Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1858-06-03
SALE OF THE STATE CANALS.

SALE IHE STATE CANALS.
We publish, this week, letter from Sena-
tor MYER, addressed to his constituents, upon
the subject of q sale of the State Canals, to
which we invite the attention and considera-
ton of our readers. Mr.. MYER has deemed
this publication necessary, as an act of justice
to himself and his constituents, to disabuse the
public mind of erroneous prejudices and ideas,
circulated by interested and designing men,
concerning the value of the State Canals as
source of revenue to the Commonwealth, and
also as regards the terms of the sale to the
Smbury and Erie Road.
As to the general policy of severing the
State from all connexion with, or management
of, public improvements, we did not suppose,
nor do we believe, their is any difference Of
opinion amongst the people of this section
The policy of a sale has been universally APP
proved. Gov. Pollock in his memorable cam
pagn of 1854, madea sale of the public works
one of his principal grounds of appeal to the
people for their support. The Republican
State Convention held last year, which nomi-
mated Judge WHMoT, took open and decided
ground in favor of the sale of the Main Line,
for reasons which applied as strongly to the
State works, viz AS a source of revenue be.
ing wholly worthless to the State, while they
are notoriously used as as a means of pecua-
tion and plunder, thereby infctlng upon the
State pecuniary loss, and also irreparabe in
jury, in the almost universal Generalization
and political proaigacy engendered throughout
the whole extent.
To this statement of facts, and expression
of opinion, the Republican party was pledged,
as far as we have any knowledge, with entire
satisfaction and unanimity. The Main Line
was sod to the Pennsylvania Railroad Compa-
n.y. upon their own terms, no other bidders ap-
pearing, and though the price was low, with
the assent and hearty concurrence of the tax
payers. Along the line, to be sure, was heard
the mutterings of discomfort, proceeding from
those leecheS who had fattened upon the pub
lie treasury, but unleechlike held the more
tenaciously the fuller they were gorged.
Those who are fault-fnding with the action
OF the Legislature in disposing of the public
works, seem to have fallen back upon the
grounds originally assumed by those interest
ed in keeping them under state mismanage-
ment. The burden Of the outcry now is, their
value as improvements and as a source of rev.
tO ba E tbo nfo IT,
this latter position figures are tortured into all
sorts of shape, and added and substracted and
multiplied, until the revenue from the improve
ments is made to appear at an enormous sum
per annum. Senator MYER diSposes of all
these calculations, by simple reference to
the fact, that the State debt, notwithstanding
these profitable sources of revenue has been
undiminished If the public works have paid
so large profit why is it not the fact appa-
rent, in a large addition to the sinking fund,
a corresponding reduction of the State debt
The fact is, while the Canal Commissioners,
and those engaged in plundering, have felt it
incumbent occasionally to make up tables
which should present a fair show, the Treasury
of the Commonwealth has not been benefited,
and what appears by the tables to be source
of profit, has been burthen.
The people have become tired and sick of
the msmanagement and plunder and pecula-
tion carried on upon the public works of the
State. They had become the great sources of
decentralization and political prostitution. The
Offices had become asyums for decayed and
profligate politicians, not selected for their fit
ness but from political considerations. and in
many cases for ulterior purposes Prominent
! politicians have sought Offices where the law.
full salary was beneath their notice, because
such posts offered opportunities for plunder-
One such official demoralizes all those with
whom he has dealings. They soon learn that
the Commonwealth is being pundered and be-
come anxious to share, and so the poison
spreads, until every person who furnishes ma
terialS, or has any cohnexion with the public
works. expects to plunder the State This
fact has become notorious along the line of
old improvements and we of the North Branch
were in a fair way to see the same results