Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1869-04-07

From Second Fork, the summit of
which have spoken is reached by
the valley of Benefits branch of the
Sinnemahoning Creek, and connecting
with Sandy Lick Creek, branch Of
the RedbanlS, which is a tributary of
the Allegheny. Descending the Sandy |
by very low gradients, the town of
Brookville is reached, and thence
stretching westward by the valley Of
one of the tributaries of Redbank, a
branch of the Clarion is attained,
which is descended, that stream is
crossed, and one of its western branch
es again ascondcd to the summit, be.
tween the Clarion and the Allegheny,
where the head of East Sandy Creek
is reached, and that stream descended
to the Allegheny, whence easy gradi-
ents and direct lines connect with
franklin, and Warren. Ohio. If we
will take a map and lay upon it line
from the centre Of the railway sys-
tens of Ohio and Indiana TO New
York, it will be found that by this
route, the detection from that line is
vastly less than any existing line.
Its distance is shorter by ninety
miles its curvatures are lighter, and
its gradients are one-half easier than
any other existing railway. 1t is the
direct and natural route from New
York TO the great West. If to this
we add the fact that, diverging from
this line at the mouth Of Sandy Lick,
in Jefferson county, and following the
Redbank to the Allegheny, and thence
connecting with the Allegheny Valley
Railroad, Pittsburg is reached and
connected by easy gradients with the
line, we find that undreamed of capa.
city for development exists in North
western Pennsylvania. These lines,
traversing the counties of Cameron,
Elk, Clearfeld, jefferson, Clarion,
Venaugo, Mercer, Armstrong and
Butler, will stimulate enterprise,
bring forth their dormant treasures,
aud add enormously TO the wealth of
the State. In Clarion county there
exists immense deposits OF iron ore
and other minerals awaiting means Of
transit and capital for their develop
ment. Up TO this time she has re-
ceivod no benefit from public improve
ments, and the enterprise of her citi.
zens has been repressed and disc)ur.
aged by their inability TO compete
with those more favored with facilities
for rapid transit and easy production.
They ask you that you shall but give
them the right TO add 10 your wealth
in nourishing and invigorating their
own. The counties of Elk, Clarion,
Clearfeld and Jefferson brisllc with
forests of pine and hemlock and oak
timber. Annual freshets upon the
streams Of the localities arc the only
means they possess for bringing 10
your doors the products Of their for
ests. They can reach you but once a
year, and then our hardy sons of toll
must grapple with all the difficulties
of navigation amid natural obstruc-
tions aud artificial impediments crea-
ted for the benefit of other communi-
ties. They too, ask that you will per-
NIT them 10 invest their capital and
invite other capital TO come in and
provide the means by which they may
be able daily TO place in your market
the lumber so essential TO everything
that makes your home inhabtable.
Upon the route | have described, and
bedded 10 the hills which border the
valleys OF Benefits Branch and Sandy
Lick, in the counties of Clearfield and
Jefferson, easily attainable and most
desirable in its qualities, exists the
finest body of bituminous coal within
the State. The veins are of immense
thickness, so large that a man stand
ing erect in his wagon may drivcinto
the coal openings, load il, and return.
This vast deposit stretches northward
through Elk and M'Kean counties
also, Urproduetive and undeveloped,
they wait the magic touch that you
can give them, to lie at your feet
shining with the colors of the rainbow,
or TO glow and melt in driving the
mighty engine, or in reducing the
stubborn ore. From the heart Of this
immense deposit Of coal at Sandy
Lick Summit, in Clearfield county, II
can be placed on the wharves at Buf
falo with n transportation Of less than
one hundred and sixty miles, by line
Of railroad traversing the counties Of
Elk and MKean, with easy grades
and light curves, part of which is
already in progress.
Tho struggling Philadelphia and
Erie is completed, the aid the Com.
monwealth gave her placed her in a
position to go forward, and the forests
Of the Northwestern part Of the State
are now moving on in career of de-
velopment. II we had never received
dollar Of the debt secured by the
mortgage Of 1861, the State is the
gamer Now comes 10 us repetition
of the proposition. The Allegheny
Valley Railroad, located upon the
ground / have described, is struggling
to complete its line. We can aid its
exertions, wo can ensure its com.
I pletion in doing 50, We benefit the
State by securing its debt, as we'll as
by increasing its wealth, its population
and its industrial interests and devel-
op its hidden resources. The coun.
ties of Cameron, Elk, Clcarfeld, Jefier
son and Clarion have never received
from the Commonwealth one dollar
for their internal improvement. The
debt that now presses upon the Com
monwealth, and for which all Of her
citizens are equally bound and toward
tho payment Of which my constituents
mus; and do contribute, was contrac-
ted for internal improvements that
benefited the eastern, central, north.
ern and western portions of the State,
but not one dollar thereof was ever
expended in the district ! have the
honor TO represent. II this bill were
an absolute gilt by the Commonwealth
10 these people for the purpose of in
| formal imnrOvements il would he hut