run it with great regularity, and without serious accident or inconvenience. There is a great lack of motive power on this road, and my own experience proves that it is poor economy to be in this condition, and especially in future, when the advantages for obtaining motive power have so much improved. Upon this road, three engines only have been in use the past year, the fourth one having recently been put in operation. The road needs now at least four new locomotives, two of which should be placed on the road early in the spring, and two as early as July next; and then this amount of motive power would by no means be sufficient for the business offered in the months of September and October, but would no doubt be all that it would be found profitable to add in one year. An increase of motive power would be good economy without an increase of business, as having more, we should be able to pass over the road at a less rapid rate, at a greater saving to machinery, cars and road, thereby greatly lessening the expenses in re-building and making repairs. I am aware that it will not be good policy to augment the facilities to such an extent as to do all the down freighting in three months, and remain nearly idle the balance of the year; but sufficient should be had to do all that is done, because if it goes by some other mode, it is forever lost to the state, and inasmuch as the state has engaged in the carrying trade for the country or vicinity through which this road passes, it seems to me they should be prepared to do all that must and does go forward. I am well aware that considerations of a pecuniary nature have hitherto prevented the purchase of the motive power needed, but I trust that crisis has passed, and especially in reference to this road, and believe that no difficulty exists in the way of making the requisite purchases, and that the additional net proceeds of the ensuing year would more than pay for the purchases recommended. The addition to this road of the Palmyra and Jacksonburgh railroad, and the probability of its farther extension to Clinton at an early day, will bring a large increase of business to this road, and hence the necessity of increasing the motive power and cars to meet the demand. The net proceeds of this year are as follows: Paid on construction S. R. R. Do. $275 84 do. on Tecumseh branch, on account of I have also to inform you that on the 22d of October last, the of fice at Monroe, in charge of S. Murphy, Esq., Collector, was robbed of money belonging to the state to the amount of $1,540 75, of which no trace has been to this date obtained. All of which is respectfully submitted. J. H. CLEVELAND, Sup't. |