The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1857-06-03
BLOOMSBURY. COLUMBIA COUNTY, PA, WEDNESDAY,

relative 10 its being exempted from paying
tax on a large amount of property in and
about Pilsburg, was under considerations
The venerable Senator from Allegheny, (M:.
Wilkins osether with his colleague, (Dr.
Gazzam,) protested strongly agains, its. pass
age, upon the ground that it was wrong aud
unjust for any corporation 10 be released
from paying fair and equitable tax; but, sir,
when the question was fairly before The Se".
ate, then for the first time | fancied that
could plainly see the company's solicitor, one
of lis generals, and captain stationed in
different paris Of the chamber with view
of obtaining the ear of their respective party
| friends. By this system of tactics, the Sem
alors from Allegheny were soon overpower-
ed, and The company gol all the legislation
asked for. Now, sir, am free 10 acknowl-
edge tha. from that time up 10 the present
hour have been alarmed. I'm all candor,
why should we not be? 1t is evident TO any
close observer of events that il is a foregone
conclusion that this mammoth company is
rule or ruin-,hat is, either by coercion or
corruption.
The interests of my immediate constitu.
ents viii! be injured 10 a great extent, from
the fact that the Eastern Division of The
Pennsylvania Canal is 10 be included in the
sale. 1t is evident that majority Of the coal
operators in Luzerue County, who ship coal
10 an eastern market, will be forced 10 pay
about twenty five cents per ton additional
| toll for all time 10 come; and, sir, that will
nearly, if not quite, amount to prohibition
of our coal trade in that section OF the State.
Sir, The Canal Board, SO far as the interests
of the Commonwealth would permit, wisely
discriminaled in favor of the coal trade com
ing from the Wyoming valley. They ar.
ranged their toll sheet SO that all coal pass
ing down The canal one hundred miles,
should then pass free through TO Columbia.
1t is about one hundred and six miles from
our coal field TO The Junction, at Duncan's
Island. Senator'S can very readily see tn at
should the Eastern Division go into the
hands of company, many of my constu.
enls would be compelled to pay exorbiart,
and perhaps villainous, rates Of toll on that
palt of the canal. Coal from Lykens Valley
passed nearly ninety miles less in distance
10 ma arket than does that which is shipped
from Luzerne; and from the Shamokin re-
Gion about sixly.fiv miles less. Consequent
ly il will be perceived that had not the Canal
Board wisely Disseminated in favor of the
wyon;ns Valley coal ,rudo, the. roveuue
derived would have boon $I25, 900 less
Than ii was, simply because The operators in
that Valley could not have competed with
operators that ship coal so much nearer mar
ket. In proof OF my assertions, I would
merely refer you 20 the amount of tolls re-
ceived at the collectors office at Beach
Haven, which last year came 10 more than
1854 900. Who can doubt that had not a
proper discrimination been made that Sl25,-
900 less would have been collected at that
office! These are facts that speak for them
selves.
Mr. Speaker was appointed, in The year
1915, one of three Commissioners 10 meet in
Philadelphia to sell the Delaware division Of
the pennsy lvania Canal, under law that was
passed the previous session; and, sir, | will
here take occasion 10 pronounce that law an
abomlnabe outrage upon the interests OF the
Commonwealth. 1t was made the duty of
The Commissioners 10 open books and receive
subscriptions amounting 10 $l,7o0,0 900; and
! it was also provided that when that amount
was subscribed that we should close the
books, and issue certificates OF stock 10 the
subscribers. The law did not allow us 10
take any more for it than that amount. Be-
ing convinced that the whole project was
wrong, accomplished ed its defeat by one vote,
through the aid of Hon. Samuel D. Ingham,
who was also one of the Commissioners.
Now, Mr.. Speaker, can you or any other
Senator say that the Delaware division is not
now worth 100000 more at fair SALE 1t
has been paying canal ever since that day.
have only referred 10 this subject in order to
show tha, my judgment in that instance was
! correct, as time has fully and clearly demon
! slra,ed. This is one of the many reasons
why have confidence in my own judgment
| in matters of this kind.
Sir, when rose it was not my intention 10
have occupied SO much of The time of the
Senate. AS an apology, have only 10 say
that my constituents, as much as those of any
other Senator upon this floor, have deep
and an abiding interest in the future welfare
of this good old Commonwealth. Sir, |
would be willing 10 talk north if by SO
doing her interests would be protected.
The Senator from Craw ford, in the course
Of his remarks yesterday, said he could not
see why senators would vote against this bill
without giving their reasons for so doing
In the language of tha, Senator have had
my "pnch in" and hope the Senate will
pardon me for occupying SO much OF lis
time.