The citizen. (Honesdale, Pa.) 1908-1914, 1908-10-07

by the Pennsylvania Assembly to take
over Mr.. Wurtss franchises and proper
ty, at the same time assuming his obli-
cations as defined in his charter.
This company, as is well-known, in
stead of making the western terminus of
its navigation at or near Rixe's Gap,
say in the vicinity of Keen's. pond, as
was at first contemplated, located it at
the forks of the Dyberry, now Homes
dale, thus laying the foundation for the
thriving town which has long outlived
the canal enterprise which gave it birth.
The thirty years named in the act pro-
viding for the improvement of the Lack
AWAKEN expired on the 18th of March,
1858, but in anticipation of that date,
agitation for and against the taking over
of the Pennsylvania Division of the Del.
and Ilud. Canal commenced two years
previously. by the fall of 1881 the ques-
ton had assumed such proportions that
prospective candidates in Wayne, both
for judicial and legislative offices, found
themselves required to clearly define
their positions in regard to it. The
papers were filled with antagon;stic ar
ticles-some lauding the Del. and Hud.
Co. las the great benefactor of this region;
others denouncing it'as a soulless cor
poration which had grown immensely
rich through its refusal to live up to its
obligations through its willfu and per-
sistent discrimination against small coal
producers and through its failure to
contribute in taxes its share of the coun-
ty expenses.
The Democrats nominated N. B. FL
dred, of Bethany, for President Judge
Thomas II. II. Tracy and James Num-
ford for Associate Judges Ephraim w.
Hamlin for Senator and Thomas j. Hub
bell for Representative. The Whigs
claimed that the convention which nam
ed these candidates was notOriOusly
packed by the ID. and II. Co. that the
delegates were bought to vote in the in
terests of that corporation, and that the
nominees with the exception of Judge
! Eldred, whom they endorsed, were
selected with a view to relieving it from
its obligations to the State. They were
| especially bitter over the proposition to
put Mr.. Tracy, prominent company
! official, on the bench, and attacked him
with great vigor throughout the canvass.
The Wing ticket was, Associate Judges,
John Torrey and Noah Rogers, Sena-
tor, Richard l.. Seely; Representative
F. b. Penniman.
The election resulted in a majority of
from 1000 to |, $50 for the Democratic
ticket, but this overwhelming defeat by
no means dampencd the ardor of the
opponents of the ID. and II. Canal Co.
They promptly drew up petitions, to
which hundreds Of names were secured
in Wayne and LuZcrnc counties, which
| were sent to members of the House and
Senate, praying for an investigation of
the company's affairs and urging the
Legislature to avail itself of its resump-
ton privilege at the expiration of the
thirty years. They had their labor for
their pains, however. An investigating
committee was indeed appointed, which
held sessions and took testimony in
IIonesdale and Carbondale as well rs
other places, and summoned the officers
OF the company before it to give an ac-
count of their stewardship. The result
was report which recommended that
the State waive its reserved right of re-
sumption. Among the expenses of the
committee Thomas ii. Bass was paid
four dollars for his services in subpoena
ing witnesses in Wayne. Early in the
session of 1852, Slas S. Benedict, of
Carbondale, formerly of this county, in
troduced a bill in the House for the re-
peal of the resumption act, which was
passed. In the Senate the measure met
with much opposition, but was carried
on the 2Sth of April, 1852 by a vote of
Is to IA. Many amendments were Of
fered, requiring the company to pay the
State a share of its profits, percentage
on its capital, ETC., but none prevailed,
and on the 30th of April the Governor
signed the bill repeating the resumption
clause and giving the Del. and Hud. Co.
a perpetual charter, authorizing the cor
poration to conduct their business as in
the past and to maintain their works
and appurtenances without liability to
account or surrender.
AS sample of the petitions sent to
Harrisburg, and as showing how gener-
ally they were signed by the leading
business men of that day, we give one
of them as drawn up by the late G. S.
Minor and circulated in Honesdale and
vicinity. 1t is sad to think that not one
of the signers is now in the land of the
living.
To the Honorable the Senate and House
of Representatives of Penn'a, in Gen
eral Assembly met. The Petition of
the subscribers, citizens OF Wayne Co.
and vicinity, respectfully represents
That we are informed and believe that