Democrat and sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1853-1866, 1861-04-03
gEr. MctIure,s Speeches.

We are indebted to q member of the Legls
lature, for copy of Mr.. McClure's speeches
in favor Of the repeal Of the tonnage
tax, delivered in the State Senate on the
26th and 9th of February. They have been
neatly printed by the Pennsylvania Railroad
Company for gratuitous circulation among the
Heather, who are foolish enough to think,
tha. the said Company has as good a right to
pay taxes for the support of the Government
as the hard fsted yeomanry of the State. Like
Ayers medical Almanac, any amount may De
had lust for asking Mr.. Mcclure is the
fugleman of all the souless corporations in the
State which have favors to ask of the Legls-
lature, and understands his work well. He
loves money aud consequently loves corpora
tious For bold downright ibsolence, and
utter disregard Of the courtesy expected from
member of the Legislature to the members
with whom he differs iG debate, we have new
er seen these speeches exceled. He evident
ly felt that be had BOT only the wealth Of the
Company but also its herd of borers in the
lobby. at his back, and could therefore safely
strut, bully and fume. His remarks in reply
to Mr.. Clymer of Berks, betray but little OF
the statesman and still less of the gentleman
Festus thought that much learning had made
ST Paul mad, aud we are equally certain that
much wealth suddenly acquired, has made Mr..
Mcclure naughty, purse proud insolent and
inpudent. His system of brow beating. i:
emiuently appropriate in the agent of Com
pany which relies more on its money. thar
equity and right in getting its measures
through ;hc Legislature. We have not tim'
at present to review Mr. McClure's speeche
at length, but will glance a. few of what h
is pleased to consider his strong points
Mr.. Mcclure starts out by asserting tina
this bill does not release the Rail-rosd Com
pany from taxation forever The State ma
reimpose this tax should any necessity aris
for it This may be so. but does Mr.. Nc
CIure or any other member of the Legislator
who voted for this bill, honestly believe tha
the tax will e-er be restored, while the Com
pany continues to control the Legislature a
it now does. Has it not for years secured tn
passage through the Legislature Of whateve
measures it desired, whether right or wrong
Let US glance for moment at the record
BY It's original charter tie tax on its tonnag
vas fixed at FIVE mills. 1t profcssed to be es
satisfied with this The charter was accer
ted and it at once proceeded the to constructio
of its road. After few years it arrived at th
conclusion that the tonnage tax was unju
and burdcnsome, and succeeded after consiC
erable opposition in procuring the passage
law reducing it to three mills. 1t agai
professed to be satisfed-it would ask no MOI
legislation But change soon came owe
the spirit of its dream. 1t desired to own tt
Main Line of the improvements belonging t
the State. Aftor q protracted struggle,
succeeded in procuring the passage by th
Legislature of law selling those improve
,nents to it at very low rate. It once MOI
professed TO be satisfied. and would ask 4
more legislation. 1t now turned Its attentio
TO resisting in the courts of the State, the pay
inent of the tonnage tax, which 10 acceptin
its charter from the Commonwealth, it ba
bound itself by the solemn Obligations of
contract 10 pay. Failing to receive any a:
aud comfort in that quarter, and finding. ths
by litigation it could not get rid of the pay
menc Of its honest debt, it determined to prc
cure from the Legislature, which had alway
treated 1t so kindly. bill repealiug this ia
and allow ing it to go ''scott free" of taxat
ion. 1t will thus be seen, that the compan
has never failed in procuring whatever Legis
lation it asked. 1t has always thus far con
trolled the Legislature whenever it desired t
Go so.
Ii will never pernit the restoration OF tn