Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1826-12-07


directed 10 commence when the improvement shoult
be completed as high up as Siaughters' Greek
could in no possible view be justified on the ground
OF benefit to be derived from that navigation--on
the contrary those tolls could only have been war
ranted by the advantages expected to be conferred
on that section of country, by opening to it di-
rect trade at all seasons OF the year with the tide
water cities on the east, and with the markets OF
the Ohio and the Mississippi on the West This
conviction acquired additional confirmation by the
act OF February 1921, in which the Legislature
declare that the coal trade of James River, and the
salt trade of the Great kanawha ought to be foster
ed and encouraged, and that the tolls before i'm
posed of two cents per bushel on those articles,
ought to be reduced, and by enscting that until
certain loans were paid, the minimum toll on salt
and coal should be one cent per bushel, the MAXI
mum TWO cents, while, by the same act, vigorous
preparations authorized for the execution of the
entire work.
BY the act of February 1929 the Legislature in
culcated the same confidence, by organizing the
| agency by which the work in progress, and
providing the necessary funds for its execution,
without any modification affecting its continuity,
| or the tolls TO be paid for its use.
In the winter of 1924 '25 short section of ca
nal was authorised TO be constructed where the
James River passes the Blue Ridge, coupled with
an indication OF an intention to abandon the fur
ther execution OF this important aud Interesting
y
your memoriali4s, citizens of Virginia, il is
their opinions destructive of The best interests and
hopes OF the State, and which they can but regard
as surrendering the only measure which could re-
trieve the fallen Influence, the diminished wealth,
and receding power of the Commonwealth.
| To the Legislature of 1925, '26,y your memorial
lists looked with anxiety, and not without hopes OF
witnessing the termination of the dropping enter
prize. The example of New York, drawing to
her great mart the rich commerce of the northern
Lakes oi the infant State OF Ohio, in the success
iul effort 10 connect the varied trade of the Lake
Erie with that of the river Ohio were occurrences
calculated to attract the consideration of those who
presiaed over the desnes of Virginia, particularly
the advantages which the Ohio canal offers to our
acceptance. That work will lead the trade of the
upper Lakes TO point approximating the mouth OF
the Great Kanswha, so as 10 render the communi.
cation through the State OF Ohio, but an eongation
oil The virginia enterprise, and placing il within
Inc power oil the Commonwealth by the completion
OF the work which she has begun, to unite through
the centre OF her territory the commerce of the
West, to the Lake of the Woods, with that of
her cities on the waters of the Chesapeake. AS
yet, however, these strong Undue ements to action
nave been imperative, and your men,orialists are
lett TO contemplate The abandonment of the pros
poets OF that enlarged intercourse and trade which
Inc act OF lS2O promised them, " bile the statute
DOCK contains the Tariff of Tolls predicated upon
the enjoyment OF those advantages, and which sub
Ject their principal commodity TO exacrions which
under the present state OF things must be ruinous
| TO them.
IN calling the attention of the legislature 10
Inc injustice which they must sustain by an mposi-
'ioh OF The Tolls as nov regulated by lay:, your
memoriasts beg leave 10 remark that when the
ioll was fixed on Salt that article was worth ono
dollar per bushei, al the place of manufacturer and
'nat IL does not now command more than sixteen
cents per onshei at the same place. Therefore on
me ground OF the diminished value of the article
strong motives would suggest thernseIye, for rev.
ing a tax, WHICH, to be rightfui, must be at all
times graduated by the value of the article taxed
lhs principle led 10 the reduction oil the toll
charged on coal on the canal completed near Rirb.
nond' and your memorialis:s will not donbt Nh.
application OF the measure O. Justice toyvar
.iie'h 10 relation 10 commodity in which th.r
nave experienced much greater depression But
your mefncFlas;s beg leave to aiver to the ollie,
circumstance connected with their trade; and Ia
some OF me peculiar consequences likely 10 result
from The partial execution of the work originally
designed By tie government, and the absndon,uen,
of The residue.
Before any work was done on the Kan,r,,.,
river your nemorialiss ere in possessio, of ,
navigation not susceptible of mproy ernen, for
seven or eish months IN the year, ard ALTHOUGH
during the latter part OF the Summer and Autumn
they were unable TO take their salt 10 the Wes..,n
markets In the larger class of boats in use for that
rurpofe, yet they enabled To send il sui a,
almost all seasons In Vessels Carrying from 90 to
10y os'Ieis' ana ny giving proper direction TO
Their business, were exposed TO but little jncon-
vcnIence on the score OF the navigation. Hence
lis Improvement was matter of serious jnteres.
only as II formed link in the general line of com
inunication, by the completion of which your me-
moriaiis's would have been enabled 20 .upplv the
middle counties with salt, an article annnaIlv
falling in price TO the West from the lreouent dis
coveries OF salt water in that quarter. The open.
Ing oil the entire line, must have drawn much of
merchandise demanded by the wants of the
west oy this route, giving employment TO a
great many Wagons between Kanawbs and
CovIngton, or inducing the connection nv water
communication throughout the entire distance. in
ehher OF which events, the salt of Kansvyb a
would nave reached the head of the James Rive,
canal with so nconsiderable charge for TRANSPORTS,
uon, as to have entered into successful co,nr.,,.
ton with foreign salt, throughout the coun,ry yes,
OF tine Blue Ridge, ifnot on the waters ~ Jam.s
n'Vef oeiow the mountains, and thus secured TO
your themofialIsis an indemnity for the high tolls
On SAT- descending the Kanawha river; but az The
a'Vaht sges cannot be enjoyed without The compie-
'ion Oh The entire line, they are humby of opinion
'hst on this ground they are also entitled on prip
ciples OF common justice, to relief, and that inde,
existing circumstances, tariff Of tolls should be
ADOPTED, bearing just relation to the benefits which
.ne Improvement Of tn. KaDawha river NAV con
ief' and to the present value fthe article en- hi
the toll is imposed.
10 what extent the works planned in a course
OF execution on the Great Kanavyhs ,iyor ..,r
operate TO improve the navigation, remains ~
some measure to be dnveloped; while some of ,l,
most dIicut and dangerous parts OF the liver have