Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1867-03-01

(which paralyzed all busiuess), the unprece-
dented advance in the eogt Of all labor and
material, the treason Of its former friends
and bene6ciaries and the eliminating ont
rage of the repeal of It's charter-one Of the
oldest railroad charters in the State of Penn
sylyania
Yet, despite all these adverse circumstap-
ces at this date it had its road-sixty miles
from Pittsburg to Connellsville COMPLETED.
\ had procured a lease of the Fayette County
| branch-tYelye miles to UniontoWn-maE
/ ing seventy two miles 0fc0mpleted and thor
! ougily equipped road, which it was opera-
! ting, with the necessary appliances, to ac-
fou(eY hat paId on It's n3tgcglg aeIE, sslfL silsa
| half completed the great tunnel through the
summit Of the Alleghenies of more than a
mile ia length. As an evidence Of the sue
cess and successful management Of the road
under all these adverse circumstances, [ may
here state that, in the year 1868, its gross
earnings were two hundred and fifteen thou
sand dollars, with a clear profit of ninety
! five thousand dollars, to be applied to the
| further prosecution of the work and that
the Baltimore and Ohio road then agreed to
advance one hundred thousand dollars per
month, to the extent Of one million dollars
to secure the completion OF the road, the
city Of Baltimore at the same time agreeing
to retire her mortgage of one million of dol
lars and permit other parties, who would
advance funds, to hold the first lien
Such was the condition Of this road, sir
when its charter was repealed and the re-
pealing act permitted to become a law with
out the signature Of the Governor; thus, as
this brief history has shown, invading and
uSurping private rights and inficting great
public wrong. SO gross an act ofpertidy,
evincing an utter disregard for the vested
rights OF individuals and the best interests
of the State is unparalleled in the history of
legislation, and almost equals in atrocity the
parting Of the Savior raiment at the foot
Of the cross.
Thus, sir, were the facilities for the full
development of their vast resources snatch
ed from the hands Of our people almost at
the moment Of their full fruition, and the
State deprived of this rapidly accumulating
source of revenue, at the instance and re-
quest or IL may have been at the dictation
and demand of an already oyergroWn and
unscrupulous corporation Yet, despite
this atroclous legislation, and still battling
with power that has almost crushed it out
OF existence, this road has continued to &C,
eumulate business. Its gross earnings for
the year. up to December 4, 1865, amounted
to three hundred and ninety four thousand
three hundred and sixty three dollars and
thirty six cents, while its gross expenses
were two hundred and sixty four thousand
two dollars and thirty six cents, leaving
net profit Of one hundred and thirty thousand
three hunred and sixty one dollars being an
increase over the previous year of forty two
thousand one hundred and forty seven dol
lars and sixty nine cents in treights, and an
increase of thirty sly thopSand forty two dol
lars and sixty three cents, In the fares of
three hundred and sixty SIX thousand eight
hundred and thirty three passengers carried,
with an addition Of three thousand six hun
dred and fifty dollars for the transportation
OF maiis-and this on only seventy two miles
OF road
\ few more words, sir and l close This
is not mere struggle between two railroad
corporations; 1t is a question of transceudant
importance to the people of this entire Com
monwealth. 1t involves the honor of the
State, because it virtually determines wheth-
er or not, she will hold sacred the contracts
she enters into, and it also involves the other
/ question, of grave moment to our people,
! whether the rights Of the citizen are equal
aud co ordinate throughout the State IF
VIC of the southwestern counties are to be
! held, as we have been for the last twenty
/ years; as mere 'hewers of wood and draw
ers of water, then fix our status as you
will, by rejecting this bill. IF we are to be
/ granted equal rights with our felloWcitizens,
among which is the poor boon Of per
mission to build our own roads and develop
! our own resources, then prove it by giving
| this bill the sanction Of your votes Legis-
lating for the entire Commonwealth, it Is
your duty to see that equal and exact justice
is meted ost to all her people, that her reye-
/ nues are increased by the development of all
! Eer resources, and thather improvements
! keep stride with the age The boundless
traffic and endless travel onlyjust beginning
I to move between the Atlantic and Pacific,
viii be driven from within the borders ofthe
State through other channels, if you will
forever hearken to the selfish counsels Of a
monopoly, striving only for its own gain,
| and in utter disregard ofthe will of the peo-
pie. 1t has already become the settled con-
yictlon, IN every hamlet of the Common
wealth, that the Pennsylvania railroad
company dictates the railroad policy OF
the State. Think you this state Of affairs
will be forever endured? Let this Legislature
be warned in time. | assert it here, as my
honest and tirm conviction, that if a bill so
eminently just and equitable as this one be
lost, then there is no hope this session fol
the passage Of "a fair and useful genera a.
railroad bill
The justice of this bin is beyond all cavil
the people know it and they demand the re-
peal Of the iniquitous legislation that de-
frauded them OF their rights, and stabbed
to the heart their growing energy, industry
and enterprise
Examine the bill, its object, its merits and
its effects, and 60 home to your constituent,
to tell them you hove voted it down, and as
sure as God is just and reigns in Heayer
they viii vote you down at the next election
with an indignant and well deserved con
demnationl
Mr.. BURNETT | would like to ask th,
Senator a question. see by the act which
became law August 10, that the GoYerno
is authorized to appoint appraisers for tn,
purpose of assessing any damages that nigh
have occurred to the Pittsburg and Connells
vile railroad company. | would like t
know if any action was taken by the Cover
nor?
Mr.. STUTZMAN. Not that have
heard Of
Mr. BURNETT. l desire to ask on,
other question, whether this company have
ever expended any money IN purchasing
right of way, or for any other object connec
ted with their line?
Mr. STUTZMAN None that | know
OF, other than for the purpose of engineer
ing. They have been at that several years
but never have struck pick or spade t,
complete the road.
THE DESTITUTE NORTH CARoLINANs.-
IN ~