Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1857-01-14


should b. TeinOdied, and ulssic TO occupy that
honorable position which from its importance
and necessity IL deserves
Near the close OF the last session Of the Le-
zislzlure-I transmitted 20 that body an ordi-
nance usssed by the select and common couu-
cils of the city Of Philadelphia, approved by
the Mayor the 9Th OF April, 1856. aud OIL
cially communicated to me, proposing 10 con-
vey to the Commonwealth Of Pennsylvania
Ioi Of ground in that city, for the purpose Of
erecting thereon State arsenal, Want Of
time alone prevented action ou the proposition
then submitted The ground thus offered 10
The State IS valuable, and it's location most ei-
igiJle FOR the purpose intended. The condi-
tIO1s Of the proposed grant are favorable TO
the State and highly creditable 20 the municl-
Isal authorities of Philadelphia, eyincing lib
e5alify and public spiri; worthy Oi all coBmeH-
datioB- The necessity Of a State arsenal IN
that city is so apparent that the subject needs
nD elaboration IN this communication. Alter
the sale of the State arseral in PhIiadelphia,
the public arms were deposited IN sn old bull
ding. ar out house. unsafe and Uuhi a. de-
I,usiiury FOR public property. The sum OF
$4,000 GO. realized fiOn that sale. Is now ia
toe Treasury and hy tho ffiv-hith section OF
an act passed the 9th dty uf April. y. 1873,
entitled .sAn act to provide for the ordinary
exl enses Of government &c. tLc Governor
was authorized tn apply the same 70 the pur-
chase Of lot Oi ETOuud and the erection Of
an arsenal thereon. This sum wss found IN
sufficient for these purposes, and consequent
j. tic object intended isy the appropriation has
not been accomplished. By the crssion OF
this lot, the State wall be relieved from tie
expenditure Ui any money for the purchase OF
suitable grounds; aud the entire sum II S2O,-
00d % may be applied to the erection Of the
Necessary buiifingsi TO which sum csn be adj
ied. IL deemed advisI able, the amount that may
se realized from ihe sale OF the arscnals al
Ncadvilie and Harrisburg IS recommended IN
my last annual Message. These sums would
Dc amply sufficient TO accomplish this object.
would therefore again recommend the i'm
mediI;e passage Of 4 till accepting The. con
veyaUce Of the said lot Of grOuni from the
city uf Philadelphia, for the purposes and n
Pon tie terms and conditions contained IN the
ordinance and that the sum Of S39.OJD.OO bu
appropriated for the erection OF = State Arsen-
al thereon.
On the sixth day Of October, 1855, appro-
we'd and signed q bill entitled IAN Act 10 re-
peal tie charter OF the Erie and North East
Railroad Company. and 20 provide for the dis
posal 0i the same" In pursuance Of its pro-
visions, Hon. Joseph Casey was appointed to
take possession and have the charge aad Gus
tudy Of the road. Before possession VS. tn
ken, application was made by the Company,
20 one of the Judges Of tIIe Supreme Court Of
Pa, Tor an Injunction 70 restrain the Agent Of
tic State from taking possession; and subse-
Gusltiy CzutIOnary order was made by the
Supreme Court, IN bIuc, 20 stay proceedings
urriur the Act. The questions then pending
before that COuit were determined in favor Cf
the Comm uweaIth-the COustitutionalify Of
the Act Sustained. and the application for an
Injunction refused. Possession Of the road
was then taken by the Agent Of the State, as
directed by law.
On the euiy-sec0nd day of April, 1886, an
-. - -
Act Incorporating the Erie and North East
Railroad Company" was passed. Bv this Act
the Ere and North East Railroad, as original
ly located and constructed. was legalized and
confirmed; and certain changes in the road.
we're directed TO be made, and other acts 70
he done by the Company. Ii was also prOyi-
dei .sthat the Governor shall retain possession
OF the Erie and North East Railroad. under
the Act OF the sixth Of October, 1855, until
the provisions Of this Act shall have been ac-
cepfcd by 4 vote Of the stockholders Of the
Erie aud North East Railroad Company, at a
meeting called for that purpose" On the If
teenth day Of May, 1856, At meeting Of the
stockholders called for that purpose, the pro-
visions uf the Act were accepted Ly their
vote. This acceptance, duly certified, vas re
csived and fled in this Department on the fii-
ieenth day Of July last. Possession Of the
road has been restored, and it is now under
the care and management Of the Company
4 final account for money received from the
road, whilst in possession OF the State, will
be settled with the Company 1t the earliest
practicable period
II Is but proper 20 state that since the ac-
ccptsuce of the Act of the 22d of April, 1856.
4 wit Of error, in thc cases adjHdicaicd by
'bg Supreme Court Of Pennsylvania. has been
issued dt the suit 0f the Company 10y the Su-
Irene Court Of the United States, and is now
pending in that Court.
-. 4
resigned, 4. K. Mcclure, Esq. was appointed
in his place. The daties Dr both officers were
enly and faithfully performed. Copies OF their
correspondence and reports, herewith submit
ted to the House Of Representatives. for the
use OF the Legislature, will furnish inforna-
tion in detail on the subject now under con-
sideratiun. Ii is sincerely desired that good
faith and honesty Of purpose may character
ize the conduct of this company in thc dis
charge ui the duties assumed by their acccp-
tauce Of the Act OF the 22l of April last. and
that this much vexed question viii not again
disturb the harmony or rctard the prosperity
OF the city Of Erie, or any other pvrtiOn OF
this Commonwealth.
Tie resolution proposing amendments to
the Constitution of thc Commonwealth, have
been published directed by that instrument.
Il will be Your duty To take such action in re-
ference to- these amendments will, in your
judgement, be most consistent with the wish
Is Of the people. An appropriation will be
required 10 pay the expenses of their puliica-
ton. and to this your earliest attention is re-
quested.
The importan: duty Of ds:ricting the State
for the election of Senators and Representa-
iiycS, viii dcvolye upon you. This duty
shoud be performed faithfully. and with strict
reference TO she interests and rights Of the
whole people. Returns of taxlhles, req..ircd
10 he made hv the different counties, have not
l
law directed. Circulars have been issued TO
the officers CHARGED with these duties urcfng