that Il
< Commonwealth and people are burdened vii
n debt and taxation.
!, The currency of the State, in it's relation
. banking institutions. and their increase, is
subject that demands careful and intelige
consideration. From the notice given Of u