The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1857-06-03
ID litifal.
HON. oEoReEP. STEELE
$ PEE CHI
OF LUZERNE COUNTY,

VIZ hCSlllelNE WYNN 4
ptzlg gsr=e 81 1Ics srk4se orslprNss l..sas.A,
ON THURSDAY, MAY 7TH, PENDING THE BILL
FOR THE SALE OF THE MAIN LINE,
Mr. Spsaksr:--l have occupied but little Of
the time of this body during the session in
the way of speech-making, having always
preferred being an attentive listener 10 those
WHO have had experience ir matters of lesis-
la,ion; but, sir, at the present stage of our
deliberations feel it duty incumbent upon
me 10 raise my feeble voice against the inq.
ilous measure now pepding. We're / 10 re-
main in my seat without uitering word in
condemnation Of this proposed act, my con-
slituens would lhpk-and Justly too--lhat 4
had proved recIeant 10 every principle Of
honor-lhstI was neslectful of the great in
terests of the Com .nonwealih, and that, as a
necessary consequences, j was unfit 10 repre-.
sent them. 10 justice 10 the past, present,
and fuiure-in justice 10 the hard working
tax-payer-in justice 10 everything near and
dear 10 the glory and prosperity of our coun-
. try, propose saying few words in the way
OF admonilion. .ssr frrt. r.
Sir, in my humble Judgment very manyof
the provisions Of this bill are based upon er-
ror and fraught with giea, owl. Some cf
Them believe 10 be Wholly unconstitutional,
and an outrage upon the rights Of the homes,
taxpayers of Pennsylvania. ----.--.-
Sir, the very idea Of selling the main line
of the public. works to q mammoiii, heart
less, soulless corporation, is simply absurd,
and should be treated with derision and con-
tempt by every well-hirking man. The peo-
pie of this country, sir, are not quite prepared
to form a gigantic graspiug monopoly that
may hereafter be able and willing 10 dictate
TO The voters who their rulers shall be and
what kind Of Legislation they shall have
No, sir, L trust the public mind is not yet
poisoned 10 such an extent as 10 permit the
preparation of so gross an. outrage. 81
Sir am fully convinced that the friends
OF the Pennsylvania Railroad Company, to.
gelher with those who fell interested in 9th.
er companies, have year after year labored
zealously aud yindclively in orderio bring
the main line Of our, public works into dis.
repuie; and, sir, Ibelisve from motives, both
selfish and designing, they have endsavored
to render the Canal Board rsprskensible and
odious il the eyes of the people. Now, Mr..
Speaker, from my own'khowledge and jndg.
ing from all that can see or hear, my mind
10 fully made up that The Canal Board have
been sinned egainsifa far more than they have
sinned. If they have committed any great
wfong or are. guilty Of any henons offence,
why 10 !. moi shown 10 Senators? Z 1t is neilh-
er my province or inclination TO stand hese
idstfying wrong, let il come from what qdaf.
ter il may. Neither is II agreeable 10 my
ear 10 hear any of our public officers abused
unless some good cause be first shown. IS
Sir, the Legislature made large appropria
tions during the last session for repair, laying
new rails, So, on she Allegheny Portage
road and the different roads on the main
line Of our public works, amounting 10 be
tween 100000 and $4,000, 900. vnde
the direction OF the Canal Board Il bas beer
expended in good faith Is there anything
wrong in hiatt am credibly informed tba