Union County star and Lewisburg chronicle. [volume] (Lewisburg, Pa.) 1859-1864, 1860-12-14
Freedom, national; Slavery, sectional
The Schemes for Plunder (!
10 rnE raI.PAYEIs AND TIE PRESS.


people rarely anticipate outrages upon
their rights, for they are slow to believe
in the existence of prcmed,ated wrongs.
They rely upon those, whom they en,rust
with power, to protect them against the
measures Of designing and corrupt men.
Thus resting in security, a. the present
time, they are, 20 doubt, auprcpared for
the schemes upon the Treasury of the
State, which the Pennsylvania Central,
and the Suubury & Erie Railroad, have
in view.
Under the circumstances, therefore, We
deem it our duty to direct attention TO
propositions which these mammoth corpo-
rations contemplate springing upon the
Legislature at co early day Of the Session
They are,
FIRsr-the Repeal of the Tonnage Tax
which the Pennsylvania Central Railroad
Company is engaged to pay. This tag, 8.
just 10 itself as any obligation imposed
upon any Of the people for the support Of
government, amounts annually, if We are
not mistaken, to upwards of 100000.
We say il is just tax and should be paid
without q murmur, because the Central
Company, in the grant of privileges obtain
ed from the State, became a competitor for
the trade, which would have o,herwise
been obliged to fnd its way to the markets
Of the East and West over the Main Line
of the State Improvements. Through the
rivalry thus established, in opposition to
its own works, land by means, as is alleg-
ed, OF gross corruption the State sunk
two-tbirds of tie cost Of the Main Line
in the sale which was made to the Penn
sylvauia Central. Il is also a just tax,
that should not be resisted, because it is
levied in accordance with the provisions
Of the Charter. But for the acquiescroce
10 this tonnage tax, and belief tia, no at
temp. would be made to deprive the State
of it, the Pennsylvania Central Railroad
Company would probably have no existence
to.d,y. And the Company is abundantly
able to p,y this or even greater tax.
With a knowledge of these facts, any
Interference with this sort Of revenue can
only be regarded as a most Infamous and
barefaced outrage upon the rights Of the
people. With as much, if not more pro-
pricty, the Banks of the State eau expect
to BE- relieved from the payment of divi
dend tax and all other corporations aad
capitalists, who are more largely benefited
BY the protecting care of government than
the masses Of people are, may also look for
exemption from taxation-aud thus iu-
crease the burthens of those who are least
able to bear them.
The people need only be aroused on
this question, to put it at rest for ever;
and We appeal TO the Press of the State to
"cry aloud aud spare not" at this time.
SEcoyD-the release (by granting a
prior mortgage or some other scheme Of
the g. 800, 900 mortgage held By the State
sssios, the Sudbury Il Erie Railroad Com
pany. Tnis is q no less unjas and OBJ.
noxlous measure than the one Just advert
eito Whs.the State las TO show for the
enormous outlay Of money 10 the construc-
ton Of the canals, is this mortgage of
s., 500 600! The Sudbury aud Erie
Company, through whose agency, aud for
whose benefit, the sale of the State Canals
was brought about, should-considering
the mode aud manner Of the salc-bc the
last applcan. for Legislative favors aud
We sincerely trust there will be found
enough honesty in our Legislature to give
. quietus to the pluudering schemes of the
controllers of this corporation the coming
session. Who have made themselves rich
already cut of the funds of this work, and
any further aid would doubtless be squan.
dered as before. If they can not 60 on,
let them make way for others.
The taxpayers can justly realize what
has already been done for the Pennsylvania
Central Railroad Company aud the Sun
bury 4 Erie Company, when We tell them
that these two corporations got the control
Of State property, which cost upwards of
THIRTY-FlVE MILLIONS OF DOL
LARS, for ELEVEN MILLIONS, and
yet they will not only be begging, but will
probably use more seductive arts for the
additional concessions alluded to.
lie, the People aud the Press, BY uni.
ted expression Of sentiment, by petitions,
letters. remous.rance., aud public meetings
put down these TWIN INIQUITlE5.
We append q shor. form of petition, which
We recommend for general circulation. Let
oil the uames possible be obtained, and
zen, 10 Harrisburg AS SOON AS THE LEG.
IsLArURE CONvENEs, as it is said the
Sudbury & Erie scheme is to be tried, un-
der whip and spur, before Gov Packer
leaves the Executive chair. There are
prominent men, Of all parties and sections,
in both these schemes-thcrefore We warn
the TAX PAYERS that THEY THEMSELVES
must work in this matter, or Five to Ten
Millions more of Taxes will be thrown
upop them bv these two COMPANIES. this