Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1871-04-19
To Prevent Log Floating.

The following bill No l325) is on the file
of the House of Representatives at Harris
burg, and was read before that body on
March 9th, 1871:
An Act
To prevent the obstruction of the channel
of the West Branch of the Susquehanna
river Chest creek, or any of the naviga-
bic tributaries OF said streams within the
counties Of Cambria, Clearheld and Indl
ana, above the mouth of Anderson creek
in Clearteld county:
SIC. Be II enacted, ETC.. That from and
after the passage of this act any person or
persons who shall cut, fell, throw, place, or
cause to be cut, felled, thrown or placed, IN
the channel or below high water mark, on
the margin OF the West Branch of the Sus
quehanna river, Chest creek, or any Ut the
navigable tributaries of said streams, which
has been declared by law to be public
highway IN the counties of Cambria, Clear
field and Indiana, and above the mouth of
Anderson 5 creek in Clearfeld county, any
tree, sapling, log, or piece of lumber, or
floating material of timber kind, with the
intent 10 float the same or to obstruct the
navigation of the said streams, or any OF
the navigable tributaries thereof, shall be
guilty OF misdemeanor, and upon convlc-
ti9n thereof shall pay fine Of not less than
one hundred nor more than one thousand
dollars at the discretion OF the court Pro-
Utded. That nothing in this act shall be con-
strued to prevent persons from putting IN
squared, sawed, or any other kind Of manu-
tactured lumber, for the purpose of run
ming the same 10 market, or Tor other law
full purposes
SEC. =. All acts or parts of acts inconsis-
tent herewith be aa1 the same are hereby
repealed.
Is there not snake" in this bill, so
covered up as to conceal its true character
A careful perusal must satisfy all, that tie
paramount and only object of the bill is to
prevent the floating of logs in the Susque-
hanna and its tributaries above the mouth
of Anderson's creek. Now, as there are
large bodies Of timber on the upper tribu-
taries of the Susquehanna that can not be
got to market except in round logs foated
out during the spring freshets, would it be
policy to pass such a Law? Would its pass
age not be rather arbitrary act of legisla-
ton? Would it not prevent the develop
ment of that section of our county in which
it would be operative? Would it not pre-
vent many men from getting their timber
into market and thus depreciate the value
OF all lands and property above the objec
tive point? Would it not just as effec;ualy
prevent men in Gle elrfeld county from float
ing logs to their mills within the county, as
those who own mills outside of the county
Could not the log interest with equal pro-
priety ask the passage of bill to prohibit
the floating of square timber and boards on
the susquehanna?
Whatever may have been the object oi
the originators of the bill, it is to be feared
that it is fraught with evil consequences, as
it equally affects residents and non residents
Would it be just to prevent the owner of q
saw mill in Ciearfield county, who owns
timber land above the mouth of Anderson
creek, from going on to that land and cut
ting logs and floating them to his saw. mill
10 the people of Clearfield county desire
| the passage of a law that will prevent then
from using their property to their own pc
cuniary advantage? If not, then the,
should be up and doing to prevent the pass
age of this bill "A word to the wise i:
sufficient"