Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1860-01-12

railroad Companies, was 50 2lj,b)0, 0,nakiug
al aggregate COS, ol SiS S0s, ,92a
For a nupb-f of ycrfs tau net reg 'nues
derived IRON these works though ever snf
xcieat te pay the cost of the uyrstHrni.
we're very considetntls. Tao competition
OF railroads, however, soon dep lied them of
rteas psrt % ,hr brs,tes. vu which te,i
snce had been plarrd .vr inrrrase. and at
teagth mlrkrJ Il cine took place. With.
IN the last few years he outl,y for repair,
add improvements has cxc' cdel The Income
The real d. iieirp,y as year, after dednct.
iog the extraordinary disbursements direct d
~ the LegiSlature, was not large; but .here
ia little room for hope that il will be less
hereafter, while there is much ground for
apprehension that 1t will be gre eI,er. It will
certainly be greater unless the Introduction
Of steam navigation. or o'her circumstance .
TOW unforeseen, shall enable the canals t.
sustain, at less disadvantage, the railroad
competition. The cost OF these works
however. has doubtless bsen repaid to the
State in the increased vaius Of lands in the
counties through which they extend. And
this consideration may well abate the cen
sures which the deb, contracted for their
construction is apt to provoke; While it sug.
gests caution and prudence in dealing with
interests so important as are involved in
their disposal.
u have heretofore expressed the opin ion
that they should not b, retained undcr State
management, IL sale can be effected at u
reasonable price. and under such estrictions
and guarantees rs we'll secure to the people
the benefits Of transportation originally
contemplated Tnat opinion remains un.
changed. With economical management
In private haDds, the canals can probably be
made suficiently productive to warrant the
investment Of q considerable sum in their
purchase. The reduction Of the debt by the
same amount, and relief from taxation FOR
interest, recommend the sale TO the people
at large; while tho suggested restrictions
and guarantees will prevent any loss or in
convenience to the Inhabitants Of tho can II
countries.
The State stocks in turnpkes ana ruil
rosds should not be included in any sales
sn;sss the interest on the price will eoua
ths resenae now derived from them. I re
sommshd that suthoriiy be given to thu
Goversof to appoint IN agent with ample
powers to ascertsin the condition Of all com
psnies In which the State ho'ds stock. Ths
produetiveness Of these investments would
have no doubt, be greatly enhanced by suef
On investigation.
Should yoi regard sale OF the Canals III
insxpedioht. and. in any case, 80 long as
they remsin under State management, the
proprieiy OF strict compliance, in their ad
ministrstion, with the directions Of the Con.
stitutisn will not be questioned. The sepa
ration Of them into several divisions, ant
chs assignment Of each division to the con.
mol OF single member of the Board Of Pub
lie Works, independent, in most impurtan
respects. Of the d B'arG itself, seems to m,
Aot only inexpedient but Of more than doubt
ful leonstitutionality. I rec ,mmend, there
fore, such mod fcstons of the act of the las
General Assembly on ihs subject as vii
secure to the whole Board the control of thu
Public Works which the Constitution com
mits TO its ssuperintenJeuce. | also recon-
mend the restoration 0! that provision of ,h,
act Of 1854 BY which the Governor. with III,
advice and consent Of tho Senate, is author
tsed TO 'sppoint collectors and inspectors
aue renew the recommendation adlresse,
to your predece"ors, of more stringent pro
visions regulating the ec,,lement Of account
for rspsirs end other expenses on the canals
Under the law, 80 II now stands, there |.
too much room for abuse. to the serious pre-
.judics Of the publie interests.
During the year 1858, as was fully ex.
planned TO your predecessors, tho bum o
oIe,s3s was advanced by tho Treasurer o
State, upon my advcc, concurring with thai
OF the other Executive Officers, for repair,
OF the Hooking Canal, groutly injured ant
seriously endangered by recent floods. The
emergency did not permit delay; and a, the
Legislature had msde no provision for cx
traordlnsry contingencies, an uccaslor
seemed to have srisen in which public Of
fcers ought 10 take tho responsibility Of
providing the means necessary to protec,
the State from greet loss. and tho citizens
dspsndent on The canal for transportation
from great injury. The respons bili,y was
taken; the means were provided by an ad.
vance from the Treasury, unques,ionably
the most seonoaicsl model a larger amount
than the sum advanced was saved to the
Treasury In tolls, and the benefits of the
navigation were secured to the people of the
locsiity. am s,il Of opinion that this
money was prudently and properly advanced.
A public officer who, In times of ovorruling
emergencies, will not take responsibilities
clearly necessary to the public good, as lt-
lie deserves copaden'c, as he who rashly
assumes them on ordinary occasions and
without necessity. II will be far you to
dsisrnins whether the action of the Trs,s.
ursr shall receive tho legislative sanction
! vhioh the lsst General Assembly omitted
70 give
u gives ne great pleasure to say, that In
the department Of Public instruction con-
stsnt progress aud regular improvement have
been conspicuous.
Its burdens, however, now press some
what heavily upon the resources of the
people.
Prior to tie adoption Of the pre- sent Con
stituIien, the fund annually taised by gener.
al taxation. and distributed 10 the counties
Waa cumpAratiy civ ANAL Fac apvaral ,o...