Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1866-04-25
Reply of Gen. Geary to the Business Men Of
Pittsburg.
Nrr Er,1prpiANn pa Anril & IS66


GENTLEMEN Your communication bear
ing date March 2oth, only rea, he'd me on
the 3Uth ult., and in compliance with your
request [ proceed to answer 1t with as little
delay as possible.
You PROFOUND to me three questions, to
which you request an answer, VIZ
IL Will you if elected chief mag istrate of
Pennsylvania, faithfully exert the power of your
administI alton. as to defeat any and every at
tempt made by legislation. or otherwise, for the
monopoly AMI control by amy one corporation Of
the railroad policy Of the State
- viii you oppose and withhold your sane
ton from any legislation conferring upon the
Pennsylvania railroad company or any compa-
ny il may control the authority TO build branches.
unless the said grant should be under provisions
of general law regulating ihe constitution OF rail
roadsn'
80 Will you favor and use the ina uence Of
your administration to secure the enactment of 4
general law auth horIing the constitution and regu
lstion of railroads within this Commonwealth %
My vie Us and opinions upon these meas.
ures l am tree to give you, and quite will
ling to indicate what my official action would
be, so far as it is at all proper to do SO.
Pennsylvania possesses lunense treas
ures o. mineral wealth, and most extensive
manufactures. To develop these, to foster
everything which tends To their develop
ment. and to cherish and to promote equal
zens, / firmly believe to b. the highest dut,
of her statesmen. regard every kind OF
| public improvement as conducive to this
| end and am therefore, in favor of the
most complete and elaborate system of in
ternal works, together with proper system
of protection to home industry. as IN ans
| OF converting our vast mineral resources,
| agricultural products and manufactured ar
| ticles into values. Whatever shall SO i'm
| prove our commercial Intercourse, enable
our manufactures to send the proceeds OF
| their industry to market, and so place cur
State at the head of manufacturing and pro
| ducing States Of the Union, shall have my
cordial assist; nee and cheerful appreciation.
| | regard our railroad system as the best
| mode of commercial and social interconimu
nlcation. In addition to the great mai.
| linex the State is enve opcd In net WORK
of minor railroads, which pour AN incrras
| ing stream OF coal, iron. ore. lumber live
stock agriculture! products, and the hanli
works OF skilled labor, to the distriDutinc
points within, and beyond, our borders.
| W hile these corporations continue to act
their part as pubic servants, they should
oe carefully protected. They should not be
permitted TO overstep their legitimat,
functions. As creatures of the law, they
| should obey, and be, in every respect, sub
servient to the law.
| | answer to TIE first interrogatory, thai
while believe it to be improper to bring
the influence of the Executive Department
10 bear upon the Legislature. in anticipa
tion Of its action, except in the way of re
commendation, am heartily opposed t,
the creation of any monopoly in the rail
road system of the State, or giving any ar
tiiciai body created by the law, pbwer,
| ,x-I Inh,r -. -
reach of the Legislature.
To the second interrogatory, ] say, tha;
while general railroad system would bes,
comport with sound public policy. it mus,
originate with the Legislature, and untii;
shall be established by law, grants Of power
may be properly made to railroads to con
| struct branches when they are desired by
the people who are Immediately interested
in the matter, and would promote the lie
velopment Of. their property, and afford
them avenues to market. Such grants be-
| ing 50 rest rlcted as not to violate individual
rights or public interests.
| In reply to your third question, which to
my mind includes both the others, | say.
again, that believe general law regula.
ting the construction of railroads and grants
si3tent with public policy and the interests
| VI thS WI" q
these views, | would ce.tainly use the legiti-
mate and constitutional power of the Exc
cutive to secure so desirable a result
The spirit of monopoly in this and other
matters, should be discouraged in Repub-
| liz an Government. and | have no sympathy
| with any policy which may be designated
| for its encouragement
| am. gentlemen, with high respect. your
| obedient servant, JOHN W. GEARY.
TO Messrs Lyon. Shorb & Co., Spang,
| Chalfant & Co.. and Others.