Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1826-01-03
OHIO.

The two Houses of the Legislature Of Ohio,
met on the 9th inst. and on the 9th, received a
copious and sensible Message from Gov. Morrow
We annex that part of the message, which relates
to The great Ohio Canal
" The operations of the board OF Commissioners,
appointed by your body at the last session, under
the provisions Of the act, for opening navigabe
Canal from Lake Erie to the Ohio river; and from
Dayton to Cincinnati, have been attended with
that success, which promises the favorable re-
suit to those grand and important public works..
The loan of 400 900 dollars authorised by that law
has been negoci lated by the board of Commission
ers OF the canal fund, at an interest little exceed
ing 5 per cent. per annum; but small part Of
which will be charged upon the State, until the
principal shall have been actually expended. The
Canal Commissioners have. within the past season,
placed under contract, thiriy-four miles on the
'myahoga Summit, ten and half on the Licking
and two and halt on the embankment of the re-
seryor, on that summit, and forty-two miles on
the Miami line, making in the aggregate eighty
eight and three quarter miles. To complete those
contracts, on the different parts Of the lines, and
which embrace parcels of each variety of works OF
be performed, will require sum little short to
100000 dollars, falling somewhat within the esti-
mate, made by the Engineer, and reported to the
General Assembly, at their last session by the
Canal Commissioners. In the performance of this
work, from which on its completion large revenue
may with certainty be anticipated economy would
dictate all that prompt exeftion and expedition.
which would be consistent with the public resour-
ces and the advantageous application of them--
But while on the one hand, it should not be un-
necessarily delayed, and the state tso long subject
ed to the payment of interest on the funds. ex-
pended in its partial construction, and before il has
become productive; so on the other, it should moi
be pressed forward so hastily, as TO render taxa
ton burthensome, or materially increase the price
oflabour and thereby add to the expense of the
work. 1t is by pursuing proper medium, that The
public interest will be best promoted, and the
greatest advantages secured TO the state.
1t appears thet after meeting the existing con-
tracts, there will remain Of the loan nracted,
that to be contracted for; in the ens,iDg year, less
than the sum Of 800 goo. Hence new contracts
could only be made to that amount within the yesr.
1t is not doubted, that much larger sum might be
more advantsgeousIy employed, without at all I'M
favouraby affecting the price OF abour. From the
present state Of the Treasury, it is satisfactorily
ascertalned. that the interest Of loan OF one mil
lion of dollars in addition to that now authorized,
could be met without aresort to any additional tax
alton On every consideration, it would appear
proper that the Commissioners of The Canal fnud
should be empowered TO contract for n loan of at
least one million of dollars in the ensuing year
And il is worthy of consideration, whether I'M
der certain restrictions, policy would not require
that they should have power TO contract loan
for the whole amount, estimated as necessary TO
complete the line OF canals, now directed to be
opened
" The experience Of the present year, carries
with it the strongest and best assurances of safety
in the progress aud perfect success in the final con-
summation OF that important work. RAPIDLY in
creasing population the industry Of our Citizens
the growing wealth and resources OF our county
indace strong belief, that the undertaking which