The Alleghanian. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1859-1865, 1861-02-21
TONNAGE TIA *.
THE CONNER CLAL, MANUFA c.
TURING AND MINING INTER-
E,ST,S OF PENNSYL TANIA =
HOW CAN THEY BE PR ROMO-
TED
HOW CAN THE INTERESTS OF PFNNSYLvA-
MA BE PROMOTED

TED?
HOW CAN THE INTERESTS OF PFNNSYLVA-
MA BE PROMOTED? ?
The most serious and interesting topics,
concerning both the honor and interests
of the Commonwealth, are those which
relate to commercial communication, the
development of our vast natural resources,
and our traffic, domestic and foreign
j 1t is proposed in this paper to present
to the people Of Pennsylvania plan for
the removal Of the existing distractions to
the further development of their resour-
ces, and the opening of the incalculable
but still hidden treasure of the State.
We ask for it the dispassionate exami-
nation )f ali men whose sober sense can
truly test the questions presented and its
adoption or rejection according to its alb
solute merits, apart from prejudice, passion
or party.
1t is believed that an arrangement can
be made for developing our resources, and
thus increasing the values of vast portions
OF the Commonwealth, by which our en-
tire State debt viii be speedily extin-
guished, without resorting to increased
taxation of any kind, and all the internal
Improvements Of Pennsylvania be placed
upon an equality, without restrictions to
prevent them from moving the property
of our people at minimum rates
We find that in the present position Of
affairs, it is impossible to carry a pound OF
freight from the East to the West or the
West to the East, at the actual cost of
transportation but that the Common
wealth, having taxed the Pennsylvania
railroad company, not only on its proper
ty, but on ITS business, the company makes
that business pay this tax, so that, in fact,
Pennsylvania levies tribute on her own
citizens for the privilege of using their
own road.
Let US enquire then
HOW AND WHY THE TONNAGE TAX WAS
LAID.
The Atlantic slope of the United States
is separated from the valley Of the Miss
issippi by the Appalachian Mountains, a
natural boundary better defined than those
which divide some of the independent ma
tions of Europe. Two generations ago,
some wise men thought that a substantial
union between these several parts could
not long be continued, and in others, am
bltious projects were based on the suppo-
sed discordant interests Of the East and
West. In fact, they presented marked
contrasts In the most material particulars
climate, soil, productions, channels Of
communication, origin Of the inhabitants,
customs, manners, language, laws.
Mr.. JEFFERsoN's S far-reaching wisdom,
removed, By the purchase of Louisiana,
the chief source of political discordance
but the barriers erected by nature still
Speedy settlement of the West would
probably have been fatal to the unity Of
the Republic. Fortunately, the unftness
of the French and Spaniards for rapid col
onjzing of the country, combined with
minor causes, delayed the improvement of
the lands drained by the Mississippi and
its tributaries, until time had developed
surplus population in the East, which
sought the rich alluvial and limestone
soils of the West, and infused its own
restless and resistless energy into the
colopists whom they found
scattered on the margins Of the streams.
These emigrants carried also to their new
homes lecollections of those which they
had left, and all the wholesome prejudices
of their early training. The ties of birth
and breeding, nndivested by change of
residence, impelled them to desire, to con-
trive, and finally to accomplish, means of
communication easier, cheaper, and speed
ier than the pack horse, slowly and pain
fully toiling ten to twenty miles a day over
the rude paths which were called, accord
ING to their width, trails or roads
So, also, with land owners and explorers
They saw the boundless treasures of the
virgin soil, anticipated the time when this
profuse bounty Of Providence would be-
come available tor man, and predicted the
mighty empire-now millions on millions
and still but infancy-destined to supplant
the ferocious savage and the contented
Frenchman.
But all knew aud said that there must
be roads across the mountains. The high
ways of country are sure tests of its civ
ilization, and measure It's progress as a
thermometer indicates temperature. The
history Of the roads across the Alleghenies
is the history of the prosperity of the
people. In the great and benefcent work
of opening these means of intercourse,
States and citizens cordially concurred l.
No short sighted selfshness threw obstruc-
ton in the way. Borntics were offered