Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1835-01-17
ALEXANDRIA:
SATURDAY MORNING, JANUARY II, 1885

The Baltimore American, in commenting,
week or two ago, upon communication which
appeared in this Gazette, -among other things
remarked
"The writer does not appear to regard as
set-off to the appropriation by Virginia, $780,
600 given by Congress for the construction OF
an aqueduct the building Of the alexandra
Jail, and large sums appropriated for the rellef
of her citizens in the winter Of '27 and 2S, when
Alexandria was half burned down."
Now, if the Editors had mentioned the sum
given, and had forborne the gross ampllhcahon
of amount of damage, they would have been
more Just towards us. One fftieth of the town
burnt would have been nearer the truth. IL Is
the particular period that this article appeared,
more than the matter itself, that shews the IN
tent of the writer, and that induces us now TO
refer to it. We thought that, in Canal matters,
we were now all amity and good will! FROM
the kind feeling which was shewn by the good
people of Baltimore towards the poor sufferers
by the fire, we have no doubt but that large
contribution would have been made there for
them. For the donation from Congress, and
the manner in which it was bestowed, we feel
more than We can express. Under the convic-
ton that contributions the free gift Of the citi-
Zens Of the United States, would have equaled,
at least, the donation Of Congress, we have no
hesitation in saying that this appropriation, in
saving the people of Baltimore from their con-
tribution, was as beneficial to them as ii was to
the people Of Alexandria.
Speaking on this subject, We are tempted to
enlarge On recurring to the period of the
Chesapeake and Ohio Canal Convention, in
1924, we find one common interest for this great
work A subsequent measure withdrew the
people Of Baltimore from participation in tine
expense Of it. We will now, for a moment,
examine its actual situation. In the first place,
the Canal is carried through Georgetown-and
We may with truth say, that nearly all the trade
of the Canal centres in that place. In the Sc
cond place. the Canal is finished to the City of
Washington, enabling the people there to ex-
tend it to the Navy Yard, and get as much trade
as their situation will commands but, of truth,
it must be admitted, that the whole is very small
at present; and if it does not justify, at least il
gives much effect to, the language Of the Agents
Of the Baltimore and Ohio Rail Road Compa-
NY" We admit" say they, "that the price in
get at Baltimore: yet, still, you cannot rely on
" that price-the market there is easily over
" stocked-there are buttwo purchasers there.
" We will give you free passage to and from
Baltimore in the Railroad cars, &C." Such
is the language ascribed to them, and we do
not apprehend that the public interest suffers by
their actvty;-it is competition in these things
which produces accommodation
The actual situation Of Georgetown and
Washington has been shewn. They have as
much as they can wish for as regards the present
extent of the Canal. Baltimore, without the
contribution of one cent, takes away the bene-
fit from both. AT Harpers Ferry, at the Point
of Rocks and soon at the City Of Washington,
her Railroads take the fruits Of those measures
lchich, by long delay, bid fair TO ruin those on
uhom this burden has heretofore fallen.
What, now, is the actual situation of Alexan-
dria as regards the Canal? Our trade with all
parts contiguous to it is, at present, in danger of
being lost; our fears are verified; nor can we
have any direct participation, until We are put
in an equal situation with our neighbors, by Q
continuous Canal, by which the horses which
bring down the boats to Georgetown and Wash.
ington can continue their route by the same
means, provided it is their interest or pleasure.
When this is accomplished, part of the argu-
ment used will be done away: there will be more
than two purchasers; and we do not doubt, We
shall deprive Baltimore Of small portion of that
which she may otherwise obtain. But even in |
this, she will be gamer. The trade with Alex |
andra, already considerable, will increase in
those branches in which the advantage is so
much in her favor. Look at the immense drains
of funds which are daily drawn from the Dis.
trict; and every one must be convinced, that
The promotion Of the interests Of the District is
adding to the prosperity Of Baltimore and the
other great Northern cities.
Trade, in all countries radiates, and will
always radiate, to the Empire City; but
still, it ought to be free to take divergent
ines. Monopolies are odious to the free insti
utions of the United States. Freedom to 90
where We are called by our interest or our plea.
'ure, is more consonant to the prosperity and
happiness of the country at large than to be tied
N ono undeviatino tracL A..