Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1857-01-14
426S20 81
oia 0spo 80
O4S-J-- [J
s2,0O6,0I5 &C
Total receipts,

The extraordinary payments during the year.
amounted to $S0S ,S92 l6; ordinary expendi-
lures. 81 .l35, ,004 90; net revenue, (exclCding
extraordinary payments and for motive po"er)
S871 OH 90.
On the main line the tolls received at the
Treasury from the Columbia road were $991,
go 30; expenditures S52S ,GS4 Sc; tolls on
the Eastern division of canal. from Columbia
to the Junction, SIl9718 So; expenditures,
S53.048 so; receipts from the Junction to
Pittsburg. including the Portage railroad,
SHIFTS 90 ordinary expenditures, S3l4,-
102 -. The total receipts en- the main line
were S1,229 272 SO; aggregate expenditures
excluding S26f ,0C0 co paid for re-layins the
sonth track of the CoIUmbia railroad and
S153 0f9 ~ for motive power in 1853, and af-
ter December lst, 1860 were $3.50 $50 65, be-
ing an excess Of revenue over ordinary ex-
penditures OF S343, 49, 2l.
Although :he receipts from the Delaware
division are less than those of the previous
year, yet the general result of its operations is
satisfactory. The net revenue at the Ireasu-
~ was S204 COS 40. It's management has been
characterized by degree of economy too sell
dom practiced on some of the lines OF our
improvements.
However important this division may be TO
the trade and business of that portion of the
State, its proposed enlargement should not be
undertaken, unless demanded by reasons OF O.
Yer-ruling necessity. The experience of the
past, rs connected with the Allegheny Portag-
railroad. and the North Branch extension
should warn us against undertaking. without
great caution, any new measure of improve
ment, which may drain the Treasury. without
aiding materially, if at all. the public interests
If kept in good order by efficient auG timely
repairs, its capacity will be- fully equal TO ali
the demands of its trade and business.
The Portage railroad is not fully completed.
A small additiodal appropriation may YET he
IL. .lF
road. 1t is snxiously hoped that this unpro-
ductivc Improvement may soon cease its cor
morant demand upGn tho Treasury. Every
years experience more clearly reveals the I'M
policy OF the State in undertaking this work.
1t gives me no ordinary pleasure To inform
you that the North Branch extension Of the
PENNSYLVANIA canal has been so lar completed.
that boats fricghtcd with coal and other lro-
ducts, were successfully passed through its
entire length from Pittston to the Junction
canal. This work was commenced IN 1856
suspended in 1Sil-resUmed in 1919, and fin
s:.cd in 1856; although ita completion was Of
ficiilly announced in 1865. j extends from
Pittston TO the New York State line, dis
tance of about ninety-four miles, following
the valley of the SuSquchanna to Athens. and
thence along the Chemung liver TO the State
line, where ii Joins the junction canal" and
is thus connected with the New York improve
menis.
The importance and value of this improve
ment cannot easily be over-cStimated. Pass
ing through one OF the richest mineral and ag
ricutural portions Of the State, it offers to the
immense and valuable prudUcts OF that region,
safe and cheap transit to the markets OF New
York, Baltimore, and Philadelphia. In the
completion of this canal the difficulties TO be
overcome, and the labor TO be performed, were
great. Both these, TO a great extent, have
been accomplished under the superintendencv
e T. h.ff.. FL rg..1-
assigned
This canal although completed, aad before
the close of navigation, used for the purpose
of transportation, is not perfect. Sinks in the
bottom, from the nature OF the formation and
soils through which it passes, slides from the
hills, and breaches may occur, but these
after few years of we'll applied labor will
be diminished. and by vigilance and care en-
tirely prevented.
This Improvement, although subject to the
rivalry OF competing railroads, If kept in good
condition. under proper management, will re-
ceive its full share OF coal and other Tonnage.
1t is anticipated that the revenues, for the
current year, will equal, if not exceed the ex-
penditnres; and Increasing with the facilities
afforded. and the rapid development of trade,
viii. instead of its heretofore unceaSing de-
mands upon the Treasury, take precedence in
revenue over any canal in the Commonwealth.
In relation to the propriety and policy of
the sale of the Main Line of our public inn
provements. my opinion has not changed
Every consideration of public policy, OF pres
ent and future interest, requires the separa-
tion of the State from the management and
control of these works The expenditures u
pom that portion Of the line, between the juno
ton and Pittsburgh, largely exceed the rev
'enues. the excess averaging annually not less
than one hundred and fifty thousand dollars
and causes are in constant operation that will
eel this dpfriprCv
tinusI drain upon TIE frsssury, 10 sustain