Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1862-05-01
Hon. Fl. W. Tracy's Speech,
On the repeal of the Act Committing the Tonnage Dutes
in the House OF Representatives, of Pennsylvania.

Mr. Speaker, some two weeks ago. when
this subject was under consideration, ntimat-
ed to the House that if there should be gen
tleman upon this floor who proposed to discuss
the act under consideration upon its merits, |
should then desire to say a few words before
The vote should be taken Now, sir, observe
by the clock that we have left, not two hOurS
logger before this vote shall be taken. The
remarks which propose to make 10 the few
minutes which are assigned me, shall be mainly
in the way of answer to the gentleman, and the
one gentleman OF all others, who has dared to
stand up in this place aud maintain that the
act which we proposed to repeal, was wise aud
judiciOuS How strange it is that but one man
in this whole body, now, when we are ap-
preaching the cOnSummatiOn, gets up in his
place and takes this position. Every other
gentleman who opposes this repeating act has
taken position behind some constitutional
objection. My friend from the city, Mr.. Alb
bot is the only one who has ventured to de-
fend that act on the ground of its intrinsic
merit 1t was that gentleman, | remember
very we'll who bad the honor of reading the
bill ia place That bill was one which |
considered fraught with the gravest mischief :;
as has been truly said, | considered that bill,
and the one which seemed to b. coupled with
it last winter, as scrpents trailing themselves
through this ball. Yet this is an act which
the gentleman thought then, and thinks now,
wise AID judiCiOuS, and for that reason not to
be repealed. Now, sir, If could be convinced
that that act was wise and udcious, | should
not vote for its repeal ; but until can be con-
vinced that the act has merit in it, must not
wit hSt tauHIDU tho cpruplnc of lprnnn and
lawyers too, who say that we have not the cou.
stitutional power to repeal it must act from
the light which | have, and the evidences
brought before my mind in regard to the con.
stitutionallty as well as the wisdom of that
measure. Thus advised, | shall cheerfuIIy vote
for the repeal land | m glad to believe that
we have reached point when, so far as this
body is concerned, that act shall be repealed
The gentleman 10 starting out with his arEu-
ment, to prove that this act was wise and judi
cOuS, has told US that the Pennsylvania rail-
road company has always been frm and reli-
able friend of the State He also tells US that
the construction of that road has never been
detrimental to the receipts or the income from
the public works Now, sir, if could be con-
vinced, as the gentleman thinks he will be
able to convince the whole people of the State,
that this act was wise and judic:Ons-that the
Pennsylvania railroad company has always been
fast friend of the COmmonwealth-tha the
finances of the State and the income of the
public works have never suffered from the op-
erations of that company, then, sir, confess
that these considerations would have much
weight in my mind 20 dissuade me from voting
tor this repeal. But what evidence has the
gentleman given TO the House in support of
these extraordinary propositions
In proof of the position that a railroad run.
ming the whole dstarce from Philadelphia to
Pttsburg parallel with the pubc works car
rying the very tonnage that the public works
were constructed TO carry, would not operate
djsastrously to the revenue upon those works,
the gentleman has read to US an extract from
the message of Governor Skunk, and also an
extract from the report of the canal commits
sioners. Well, sir, if the testimony of Gov.
Skunk be good authority, aud if the report of
the canal commissioners be good authority, the
statements of those officers must be considered