USA > Pennsylvania > The Register of Pennsylvania : devoted to the preservation of facts and documents and every other kind of useful information respecting the state of Pennsylvania, Vol. IX > Part 43
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152
REPORT UPON LOTTERIES.
LMARCH
monwealth, consistently with its faitb; and without op- pression or injustice to individuals.
The committee therefore offer the following resolu- tion :
Resolved, that a committee be appointed to bring in a bill in conformity to the foregoing report, making provision for the payment of the balance which the company would be entitled to, and for the suppression of lotteries in this commonwealth, after the 31st day of December, 1833.
No. 1.
Statement of the nett proceeds of the Union Canal lot- teries, up to March 17th, 1821, as authorized by the act of April 2d, 1811.
1814, January 4, Amount received from Henry Pratt, manager of the first class, 8,000
1817, January 15, do. from Solo-
mon Allen, 4th class, 10,500
1817, December 13, do. from So-
lomon Allen, 5th class, 17,250
1818, June 8, do. from Solomon
Allen, 6th class, 29,400
1818, December 18, do. from So- lomon Allen, 7th class. 12,000
1820, February 20, do. from B. B. Howell, 2d and 3d class, 21,000
1820, May 30, do. from Solomon
28,500
Allen, 8th class,
1821, March 17, do. from Solomon Allen, 9th class, 9,600
$136,250
Deduct amount expended by the old company, up to March 17, 1831,
65,748 43
70,501 57
This amount was handed to the new board of managers, viz:
In cash, 1,511 61
In the United States' six per cent. 59,389 96
In Solomon Allen's note, .
due October 16,
9,600 00
70,501 57
The whole of which has been ex- pended as follows, viz.
1825, July 16, interest on loan of $550,000, October 16, 66
1,302 15
1,456 58
1826, January 16,
66
4,181 34
July 16, -
8,130 60
1827, January 16,
"
8,250 00
July 16,
66
8,250 00
1828, January 16,
- April 16, in part of interest
due this day,
4,649 19
70,501 57
Amount authorized to be raised by the act of 2d April, 1811, 340,000 00
Amount raised under the act of 2d April 1811,
136,250 00
Balance yet to be raised under do.
$203,750 00
The manner in which the sum of $136,250 has been expended is shown on the first page.
: The balance yet to be raised, $203,750, is pledged as follows, to wit:
1st. Loans have been effected under the authority gi-
ven by the 26th section of the act of 1811, to the ex- tent of one million four hundred and thirty thousand, four hundred dollars, and this fund is pledged to the lender of the said money.
2d. By the act of 1811, it is declared that it is just and right that the old stockholders should be placed on the same footing with the new, and this fund is express- ly pledged to said stockholders; this pledge is recog- nized by the act of 29th March, 1821 .-
Suit has been instituted in the Supreme court on be- half of the old stockholders, for the purpose of trying the question what amount they are entitled to receive- this case is now ready for argument at the present term of the court. This suit will involve the determination of the questions as to the relative rights of the loan holders and old stockholders, the extent of the respec- tive pledges, and also whether the grants are separate and distinct, or the one only a continuation of the other. It will thus be perceived that the inquiries now pending before the committee, are in train for a speedy judicial decision.
The amount claimed as arrears of the interest by the old stockholders out of this amount is $62,567 64. ATTEST, THOMAS P. ROBERTS,
Treasurer of the Union Canal Company. Philadelphia, Feb. 4, 1832.
No. 2.
Statement of the nett proceeds of the Lotteries from. January 16, 1822, to January 16, 1832.
1822. January 16, received from A. M'Intyre, Union Canal Lottery, 10th class, $9000 00
January 23, 1st, new series, 1339 80
February 28, 2d 2233 00
5039 65
Dec. 4, 7,
4th and 5th 8313 36
1823. April 18, do.
7th and 8th 10,433 50
February 25th,
9th and 10th 6387 81
1824. April 14,
11th and 12th 4775 10
November 1, 13th 5374 18
1825. March 31, under new contract 1st pay't. 6875 00 July 1, October 4, 2d 6875 00 3d 6875 00
1826. January 1,
2d year,
2d
7125 00
October 2,
3d
7125 00
1827. January 1,
4th 7125 00
March 31,
3d year,
1 st
7500 00
June 30,
2d 7500 00
September 29, December 31,
4th 7500 00
1828. March 31, 4th year,
1st
7750 00
June 30, October 1,
3d
7750 00
1829. January 1,
4th
7750 00
April 13,
5th year,
1st
8000 00
July 6,
2d
8000 00
October 11,
3d
.8750 00
1830. January 1,
4th
8250 00
April 1, new contract 1st year, 1st
July 1, 2d
7500 00
October 8, 3d
7500 00
December 31, received from A. M'In- tyre, new contract,
4th pay't. 7500 00 7500 00
1831. March 30, 2d year,
1st
July 6,
2d
7500 00
October 8,
3d
7500 00
1832. January 4,
4th
7500 00
269,210 40
Out of the above the following sums have been paid for interest on instalments paid in by the holders of the stock subscribed in April, 1821.
1822. April 16, first payment, 2700
3d 7500 00
3,048 00
April 16,
6,486 59
October, 16, 66
8,247 12
April 16,
8,250 00
October 16,
8,250 00
7500 00
2d
7750 00
March 31,
1st pay't. 7125 00
July 1,
4th 6875 00
3d
6th
6314 00
153
REPORT UPON LOTTERIES.
1832.]
1822 October16, second,
1355 00
1823. April 16, third
1947 89
October 16, fourth
2317 55
1824. April 16th, fifth
4247 62
From November 1, 1830, to January 1, 1831, 573 58
From January 1, 1831,
to January 1, 1832, 3,039 29
17,776 69
Incidental expenses at Lebanon,
From April 1, 1828, to November 1, 1828, 443 07 From November 1, 1828, to November 1, 1829, 949 92
From November 1, 1829, to November 1, 1830, 847 72
From November 1,
1830, to January 1, 1831, 56 75
At Philadelphia during same time, 2,013 82
Expenses for coal, oil, &e. &c. January 1, 1831, to January 1, 1832, 6,047 43
-- 10,358 71
Of resident engineer, president, treasurer and secretary, and clerk of the work, salaries to January 1, 1832, 9,850 00
Expenses of the water works during same time, 20,102 61
92,809 64
Balance,
$39,459 42
SUMMARY STATEMENT.
1st grant. Amount authorised to be raised by act of 2d April, 1811, $340,000 00 Amount raised under said act, 136,250 00
Balance of old grant to be raised, $203,750 00
2d grant. Amount raised un-
der second grant, $269,210 40
Amount expended
in interest,
189,532 94
Excess reserved un- der directions of the act of 26th March, 1821, af- ter paying inter- est, $79,677 46
Loans.
Interest.
$1,430,400 $85,824 00
450,000 27,000 00
Total, $1,930,400 $112,824 00
Amount of old stock on which interest is not yet paid, (in suit) 147,600
8,856 00
Repairs,
From April 1, 1828, to November 1, 1828, $3,758 45 From November 1, 1828, to November 1, 1829, 5,894 77 VOL. IX. 20
From November 1, 1829, to November 1, 1830, 4,510 60
1825. April 16, seventh
8297 94
October 16, eighth
8531 81
1826. April 16, ninth October 16, tenth
11,161 01
1827.
April 16, eleventh
12,150 00
October 16, twelfth
12,150 00
1828.
April 16; thirteenth
13,480 42
October 16, fourteenth
13,500 00
1829. April 16, fifteenth
13,500 00
October 16, sixteenthı
13,500 00
1830.
April 16, seventeenth
13,500 00
October 16, eighteenth
13,500 00
1831.
April 16, nineteenth 13,500 00
October 16, twentieth 13,500 00
189,532 94
Balance February 1, 1832, 97,677 46
Attest,
THOMAS P. ROBERTS, Treasurer of the Union Canal Company. Philadelphia, February 5th, 1832.
The act of 26th March, 1821, directs that the excess over the amount required to pay the interest guaranteed by the state raised under the authority of that act shall be reserved to meet any deficiency of interest. This sum is claimed in the suit now pending to try the rights of the old stockholders. The company have deemed themselves bound to retain it according to the direction of the act of 1821, thus understood.
No. 3.
Statement of toll received upon the Union Canal, from the opening of the navigation in 1828, to the 1st of January, 1832, and the current expenses during the same period, chargeable against the tolls.
Toll received from April 1, 1828, to January 1, 1829, 16,391 48 Toll received from January 1, 1829, to November 1, 1829, 15,796 73 Toll received from November 1,
1829, to November 1, 1830,
35,133 82
Toll received from November 1, 1830, to November 1, 1831, 59,137 21 Toll received from November 1, 1831, to January 1, 1832, 5,809 82
132,269 06
Current Expenses, viz :
Wages to lock-keepers from A- pril 1, to November 1, 1828, 3,354 94 Wages from November 1, 1828, to November 1, 1829. 9,714 51
Wages paid from November 1, 1829, to November 1, 1830, 7,497.32 Wages paid from November 1, 1830, to January 1, 1831, 844 17 Arrearages due up to Jannary 1, 1831, not yet called for, 900 00
Paid toll collectors at Lebanon, 674 83
Paid toll collectors at Fairmount, 309 61
Salaries to collectors of tolls, su- perintendents, lock-keepers, &c. from January 1, 1831, to Janua- ry 1, 1832, 11,426 25
--. 34,721 63
Total amount of stock and loans, 52,078,000 121,680 00
SUMMARY STATEMENT.
From the statements submitted it will ap-
October 16th, sixth
6351 54
10,347 16
Amount of loans upon which interest is now paid quar- terly, Amount of new stock on which interest is paid half yearly, State subscription on which at present no interest is paid, 50,000
154
REPORT UPON EDUCATION.
[MARCH
pear that there remains to be raised un- der the act of 1811, $203,750 00
And that there is under the second grant an excess reserved, agreeably to act of 1821, of 79,677 46
$124,072 54
It will also appear, that the nett proceeds of the tolls have fallen far short of the interest payable on the loans, so that there never have been any proceeds which the company could apply to the payment of interest on the stock of the company.
Attest,
THOMAS P. ROBERTS, Treasurer of the Union Canal Company. Philadelphia, February 4, 1832.
REPORT UPON EDUCATION.
Report of the Committee on Education of the House of Representatives of Pennsylvania .- Read, February 27, 1832, by Mr. Anderson, Chairman.
The committee on education, to whom so much of the Governor's message as relates to that subject was referred, report:
That in the opinion of the committee, all the provi- sion that has been made by law, for the education of the poor in this state, falls far short of a compliance with the constitutional injunction, that "the legislature shall, as soon as conveniently may be, provide by law for the establishment of schools throughout the commonwealth, in such manner that the poor may be taught gratis." The wise statesmen who framed our constitution, could not, your committee apprehend, have supposed that the legislature would adopt a plan so inefficient, and so much at variance with the letter, if not with the spirit of the constitution, as the present system of Pennsyl- vania; and it is to be lamented, that a law which had scarcely gone into operation, when it was found to be abortive, or nearly so, should continue to hold a place in our statute book for a period of more than twenty years. But your committee are not disposed to scruti- nize the measures of their predecessors, in relation to this interesting subject, with severity. Much as they lament so unaccountable a delay, in the performance of a duty, so imperatively enjoined by the constitution, they cannot believe that the enlightened representatives of the people, have ever been insensible of its magni- tude, or of the weight of the responsibility imposed upon them, for its execution. The journals of their proceedings, in reference to the measure, furnish abun- dant evidence to show, that they have been deeply im- pressed with the importance of the trust, and that their efforts to fulfil it, although unavailing, have been un- ceasing. The deep rooted prejudice of many, against innovation, or a departure from long established usages; the avarice of some, who are too penurious to allow their own offspring the advantages of education; the ignorance of others; and the want of a publie fund, the only foundation on which a system of common schools can permanently rest, are among the causes that have exerted the greatest influence in preventing the ad- vancement of the cause of education in Pennsylvania.
Your committee have not the vanity to suppose they could shed any new light upon a subject, which has so frequently engaged the talents and attention of some of the ablest statesmen of our country, and which has been so repeatedly and anxiously recommended and pressed upon the attention of the legislature, by our present chief magistrate and his predecessors, and by memorials from every section of the state.
If it be true, that the happiness of the people, is the legitimate and sole end of the government; that their attachment to the government, is its best security, and the only conservative power we can resort to with con-
fidence, to protect and preserve the liberties of our country, it is equally true, that the improvement of their moral and intellectual condition, by a general diffusion of knowledge, would more successfully and effectually promote the attainment of these ends, than any other measure which could be presented to the consideration of the legislature.
Of all the numerous adversaries of civil liberty, ig- norance is the most formidable. Through its aid and influence, tyrants and demagogues were enabled to subvert the liberties of all the ancient republics.
Many years have elapsed, since the patriots of South America unfurled the banner of rebellion-since they were enabled to rouse the redeeming spirit of revolution into active operation; but owing to the extreme igno- rance and moral degradation of much the largest por- tion of the population, many more must elapse, before they can be a free, prosperous and happy people. Ig- norance presents a formidable barrier against the pro- gress of civilization, of religion, and of morality. It promotes vice, idleness, poverty, and pauperism. In fine, it is the polluted and prolific source from which nearly all the miseries of mankind emanate.
If then, the correctness of the foregoing observations be admitted, what an impressive lesson do they present to us. What stronger motives, your committee would ask, ean we have, to press forward in the cause of edu- cation, with unremitting zeal and perseverance? What stronger inducements can we have, to labor unceasingly and diligently in the cause, until we triumph over every obstacle that may present, to prevent the accomplish- ment of an end, in which the happiness and prosperity of the rising generation, and of generations to come, are so deeply involved?
The decided superiority of the laboring poor of other states, in which successful experiments have been made, over the same class in Pennsylvania, should be sufficient to stimulate us to the performance of this duty. It is a moral duty, imposed upon us by the author and dispens- er of all good. "It is the first of our political duties; we owe it to our principles, to our institutions, to our posterity, and to mankind."
But although your committee are aware, that one of the first and most important duties enjoined on the legis- lature, is to provide for the education of the poor, and are duly impressed with the necessity for prompt and efficient legislation upon the subject, they feel con- strained, reluctantly, to yield to the conviction, that the present is not a propitious time to introduce a system, differing materially in its provisions from the one now in operation.
Owing to the fears too generally entertained, that an onorous system of taxation must be resorted to, to pay the debts contracted by the state, in the construction of her canals, rail roads, and other public works, any plan your committee could mature, requiring the imposition of additional taxes, for its support, would, it is believed, meet sufficient opposition, to render it abortive. They are also of opinion, that the time will not arrive very soon when any system of common school education, that must derive the means of supporting it, from taxation alone, can be carried into successful operation.
To secure the prosperity and permanent establish- ment of schools throughout the commonwealth, in the manner indicated by the terms of the constitution, the aid of a productive school fund, is deemed indispensa- bly necessary.
The want of this aid, your committee believe, was the chief cause of the rejection and failure of the act of eighteen hundred and twenty-four, and of the oppo- sition to all the schemes that have since been matured, and recommended for legislative action.
It is the prop which sustains the systems of New York and Connecticut, and the stay which must support any system of common schools that our successors may adopt.
Impressed, no doubt, with this conviction, the legis-
155
THE VALLEY OF MUNCY.
1 832. ]
lature, at their last session, passed an act, providing the means for raising a fund, the interest of which, when it shall have amounted to the sum of one hundred thou- sand dollars, is to be "distributed and applied to the support of common schools, throughout the common- wealth, in such manner as may hereafter be provided by law."
Your committee cherish a hope, that the time will soon arrive, when the fund will be sufficient to warrant the distribution of that sum, and that the period is not very remote, when it will yield a sum sufficient to secure the introduction and permanent support of any efficient system their successors may adopt.
Your committee are aware, that the duty of project- ing and perfecting a system, that will be adequate to the wants and wishes of the people, will be difficult and embarrassing, without the aid of other and more valuable information upon the subject, than the present legislature is possessed of.
In order, therefore, that their successors, upon whom that duty may devolve, may be furnished with all the useful information that can be obtained, your committee would respectfully recommend the adoption of the ac- companying resolutions :
Resolved, By the Senate and House of- Representa- tives of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, in Genc- ral Assembly met, That the Governor be, and he is hereby authorised to appoint three commissioners, whose duty it shall be, to collect all the information, and pos- sess themselves of all the facts, relating to the subject of education, that can be obtained from any quarter, and to embody the same, with such remarks and sugges- tions as they may think proper to make, in a report, to be transmitted to the next legislature.
Resolved, By the authority aforesaid, That the ac- counts of the commissioners appointed under the fore- going resolution, for expenses necessarily incurred- in the discharge of their duties, shall be settled and allow- ed by the Auditor General, and paid by the State Trea- surer.
From the Muncy Telegraph. THE VALLEY OF MUNCY.
Many of the names of villages, rivers, and mountains in our country, still retain the names given to them by the original inhabitants, or take the name of some tribe which formerly inhabited the surrounding country. Thus that tract of country which lies in the lower end of Lycoming county, in the state of Pennsylvania, bound- ed on the west by the Loyalsock ereck, on the south- west by the West Branch of the Susquehanna river, on the south by the Muncy hills, on the cast by the line of Columbia county, and on the north by the Allegheny mountain; derived its name of Muncy from the tribe of Indians called Muncy, who formerly were undisputed lords of the soil, the remnant of which has been driven far to the west, by the advancing tide of white popula- tion, so that their name would be forgotten, had they not left it impressed upon the hills and streams which they formerly frequented.
On the great road, which leads from Northumberland to Williamsport, the county seat of Lycoming county, about twenty-five miles from the former, which is at the junction of the North and West Branches of the Susque- hanna, on the northern descent of the Muncy hills, there is a point from which a view of a great part of this beau- tiful country may be obtained; to the left may be seen the level and fertile valley of Illack Hole, formed by the Bald Eagle mountain on the north, and Muncy hills on the south, and separated from Muncy by the river, which adds much to the beauty of the prospect, wind- ing round the end of the Bald Eagle mountain, after having washed its base a distance of thirty-five miles; in front there is a gradual slope towards the north about two miles, which terminates in the bed of Muncy creek. About half way to the creek stands the neat little vil-
lage of Muncy. On the north side of the creek the land is rolling, but of good quality. At the distance of five or six miles to the north, may be seen the first range of hills, which present an undulated appearance, the hills being broken by frequent vales. Beyond these hills at the distance of eleven miles, the Allegheny mountain, the father of many waters, may be seen, cour- sing from north-east to south-west, adding sublimity to the scene.
Towards the east the wide flat of land extends from the river about five miles, and it is here bounded by such hills as appear towards the north; this hill country ex- tends to the Columbia county line, being a distance of about twenty miles.
The principal stream which waters this section of country, is Muncy creek, which empties into the river immediately opposite the end of the Bald Eagle moun- tain, and about one mile from the village of Muncy; it is formed by the junction of the Big and Little Muncy, about three miles from its mouth, the former having its course of twenty-five mdes nearly in a western dirce- tion.
The eastern section of hill country, comprising the townships of Moreland, Penn, Franklin, and part of Shrewsbury, sustains 1600 inhabitants, it abounds in White-pine timber of a very good quality, which now finds a ready market at the Mills, as it is here that a large part of that rich and populous valley, lying south of Muncy hills, must seek its supply of lumber of every description.
The middle portion of the district which I am at- tempting to describe, consists of the townships of Muncy and Muncy Creek, containing 1969 inhabitants, and the borough of Muncy, containing 479 inhabitants; this section of country is fertile, and is improving rapid- ly, it has also an advantage on account of which the density of population will be greatly increased, viz: that excellent water can easily be obtained, by digging in almost any situation.
About five miles north-east from the borough of Mun- cy, and on the Big Muncy creek, is situated the village of Ilughsville; it contains about one hundred inhabi- tants, it is rising fast in importance, and its trade yearly increasing.
The township of Fairfield, or the most western part of the district; is partly composed of river bottom and partly of hill land, it contains 864 inhabitants; the amount of population of the district being 4912.
There are on the waters of Muncy creek, thirty-three saw mills, many of which are kept in operation several months in the year-there are also, seven grist mills and three wool and cotton factories within five miles of the borough of Muncy; but it is to be regretted that, within the same distance, there are five distilleries now in blast, which at the lowest estimate destroy twenty-five thou- sand bushels of grain in a year.
The borough of Muncy is rapidly increasing in size and population, it is possessed of considerable trade, in which it cannot be rivalled by any other point; being situated at the bend of the river and at an equal distance between Williamsport and Milton, so that the trade of the greater part of the country above described, must centre lere, as well as part of the trade of Clinton township, on the west side of the river, and of the coun- try south of the Muncy hills.
Through this place, daily stage coaches pass, in their route from Washington city to Black Rock in the state of New York; stages also arrive at Muncy, six times a week from Pottsville, three of those arrivals being by the way of Danville, and three by the way of Blooms- burg, besides various other mails which are carried on horse-back.
The number of newspapers which yearly arrive at the Post office of Muncy, destined for the Borough and its immediate neighbourhood, is estimated at 10,000, which would argue that a reading spirit prevails throughout this section of country; there is also a very neat weekly
156
REPORT ON PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
[MARCH
paper published in this place, called the " MUNCY TEL- EGRAPH," which has a general circulation through this part o the country.
It is, however, believed that could a direct communi- cation by a good road, be opened between Muncy and that part of the state of New York which lies north of it, that great advantages would accrue, not only to the inhabitants of Muncy and other towns below it on the West Branch, but also to the holders of lands on the route of such road, and to the inhabitants of Bradford county and of that part of the state of New York which lies adjacent.
The advantages to Muncy, to be expected from such a road are very apparent.
1st. The trade would be extended by the rapid set- tlement of those wild lands through which such road must pass, which must depend on Muncy for various supplies,
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