Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1868-01-11

he superintendent should be required to G
'ell at public sale, and pay over the proceeds {
10 the State Treasury. la
GENERAL RAILROAD LAW. IL
The subject of general railroad law has
long been agitated, and although it has,
found opponents, but few objections have
in its favor. 1t seems impossible
that any person can receive injury from its
adoption, whilst its benefits may be felt by
all classes of citizents. Even the chartered
companions have no reasonable grounds for |
opposition. The intention of the proposed |
law is not to deprive them of any vested |
rights or franchises but to secure to Others |
the same privileges and opportunities for
competition. 1t will open nav avenues to
distant markets; improve the value of pro.
perty; give new impulse to immigration
put additional lands under cultivation
stimulate trade, agriculture, manufactures
and mechanic arts to increased energy; /; fur
nsh greater inducements and facilities for
travel, and add to our general prosperity.
Other States have tried the experiment with
satisfactory results, and there is no reason
why Pennsylvania should be laggard in
the grand march of progress and improve
ment.
Next to the Importance of creating addi-
tional railroads on the free principle, is the
reduction of charges for passage and freight
to minimum rates. This is q matter that
concerns every individual. Transportation
will increase in quantity in proportion to
the reduction of its cost, and as the facili.
ties increase and the costs decrease, the more
vigorous will be the development of our in
dustrial resources. Railroads will derive
| hn,1 g. g., L., al
charges. The increase of travel and freight
will be vastly greater than the increase of
expense. The transportation of u loaded
car costs but little more than that of one
that is empty. In the matter of passengers
alone, it is reasonable to suppose, that the
lower the rates of fare, the greater will be
the number ofpersons to avail themselves of
! the privilege of railroad transportation. The
same is true in regard to freight for the en-.
gine that draws \ half-dozcn. cars can with
nearly equal facility propel larger number.
Moreover, the road that is worked to its
utmost capacity must necessarily, at very
reduced rates, acquire greater profits than
one that transacts but n small portion of
the business for which it is competent. The
adoption of a system of uniform rates for
passengers and freight, so graduated as to
be profitable to all Immediately interested
in the use and conduc. of such works,
would he productive of decided benefit in
lessening the prices of food clothing, fuel
and oil the necessaries of life, to every
citizen of the Commonwealth.
INSURANCE.
Our insurance laws require revision and altora.
ton. Whilst large portion of the insurance business
Of New York is done in this State, some of com.
panies have recently abolished their agencies in
New FORK, because ms they say, there will
insure in n Pennsylvania company, in consequence
of the laxy of our insurance laws Tho policies OF
many organizations. under present laws, al
legged TO be worthless; and although they con-
nually falling others Of similar character start
ing into existence. Within few months Eve fire
insurance companies have failed, one of which had
issued policies to million of dollars, and
other serious defections of frequent occurrence
In view of these facts and the costly experience OF
the people, would recommend the establishment OF
an Insurance Department, similar to those in New
York and Massachusetts, that shall have supervision
and control over all companies allowed to transact
business within this State. Such enactment is re
guired for the security of our citizens. Millions
dollars paid out by them annually for insurance
much of it under such circumstances as to render
it impossible for private individual to know whe
thcr tho company to which he pays is or is not re
liable. Careful supervision, by superintendent ap
pointed by law and published reports of the
under oath, would prevent much loss and fraud.
rARIs EXHIBITION.
That Pcnnsy sylyania might be officially representa-,
in the "Model American School House." at th
Universe Exposition of all Nations," caused t
, be forwarded to the American Commissioner at Pa
ris, in July last, box containing large number 0
books and documents relative TO the various depart
. ments of the Commonwealth, with Il request tina
they bc placed in prominent position, that v!.i
tors from distant lands might have an opportunit!
to obtain from their pages correct idea of the pro
q Grcss and importance of the State. In acknowedg Z
ing the receipt of this package tho Commissions
states that its contents were disposed of request
l ed And assured that the representation 0
, the extent, characteristics, progress an
privileges of country, made in the Farmer
= | Iiomc' and Free Common School House" n;
tracted crowds of curious and interested visitor:
u and would scatter wide and permanently, in dis
tinct form the doctrines of our Republic and "rC
Y suit in rich return TO tho United States for tn
i outlay, and higher appreciation, among the pee
| pie Of Europe, of the statutes and Institutions
; | this land of freedom and equality
I roLIcE FOR THE MINING DISTRICTS.
J In conformity TO act of Assembly "for the bel
/ ter protection of person, property and life in th
C mining regions of this Commonwealth approve
|. April ~ 1867, and on the earnest appeal OF man
. citizens, | appointed Immediately after that dat,
L n marshal of police and a number of subordinates
+ to give protection to the inhabitants of Schuyki
l. and Northumberland counties. In these countie
o for long time previous crimes Of n heinous chal
:, acter were OF frequent occurrence Combinations
desperate men we're formed to overawe the proprit
u tors and supernendens of the mines and to contrC
= their management Citizens were murdered
tneH dwellings, anu on tue Olnclsy lntlinldN
ted by threats were driven from the counties and
feeling Of insecurity and terror very generally pre-
vailed The administrators of the law seemed pow
erless to suppress these ourages, bring the guilt
!, TO punishment. Since the appointment of the ne
police force q remarkable change has taken placl
All lawless combinations have been dispersed, th
C persons composing them having chiefly 1ed not
r single murder or strocious crime is known to hay
boon committed; an immense amount of capits
that had been Withdrawn has returned and tn
people enjoy the assurance of safety and protection
I similar state of affairs to that which existed
the counties named is said to prevail in some par
. of the oil regions and applications have been mad
for the benefit of the above named act 1t is thers
fore recommended that its provisions be extended
those, or to any other counties upon the petition
q sufficient number of citizens, who shall furnis
, good reasons for desiring their benefits
PARDoNs
A report is herewith submitted of th
= pardons, remissions of fines, forfeited recoa
y nizancc and death warrants, issued by M
during the past year, with tabular state
ment of those issued from 1901 to the pr,
sent time. This report is made in accol
4 dance with sense of duty to the Legisls
Z ture and the public, who have a right to b
: informed.in what manner and to what eS
: tent the Executive clemency has been en-
5 ployed toward convicted criminals. 1t
d also due to the Executive himself that hi