Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1859-02-22
THE HoosIC TUNNEL.


The question of aid on the part of the State
to the accomplishment of the great work
Of tunneling the mountain, has again been
brought prominently before the people, by the
application of the corporation to the Legisla
ture for change in the conditions, on the full
filment of which, the Legislature of former
year had pledged the needed aid. These con-
ditions, we believe, were originally proposed by
the applicants, themselves, or, if not proposed
by them, they were declared to be entirely ac-
ceptable to them, and we were assured, that,
now, the work would go forward, without let
or hindrance, and that no further favors would
be asked of the State.
OF the course proper for the State to pursue
In this matter we have, from an early day, en-
tertained but one opinion, to wit that, if the
State should be made amply secure, against
any final loss by the loaning of her credit, good
policy dictated that she should do it !; not be-
cause there is any great imperative necessity
for the work-that necessity having been al
ready provided for, by the construction of the
Western road-but, because similar aid having
been given to that road, those who reside on
the other route, feel that they have an equita-
BILE claim for similar accommodation. We
were glad, therefore, when the bill was passed,
which secured to these petitioners the boon
they asked This having been done, the ap-
plication for change in the conditions, pre-
sents an entirely new question, and we think
the change should be granted on one condi-
ton, and on one condition only, that the Sc
curity of the State shall remain unimpaired as
full and as ample as it was contemplated that
it should be- under the original law.
We have already published an article from
the Springfield Republican, going to show,
that the new proposition, made by the petit
TONERS, if acceded to, would leave the State
with little or no security for the scrip it may
advance; and SO palpable was this fact that,
we understand the petitioners have consented
to very essential notifications of their request,
under the certain assurance that it could not
be carried through the Legislature without
Whether the Bill now before the Legislature
guards the rights and interests of the State,
we do not know, not having seen it, but we find
III,
who are conversant with the subject that they
are not and that the conditions of the law I'M
der which one installment of 500, 900 has been
paid to the Corporation, have not been carried
out in good faith. We are credibly informed,
that the following incident took place at the
late hearing before the Railroad Committee,
although it is not contained in the published
report
speaker (Mr. H. who appeared in behalf
Of the taxpayers of the Commonwealth said
he felt it to be his duty to call the attention of
the Committee to clause in the present loan
act which requires the Troy and Greenfield
Railroad Company to have secured subscrip.
ton to their capital, stock of at least 5000 600
and to have actually received twenty per cent
on each and every share Of said 5000 900, before
applying for the first installment of the State
loan and to have received certain other assess
ments before applying for subsequent install
ments. He hoped that in contemplating a
change in the act, the committee would inquire
whether this fundamental condition had been
complied with or evaded, and what was intend
ed with regard to it in future He read from
an official communication Of the Attorney
General, under date August IL, 1868, as fol-
lows
I'm regard to the second condtion--nthe ac-
fudl payment Of twenty per cent. upon subscrip.
tons TO the capital stock of at least 5000 0OO"-
IL seems TO me that the Executive Department
should scrutnize the Treasurer's records very
carefully, and ascertain that the installment Of
twenty per cent has been actually paid. This
expression, from obvious considerations of pub.
JIG policy, must be construed strictly, and II