Year: 1861

the State is unsurpassed by any other section
Of our Commonwealth. 1t has also mineral
wealth that needs development. Now, this
corporation, said to be SO opulent, proposes to
develop the resources of the State in other
sections; and l merely desire that this develop
meut shall be extended to the much neglected
portion Of cur State.


l hope that every member upon this floor
who supports this measure with view to the
improvement of the State will see the proprie-
ty of coming to the assistance of Bradford and
Wyoming counties. On this question, living in
that district, | feel most earnestly. ] hope
gentlemen will not desert ne now, but that
they will come to my aid aad engraft this pro-
vision upon this bill. Sir, if | fail in this
cannot be answerable for my action in the fu-
ture in regard to this measure, which by the
action of this body hitherto, | apprehend the
House is determined to pass. do not intend
as | have said, to 90 into q general discussion
upon the merits of the bill only rise for the
purpose Of urging upon the attention of this
House this road as an important one 10 be
considered in developing the resources Of the
State. 1t is important that this assistance
shall be extended to the district | represent.


On the question, shall the Bill pass?


Mr. TRACY, moved that the House go into
Committee of the Whole for the purpose Of
special amendment viz to add the following
proviso at the end Of the last section;


" ProriIed, This Act shall not go into ef-
feet until after the next general election, at
which time it shall be submitted to the people
for their approval or rejection"


Mr. TRACY. Gentlemen argue upon this


floor that this is a measure that is desired by
the people-that it relieves the people from
burdens which have been resting upon them
that this measure is to be popular measure
Now, Mr.. Speaker, it is certainly bill fraught
with important consequences This bill, Whcth-
er it be popular with the people or not pro-
poses abstraction from the State Treasury Of
at least six millions of dollars. Sir, it propo-
ses TO abolish "a source of revenue Of the best
character in the world, which is reliable, in
creasing and certain. Now, sir, before we
proceed thus summary to dispose of interests
Of vast Importance to this Commonwealth
would it not be wise to consult the people, and
to know what they think about it? 1t does
seem to me, Mr.. Speaker, that it would be
wise, at least for the gentlemen on this floor
from the rural DISTRICTS to kuow little about
what their constituents think of this monster
With regard to gentlemen from the city of
Philadelphia, which owns nine-tenthS of this
railroad, they may be sustained in supporting
this measure But | would appeal to gentle
men from the rural districts, whose constitu-
ents own nothing here but who have to pay
the taxes to support this government. What
will those people thjnk of an abstraction Of
this character?


am not accustomed to make political ap-
peais to the members of this body but
would ask the friends of the State admnistra-
ton what they think will be the sentiment AID
the voice Of the people upon this question at
the coming election. The dominant party
here cannot conceal from themselves the fact
that they control the Executive branch Of this
Commonwealth, as we'll as both branches of
this Legislature, ard the responsibility for any
proy.deut legislation like this, must, sir, of ne.
ce>s,tv, rest upon the dominant party now in
this Commonwealth 1t can be placed no.
where else. | tell gentlemen not to deceive
themselves upon this subject. Though here
the previous question may be called aud
members be cu5 Of from debate, | tell the
gentlemen that there is no previous question"
to SHUT the mouths Of tax payers and voters
OF Pennsylvania. The previous question" "
can not he called upon them And | say to
the Republicans in this House, that with the
Republican party rests the responsibility Of this
monstroaS bill, which is now before the House
aud though they may not adopt my PROPOSE
ton to submit the question to the people, they
must of necessity submit themselves to the
people their positions upon this floor must
be submitted to the people. Gou cannot
avoid that gentlemen. Whether you decide
to leave this momentOuS matter to the people,
or not, they will decide upon it; and they will
decide upon you-the members of the Repub
iican party. That party have the power, if
they have the will, to scotch this Infamous
Serpent-this large, fat serpent. The lean
serpent has already wound his coils around
the majority of this House the Sunbury and
Erie bill has passed beyond recovery, so far as
this body is concerned. 1t has not dragged
its slow length along but its Infamous coils,
its immense proportions, have shown them
selves all around this Hall | have no doubt
what is to be the result of allowing this fat
serpent to go successfully through this House.
The two, sir, are very properly yoked-the
lean one and the fat one Gentlemen who
force this measure through, if they be not an
swerabe in this hall, must be answerable at
the great ordeal of the ballot box. The Re
publican party cannot avoid that ordeal,


We talk about the repeal Of some little
nircty-fth section OF something Of the sort.
tell gentlemen that such matters are but chaff
in comparison with the vast question embrac-
ed in this bilI-which Involves an amount of
more than six millions of dollars to this Com
monwealth. The bill that has already passed
this morning, involves loss to the people of
three millions aud a half of dollars These
funds were as sacredy aud solemnly pledged
as constitutional enactments could pledge
them. to the sinking fund of this Common.