Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1857-05-28
SALE OF THE MAIN LINE.

The Legislature which adjourned last week,
passed many laws which had much better been
left undone, but the passage of the law to sell
the main line of the public works should be
sufficient to cover u multitude of transgres-
sions. We hail the passage of this act as the
dawning of a better day for Pennsylvania
While we would save the rights Of the public
from oppression and monopoly we have never
thelcss always felt as if the price to be obtain
ed for these improvements was a secondary
consideration. Regard for the financial inter-
ests Of the Commonwealth, and particularly
consideration for public morals mperatively
demanded that this fruitful source of corrup-
ton and decentralization should be broken up.
The main line has nursed a nest of robbers
for years, who held on like leeches until they
were gorgcd, and fell off, to give place to
new and hungry set 1t has exertcd a baleful
and corrupting influence both morally and po-
liticalv. We trust the time has now come
when this Augean stable will be ceanscd, and
the horde of thieves and plunderers be dispers
ed
The main line sold, and the stealings attach
ed to the office OF Canal Commissioners will he
very materially diminished. The Upper North
Branch has been virtually taken from them
The management of that work will contrast so
strongly with want of energy on the remain
der of the public works that it will not be long
before the office will be abolished, and the i'm
provements, if not sold, placed in the hands of
men who will be directly responsible.
The Act providing for the sale of the Main
Line of the Public Works, makes it the duty
of the Governor to advertise the sale within
ten Gays after the approval of the Act 1t
declares that the sale may be made for sum
not less than 81 100000 No bid to be ac-
cepted unless the sum Of 100000 is deposit
ed with the Governor, in cash or State bonds,
to be forfeited if the terms of the sale are not
complied with. If the Pennsylvania Railroad
Company purchase it, the price is $4,000, 900,
the Whole amount of sale to be paid in the FIVE
per cent. bonds Of the Company. OF these
bonds, 100000 will fall due July 9lst, 1853,
and 100000 annually thereafter until July
3lst, 1890, 81, ,OCO, 900 will fall due, and ST.
100000 annually thereafter till the whole is
paid. The Company and its connections are
released from the payment Of all other taxes
or duties on its capital stock, bonds, dividends
or property, except for city, borough, county,
township and school purposes. 1t may pur-
chase or lease the Harrisburg and Lancaster
road, and it may straighten and improve the
Philadelphia and Columbia Railroad, and ex-
tend it TO the Delaware. The purchaser of
the works is to have perpetual corporate
succession, but the Legislature may revoke the
privileges granted for abuse of them, judi
cial decree of abuse being previously had, and
full compensation being made to the stockhol-
derS if the State decide to resume the fran.
chises The purchasers are prohibited from
making any discrimination in tolls, or charges
or any priority of passage through locks pas
sing to or from the Susguehanna division
They shall at all times keep open the present
connection at Columbia and Middletown with
the Susquehanna, Tide Water and Union Ca
nails, and shall at no time discriminate against
the trade or tonnage passing to or from the
said canals neither shall they at any time
charge more for boats or other crafts passing
the outlet locks at Columbia and Middletown,
than is how charged for the passage of boats
or similar crafts through other locks owned
by this Commonwealth.
In pursuance of this law the Governor has
adyertized the Main Line for sale at the Mer-
chants Exchange in Philadelphia, on the 25th
of June next at l-2 o'clock, P. NJ. The
property advertised consists of the following |
The Main Line of the Public Works be-
tween Philadelphia and Pittsburg, consisting
of the Philadelphia and Columbia Railroad. |
the Allegheny Portage Railroad including the
new road to avoid the Inclined Planes. with |
the necessary and convenient width for the
proper use of said Railroads, the Eastern Di-
vision of the Pennsylvania Canal, from Colum-
bia to the Junction, the Juniata Division of
the Pennsylvania Canal from the junction to
the Eastern terminus of the Allegheny Por-
tagc Railroad and the Western Division of