Juniata sentinel. [volume] (Mifflintown, Pa.) 1846-1873, 1867-04-03
ganizcd in Pennsylvania. If there is
any good reason, 1 would be glad to hear

possible there should be some individual
liability clause, for the protection of Ia
borers and mechanics, | apprehend the
stringent wondering Of the section might
restrain the construction Of railroads. /
am aware that under the general railroad
law Of New York stockholders are liable
to the amount Of their stock not paid in,
and also for the wages Of labor, for pc
riod not exceedingly thirty days. This
provision of the New York law was Of
iercd as an amendment to the section as
it now stands in the bill, by the Senator
from Indiana Mr.. WnITE.l And al
though | voted for it, it was voted down
by a decided majority, the Senator from
Bradford [MR. LAyDoHl being one Of
that majority. There is no individual
liability clause in the charter Of any
railroad now in existence in Pennsylvania
that know Of. And l respectfully sub
NJ, to the Senate, it is neither liberal nor
wise, in this beginning Of new system,
to test that system by sections SO strin-
gent in their character. There is moth
ing of the Kind in the act incorporating
The Pennsylvania railroad company. And
| have heard 10 reason in favor of it
now, saJ va that the bill must pass as 1t
came from the RAILROAD Committee, with
out the erasure of a word OF the obliteya-
tion Of line. And this is TIE fat q.
we'll in the sections that are to be voted
on as in those on which the Senate has
acted. | cannot think, Mr.. Speaker,
with all Difference TO the views Of my
brother Senators, that this is liberal, or
that it will fully meet the wishes of the
people whom We represent.
Third. l believe the time allowed for
surveys and fling maps is too short. The
survey is to be commenced within thirty
days, and to be completed within six
months. This is too short. The history
of the railroad litigation Of the State
shows this. And yet the majority de.
cline to change it.
Fourth The power which the Legis-
lature reserves (in section thirtccn,) by
special or general ac,, "to amend, change,
modify or repeal the charter OF any cor
poration organized under this act as the
same was provided for in the thirteenth
section of the act regulating the construc-
ton of lateral railroads, approved the 9Th
day of Nay, 1922" is in my Judgment.
both unwise and unconstitutional. I'm
wise, because | fear, it will discourage
investments. Unconstitutional, because
the present Constitution of Pennsylvania
as amended and adopted in 1888, six year:
after the passage of the lateral railroad
law referred to, expressly declares that
the Legislature shall only have the pow
CT to alter, revoke CT annal any charter
Of incorporation hereafter conferred, BY
or under any special or general law, in
such manner that no injustice shall be
done to the corporation. VIII the cap
italists of Pennsylvania and Of the coun-
try subscribe their money to build rail
roads under this bill, this provision
hanging over their heads? Would the
Senator from Philadelphia [MR. RIDG-
WAY, ] who is man Of means aud a
successful manager Of one IF the best
passenger railroads in the State, invest
his money in building railroad under a
law giving any such power to subsequent
Legislatures?
Mr.. RIDGWAY. Certainly have
the utmost confidence in this Legislature
and would be willing to invest my money,
with tha. clause hanging over it.
Mr.. HALL. Well, it is really strange
that the Senator, who has been here sew
eral years, never had anything Of the kind
inserted in any railroad bill before.
Mr.. RIDGWAY. l was never re
questcd to do SO.
Mr.. HALL. Surely not, and why ?-l
Because i. takes money TO build railroads,
and men generally are net such fools as
to invest when the Legislature may repeal
the law, and they thereby lose the whole
or part Of their investment.
also object to other clauses in the
bill rs it came from the Railroad Com
mittee, which it is not necessary for Inc
now 20 refer to. The people understand
this question. They can neither be de-
ceiyed nor trifed With. If [ have chang
ed my views, it is because desire to vote
in accordance with the will Of my constit-
rents, and in accordance with what be-