The pilot. [volume] (Baltimore [Md.]) 1840-1840, 1840-04-15
THE CHESAPEAKE AND OHIO CANAL.

THE CHESAPEAKE AND OHIO CANAL.
On our first page we give the report OF the
Chief Engineer, showing loss to the STATE by Inc
suspension of the work on this canal OF about one
million of dollars in the prosecution OF the work,
if to this be added the loss of boats, and what is
more. the loss of the business and trade in the
lanai twill be found that the injury to the state
will be millions.
Below we give the reply of the Governor to a
committee of the people of Allegheny, requesting
a called session ofthe Legislature. The matters
involved are of such weighty importance, that
they should be treated with candor and liberallly,
and we shonld approach them with flxed deter
mination TO rise above all considerations of par
! ty.
ANNAPOLIS, April 7th, 1910.
Gentlemen Your memorial, in behalf Of a
nuhic meeting held in Allegany County re-
nnesrInu me 10 convene the Legislature 'lor
the purpose of taking into consideration the
question Of granting immediate aid to the ca
nal has been received and carefully consider
ed.
In relation 10 the adjournment and meeting
of the legislature, the constitution OF Maryland
nrovi,les. "that the senate and delegates may
adjourn themselves respectively, but 1t the two
houses should rot agree on the same time, but
adjourn on different days, then the governor
shall appoint and notify one OF those days or
some dav between, and the assembly shall then
meet and be held accordingly; and he shall, If
necessary. by advice Of the council, call them
before the time to which they shall in any man
ner be adjourned, on giving not less than ten
DAYS notice thereof.
NV opinion has always been, that the power
of calling the Legislature together ought not
10 be exercised by the Executive, unless IN the
case of some great emergency which may arise
DURING the recess: During the recent session,
the Legislature had the ,stlon OF granting
aid to The canal, fully under consideration; ana
Immediately before the adjournment decided
against it, without making provision, or eX
pressing wish, for an earlier meeting than
The time fixed by the constitution. This deci-
sion was made under knowledge oil all the
circumstances connected with the subject. and
of the consequences that were likely to ensue
from the suspension OF the work.
The probability is, that majority OF the
members who were absent when the question
was taken, would have voted against 1t, and,
that III an extra SeSSlOu WeTc HUW tic
result would be the same. | have not heard
that any members who were opposed 10 the
canal bill, have changed their opinions or ex-
pressed wish to meet again for the purpose
of changing their votes. While an extra ses-
sion. therefore, would be likely 10 afford relief
to the canal company, it would be objectiona-
BILE on the ground of serious Inconvenience to
the members, and of considerable expense to
the State. In addition TO these reasons, |
think it would be disrespectiul to the members
of the Legislature 10 call them together for the
purpose of requesting them to reconsider their
votes; especially in a case, in which none OF
them had intimated change OF opinion, and
when there was reason to believe that large
majority of the people would dsapprove oisuch
a proceeding on the part Of the Executive.
Entertaining these views, which have been
carefully and deliberately formed, it is impossi
BILE for me to comply with the request OF the
citizens of Allegany, for whose disappointment
feel deep concern, and whose wishes 1t
would give me pleasure to crafty, if it were
in my power.
| remain very respectfully,
Your obedient serv't,
WIN. GRASON.
To s. M. Semmes, C. M. Thurston, t. J. Nc
Caig, II. NJ. Petit, VIM. Taylor, Com
mittee of public meeting in Allegany.