Columbia Democrat and Bloomsburg general advertiser. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1850-1866, 1857-05-30
SPEECH
HON. GEORGE p. STEELE

OF LUZERNE COUNTY,
syersd IN the Senate Of nsypania on Thutsday Nay
7, pending the Bill for the sale Of the Main Line.
Mr.. SPEAKER IL have occupied but
little Of the time of this body during tho
session in the way Of speech making, hav-
ing always preferred being an attentive
listener to those who have had experience
in matters of legislation; but, sir, at the
present stage of our deliberations | feel
it duty incumbent upon me to raise
my feeble voice against the iniquitous
measure now pending. Were 1 to remain
in my seat without uttering word in con-
demnation of this proposed act, my consti
tuents would think-and justly too-tlat
[ had proved recreant to every principle
of honor--that 1 was neglectful Of the
great interests of the Commonwealth, and
that, as a necessary consequence, was
unfit to represent them, In justice to the
past, present, and future---in justice to the
hard working tax-payer-in justice to
everything noar and dear to the glory and
prosperity Of our country, propose saying
few words in tho way of admonition.
Sir, in my humble judgment, very many
of the provisions of this bill are based upon
error and fraught with great evil. Some
of them believe to be wholly unconstitu-
tionsl, and an outrage upon the rights Of
the honest tax payers of Pennsylvania.
Sir, the very idea of selling the main
line of the public works to mammoth,
heartless, soulless corporation, is simply
absurd, and should be treated with deri-
sion and contempt by every well-thinking
man. The people of this country, sir, arc
not quite prepared to form gigantic
grasping monopoly that may hereafter be
able and willing to dictate to the voters
who their rulers shall be and what kind of
legislation they shall have. No, sir,
trus, the public mind is not yet poisoned
to such an extent as to permit the perpo-
traton of so gross an outrage.
Sir, am fully convince that the friends
of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company,
together with those who felt interested in
other companies, have year after year la
brrcd zealcnsly and vindictively in order
to bring he main line of our public works
into disrepute; snd sir, believe from
mo'ives, both selfish and designing, they
have endeavored to render the Canal
Board reprehensibe and odious in the
eyes of the people. Now, Mr., Speaker,
from my own knowledge, and Judging
from all that l can see or hear, my mind
is fully made up that the Canal i ard
have been sinped against far more than
they have sinued. If they have committed
any great wr1ng or are guilty OF any helm.
GUS offence, why is it not shown to Sena.
tors! 1t is neither my province or inci-
nation tn stand here justifying wrong, lei
it come from what quarter it may. Neither
is it agreeable to my ear to hear any ot
our public officers abused unless some good
cause be first sh VII.
Sir, the Legislature made l.rgc appro-
priatinns during the last session for repair
yng new rails, &c, on the Allegheny y
Portage road and the different roads on
the main line of our public works, amount
ing to between 81 900, 900 and 81 900, 900
| Under the direction Of the Canal Board it
has been expended in good faith Is there
anything wrong in that | am credibly
inform ed that all the works are in excellent
condition, This being true, is it strange
that the Pennsylvania and other railroad
| companies sh' uld now combine their inhu
| ence in order to Gch from the State the
peoples improvements If afterthe work.
have been placed in paying order, and q
profit is about to be realized from an i'm
mense expenditure recently made, they are
| to be given away to an overgrown corpo
ration, it is high time the Industrious taz
payers be heard,
! Sir, feel confident that the public mind
has been greatly abused and deceived by
the clamor raised against the public work.
and its agents. J 1he hirelings Of these
mammoth monopolies have in this maDnel
succeeded in inducing thousands oi homes
men to believe that corruption existed il
the Canal Board, and that peculation wa
tho order of the day along the VIII lie lin
of our public works. Sir, the yilifcalion
and SANDERS have been reiterated an(
trumpcd up year after year so that tn
people would become dissatisfied; and tina
done they could make an easy prey of tn
States property, And, sir, from presen
appearances am led to believe that the,
have got SO strong grasp as to leave bu
little hope for the interests of the people
Sir, if this bill passes with all its dan
| gerous provisions, my opinion is that tn
people who have been hoodwinked an,
deceived by this false camor will fin
themselves in a situation that / will try t
illustrate by relating matter that rea
in Esop's fables when l was & boy.
was something like this A number q
frogs had good old log in a beautilr
pool of water where they enjoyed them
selves in great harmony and comfort 70
many years; but their rulers used bad in
3 fuences among them, and hey at last be
came dissatisfied. Influences were brougi
to bear upon the innocent creatures to il
duce them to call on Jupi er to send dow
some new idol that they might worship
Consequently Jupiter sent them down
D long legged, long billed stork. He cam
It quietly in among them, and remained s