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

shall become the purchasers, "lo assign and
transfer their right 10 said Main Line, under
said purchase, 10 any Railroad or Canal Com.
pany created by the laws of this Commons
wealth." The privilege of transfer, under
such circumstances, without increasing com
petition, gives color TO the assertion that the
bill has been so framed as to enable private
parties--now engaged in procuring this leg
islation-lo purchase merely for the purpose
of selling al an advance, as an indemnify foi
their services.
I'd. Because, although The bill purpohs 10
be sale of the Main Line, it, in reality, more
nearly resembles git 10 the Pennsylvania
Railroad Company, if that company should
obtain it on the terms proposed. The extra
ordinary extension of creai, tie low rate oi
interest, the release Of tho totsaage tax, anu
the exemption, forever, lrom all other taxation
or duties for State purpose will enable that
company 10 liquidals every dollar of the pur-
chase money before the last payment shall
mature, by merely appropr.aling, for that
purpose, the taxes from which they are thus
released.
3rd. Because the zrelsese Of the tonnage
tax is not accompanied with such limitation
upon the future rate of dividends OF said com.
pany, as will cause said release 10 enure 10
the benefit of The trade and commerce of the
State. Such Limitation would be in accord
ance with the original design Of the enler.
pr'sing citizens of Philadelphia and Phtsburg,
ard of xthe various municipalities who SUBJ
scribed so literally 10 The Pennsylvania Rail-
road Company, not expecting or desiring
large dividends upon their investments, but
10 promote the great objects above referred
10.
4lh. Because the bill provides that in the
event OF the Pennsylvania Railroad company
becoming the purchaser, said company shall
not only be exempt from Ihe tonnage tar, now
amounting TO 1926 900 per annum, hut that
in addition, it "ShaR be released from the pay.
ment Of all other ta1es or duties 10 the Common
,oealth on its capital stock, bonds, dividends or
property" The latter amount, from which The
Pennsylvania Railroad company would be
thus relieved, may be moderately estimated
at one hundred thousand dollars year.
Such an exemption from taxation is moi
only without precedent but should be depre-
Gated as establishing an exceedingly Danger
ous one and is in violation of that principle
of equality of taxation so fundamental in our
form of government.
5lh. Because The bill does not contain a
sufficient guarantee that The Western division
of Main Line "sball be kept in good repair
and 6pefaIIna condIhln rus estabrrshrns
an invidious distinction between The Eastern
and Western portions Of the Stale, although
both have contributed proporionally 10 the
burden of constructing and maintaining the
entire line.
9Th. Because The bill does-not require that
the President and Directors of the company,
purchasing said lire, should be citizens and
residents Of the Slate. The importance of
such requirement is manifest from the fact,
that under our general law, only majority
of the Directors of Caual and Railroad COM
panies need be resident citizens; and by some
special charters even majority is not nee.
essary. In fact, the management of several
OF these companies is located entirely out of
the Stale. Thus, by the provisions of this
bill, the Main Line may pass into The hands
of those whose rival interests and feelings
would not afford any guarantee that ii would
be managed so as 10 subserve the grea, OBJ
jscts of its construction. -
7lh. Because, if the Pennsylvania Railroad
company should become the purchaser, there
should be a provision, that the Stale or The
cities of Philadelphia and Pittsburg, shall re-
tain voice in the direction of the affairs Of
the Consolidated Line, irrespective of. and
although they may part with, the stock now
held by them 10 said company. So important
a work should no, be managed as much with
reference to The interest Of stockholders, as 10
those g-eat public objects of trade and COM
metce already referred To-. f.I-r
sih. Because the charter OF any company
purchasing said Main Line is made and de-
clared perpetual; and there is not such
proper or sufficient reservation of legislative
control as 10 enable the Legislature, in The
future, to protect the general interests of the
Commonwealth and hef,eitizens.
slvuc.as VIM. WILKINS, s..,,s.,
-,.....,., a.. N. B. BROWNE,
JOHN CRESsWELL, JR.,
--' VIM. Fl. WELSH, go
.r.as s.a JAS. HI WALTON, .ra
u 10 aa.ntay, HENRY FETTER, ,.-
r., 900 i... THOMAS P. KNOX,
JOS. LAUBACH,
'a74s "A. '- JONATHAN ELY, Hesa
Ho0s iss 'f GEORGE p. STEELE, 3,
~ nsm go JNO. G.. EVANS, sr 81.
.-.i .-r GEO. w. BREWER,
..i... r RICH. L. WRIGHT,