The Alleghanian. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1859-1865, 1861-02-28

by the State, the then Executive OF the
| Commonwealth pledged his word. and 50
far as he was able, that of the State, to the
purchaser, for the repeal o. this tax, and.
in consequences of this pledge, he earnest
" recommended It's repeal IN ms annual
message OF JaBuary, 1888. WItllou1
such a pledge, the Company would not
have bid for the Works. They did pur-
chase, relying on the equity and integrity
Of the Commonwealth for the repeal OF
the tax, in accordance with this pledge,
giving for the property several niiiions
more than it was worth to the Common
wealth or to any other party, which should
be deemed full consideration for the
repeal Of the tonnage tax, without the
other conditions to which the Company
are now willing to conform.
.SLrGh. The Company Is willing to pay
to the Commonwealth taxes on their prop
erty and franchises to the same extent,
and in such manner as will place their
works upon an equality with similar I'M
provements: they desire to DO placed upon
this equality in order 20 be able to Trans
port as chcaply as others, and to make
their property more beneficial to the pub
lie than it can be whilst burthened with
Il tax 50 heavy as to prevent, to a great cX-
tent the proper development OF the resour-
cos of the State.
,SeCeatA. The reduction Of rates for
transportation, as required by the provis-
ions Of the bill, will aid in the develop
ment of the resources Of the State, and,
of course, increase the values OF Real Is
tate and other property-thus directly
bencftting the citizens, and increasing
the taxable revenues OF the Common
wealth.
Eighth The distribution OF loans, as
proposed, will probably enable all the
roads referred to, TO be completed within
reasonable time, and thus add much to
the value OF property in the new regions
of country that viii be benefited by
them.
Ninth The prosecution Of the work
will give immediate employment to several
thousand work men, and require large
quantities Of iron and other material nee
essary for construction and II is believed
that no other plan can be adopted which
Will yield to the State so large q return
for the concessions desired.
Tenth. The proposed plan provides for
the payment OF the entire debt due to the
! Commonwealth for the Main Line, with
all interest accumulatinS thereon, by the
31st day of July 1890. H'hereas, under
existing laws and contracts, the amount
due the Commonwealth on July 5lst 1890
will be FD14i Milton IAree Hundred 1Hoss-
and DoHps The payment of principal
as proposed, together with the difference
in interest, combipe advantages to the State
too important and manifest TO require ar
gument.
E2eoenh.-With oil the proposed ad-
vantages to increase the revenues of the
Commonwealth, it is believed that the
present low rate Of two and half mills as
sessed for State purposes might be safely
reduced to two mills, aud the entire State
debt paid off by the year 1890
The whole case is now submitted to
the wisdom OF the representatives Of the
people of Pennsylvania, in the confident
belief that candid consideration will in
sure legislative sanction of the views
which have been suggested, and that thus
4 powerful impetus will be given to the
accomplishment Of the great destiny OF
our beloved Commonwealth.