Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1859-01-14

of the act, and by my approval. deposited with
the State Treasurer to the amount of two mil
lions Of dollars; and the mortgages on the ca
nails given by the Sunbury and Erie Railroad
Company, were cancelled by the State Treasu-
rer, and surrendered by me to the company in
accordance with the directions of the law. At
the same time a settlement was made between
the Commonwealth and the Railroad Company
by which the latter paid to the State seventy
five per centum of the proceeds of the resale
over aud above the contract price of three and
half millions. This amounted to two hum
dred add eghty-oue thousand two hundred and
fifty dollars, aud was paid in the following man
ner, viz:
Bonds of the Wyoming Canal Com
pany, secured by mortgage on the
canal from WilkesbarTe to North
nmberland, payable in twenty years
with interest at six per cent. paya-
bic semi annual 1921 900
Cash $50
Total $2S1 $50
These bonds are we'll secured, and the accru-
ing interest and principal, when due, will doubt
less be promptly paid.
From information of a reliable character re-
Gently communicated to me by the President of
the Sunbury and Erie Railroad Company, it
appears that the prospects of an early compile
ton of that public highway are very encour-
aging. \ large amount of work has been
done on the line Of the road during the past
season, and at this time, very considerable por-
tions of the road are graded aud rapidly APP
pro4ching completion. 1t is the opinion Of the
President of the company that within two years
the work will be entirely finished so that ears
will be running directly from the city Of Phila-
delphia to the harbor Of Erie.
When this great enterprise shall be consu.
mated, aud the desire Of its friends finally ac-
complishod, the payment of the three millions
and half of mortgage bonds, which the State
has received in exchange for the canals, will
unqueslionably be we'll secured-whilsi the
railroad, itself, will prove of incaleulable ad-
vantage to our great commercial emporium as
we'll as to t5e important, bat long neglected re-
gion through which il passes. It's construction
sriA4 49, +-rsia odd - tho value of the real
estate Of the Commonwealth mauy sriIsOg 80
cost, and develope and bring into use the rich
resources of a country which have hitherto re-
manned as they were lavishiy strewD by the
hand of nature. | nave an abidirg confidence
that the result will abundau'ly prove the wis
dom of the measure, which, while it guaranteed
the completion of one of the greatest improve
monts ever projected in the Commonwealth, it,
at the same time, divorced the State from the
improbable aud demoralizing management oi
her railroads and cau1ls.
WbateyeVer differences of opinion may, at
any time, have been entertained in regard to
the propriety of the details of the legislation
authorizing the sale of the main lime, or the
branches, 1t can scarcely be doubted that the
public welfare will, in every respect, be vastly
promoted by the transfer OF the management o
the public works from the State TO individual
owners.
The short experience that we have had al
ready, proves concusiyely that the Conmon.
wealth Is greatly the gamer, 10 a financial poin
of view, and it has been equally demonstrates
that the people at large have been as we'll, il
not better, accommodated, by the change.
! ltwould, in nay judgment, be public Gala
nifty, if, by the happening of any contingency
| the Commonwealth should be constrained tt
again become the owner, and resume the man
agement of any portion of the public improve
ments.
The power of the General Assembly to pas
the Act of the 2lst of April, 1858, relative Il
the sale of the State canals was questioned be
fore the Supreme Court of the State, since tn,
transfer of the Canals and, after full argu
went, the Constitutienality of the Act was sus
tanned by the unanimous judgment of the Court
Since the sale of the public works, and tn
settlement of the principle outstanding claim
against the State, 1t Is obvious that there is NJ
further necessity for a Board of Conal Commits
siouers, or CAnal Department. / therefore
recommend the abolition of the board, and tia
provision be made for the transfer of the records
to the office of the Auditor General
/ In view of the foregoing exhibit of our re
sorces and financial condition, it is apparent tha
most interesting era has been reached in th
history Of the Commonwealth. Relieved from
the entanglng embarIassments of an extansiv
system of internal improvements, the means 0
the State now ample for all legitimate pur
poses, and her public debt is gradully but Ger
tainly disappearing. From these and othe
causes, governmental action has become great,
sinplifed, and the nature of the subjects Of it
operation has changed IN a degree no less re
mar kabe.
The almost entire disposal of the lands whic
belonged to the State, has already dispense
With one of the Departments created for thei
care, aud will, ultimately, render the other un
necessary, except for preserving the evidences o
their transfer.
The sale Of the public works has relieved tn
Executive branch of the Government of man
of its most responsible and perplexing duties
and in effect, dispensed with one Of its mos
formidable aud difficult departments.
In the same proportion, the action Of the Le
gislature will, if the representatives of the peo
pie be true to the interests repased, aud sternl.
refuse to entangle the public with those numer
Gus projects and enterprises which are eontinu
aliy seeking its alliance, be sinPlitied ana econ
cnized, purified and strengthened.