The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1861-01-16

| being OF opinion that the wrts OF error were
not issued from the Supreme court of tht
! United States in time to prevent the colec
ton of the judgments rendered in the State
courts, executions were issued t o the Sheriff
of the County of Dauphin, and proceeding
are now pending in The Supreme Court OF thi
Stale. TO determine whether the Common
wealth can compel the payment of the judg
| nens already recovered, before the 6na
decision by The Supreme Court OF the Uni
ted States.
The Sunbury and Erie railroad company
having failed 10 negotiate its mortgage
bonds in their present condition, the expec-
tarons confidently, entertained of an early
completion OF tha: most i'm portant improve
meni, have not been realized. The work
during the past year, however, although
greatly retarded, has.b contin ualiy pro-
gressing; upwards of one million of dollars
having been expended on the line from
November, 1859, to November, 1860. The
whole length of the road from the borough
OF Sunbury 10 the harbor on the lake at the
city of Erie, is 2s8 miles: of which I4s
miles are now finished and in operation
and il5 miles Of the remaining portion OF
the line are graded leaving but twenty.
five miles yet 10 grade. Pennsylvania is
largely interested in the early completion
and success ol this great thoroughfare, not
only because she is the creditor OF the com
pany TO the amount of three and hall
millions OF dollars, but for the additional
and more cogent reason, that The improve
ment, when completed, will. open one oi
the most important channels of trade be-
tween the city of Phi adelphia and the great
lakes OF the west, at the best harbor on Lake
Erie, entirely within the limits OF our own
State, which has ever been contempt plated.
1t will, moreover, develop the resources OF
d large portion of Mort h-Weslera Pennsyl-
vania, a5ounding with the richest minerals,
and lumber region OF unsurpassed excel
lence, Which the munificent hand of the
State has hitherto totally neglected. By
isposng of her branch canals TO that com
pany, in exchange for lis mortgage bonds,
the State has already largely aided in the
construction Of this great work and il may
be necessary, TO insure lis completion, that
further Legislation should be had in order 10
render the means of the company available.
IT Is evident that liberal policy, on the part
of the government, will promote alike the
interests OF the Common eaih and the rsii
road company nevertheless, great care
should be taken to protect, lar as poss-
bic, the debt now due from The company TO
the Stale II all propositions winch may be
made for a change in the securities now
held by The Commonwealth, be carefully
considered by the Legislature, and no more
yielded than sound economy demands. with
proper provision for the due application of
whatever means may be realized. it is be
lieved, that sufficient relief can be granted
TO the company 10 enable IL promptly 10
finish the road while the security remain
ing will be fully adequate to ensure the
ultimate paym OF The principal and inter
est of the bonds of The railroad company
now held by the Commonwealth.
commend this subject TO the Legislature,
as one entitled TO it, most careful considera-
ton, as well on account of its vast impor.
lance 10 that portion of the State through
which the railroad passes-to The cities of
Philadelphia and Erie-and 10 the railroad
company-as 10 The Commonwealth herself
Promising that whatever policy il may be
thoueh: expedient 10 pursue, should be
adopted solely with reference 10 the pro-
lection and fuuherance OF the public inter
ests.
The attention Of the Legislature is again
invited TO the subject of general ed ucation.
At the present juncture it presents peculiar
claims. The experience OF quarter of a
century has satisfied the proverbialy eau
tioas people OF Pennsylvania, of the adapt
edness of the common school system 10
their wants and condition No less has the
severe ordeal of the past three years shown
lis capabiity 10 endure those sudden re-
verses which occasionally prostarte the
other interests of the community. Involv-
ing greater expenditure than the rest of the
de partmenis OF government, and that, too,
mainly drawn from direct taxation, it is a
proud fact, that, while most of the enterpri
ses of society have been seriously embar
and some o. them suspended, by
the pecuniary cri.is OF 1857, our education
al system has not been retarded in any ap
preciable degree. On the contrary, its op-
erations have been maintained, TO an extent
which plainly indicates that our citizens
fully appreciate It's value. Contrasting lis
main results during the past year: with
those of 1857, we find that the whole num-
Der of pupils now in The schools, is 647,-
Ala, being an increase of 4i,422; these
were taught in II SIT schools 62I more
than in 1881, during al average term of
five months and FIVE one-half days, at q