Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1841-03-16

the preceding seasons the amount OF this extra eXpcn-
diture would have been augmented IN prop"rtonate
degree.
Although retarded and obstructed by the nnfavora-
bic character of the season. the repairs upon the diff
erent SECTIONS pressed with energy and despatch;
nsomuch that the condition of the road al no time, Tor
any considerable distance, presented Just cause oil com
plant; aud upon the whole, IL sustained most lavor.
able comparison with The adj unct turnpkes with winch
| II ~ connected
The regular road repairs were completed upon Inc
fourth section tho 18th September; and upon The
FIRST second and third, the 10th October: and, as
the sections finished their respective forces pass
ed oil tie line and discharged, except part o
the hands attached to the first and second sections who
were retained 10 work upon the bridges then IN pro
gross Little and Big Snel Greeks
| In the course Of the past season, five considerable
bridges have been constructed upon the kanawha
road-one over Burning Spring Branch, No feet long
costing by contract SilS 25-one over Uptons creek
% feet long, costing Sl12 50-and over Two-snd
three quarter mile creek W feet long, costing 1892 CO
and, likewise, new abulment, and new supersruc-
tnre, 10 the bridge Big Suel, and bridge
over Little SueI Creek the Of the two last Of
Inch not having been yet asceraincd, cannot be enf
braced in the present statement In addition TO these
five small bridge is in progress over Jacket Greek
Since the period Of the last annual meeting, some
changes have occurred in TIE fiscal regulations and
in the sources of revenue, on the kanawha Turnpike,
which are deemed worthy OF mention 10 the proprelors
of the stock.
The establishment of the turnpike gate imme diately
to the east of the White Sui phur springs appearing 10
the directory, upon investigation OF the subject to
operate in some respects unus,ly and nconvenienty
10 the public it was ordered in January last 10 be re-
moved 10 point the road about SIX miles west OF
the town of LepisJnrg. IN consequence OF inability
here toore procure the services OF suitable tolga
thcrer nj the place selected for the location, the
change has vel been made; but It will be carried IN
10 effect soon as THIS obstacle 10 Tie execution Vi the
order can be removed
In the wear lcsi, prompted by desire 10 accommo-
date the local population the line OF the road, The
board gave authority 10 the agent To receive from all
customers Of the road residing within II miles oi a
turnpike gate payment in advance, at the commence
men Of each quarter of the year. Of sum certain, 10
ne agreed upon between the parties, as Communication
Tor the payment Of the tolls al the time OF actually ac-
cruing during the quarter. After an experiment Of
this arrangement continued for four years, under able
and faithful agency, the board impressed with the
belief that It's practical operation untavorabe TO the
interests Of the company; and accordingly, in January
last directed its dscontinuance. Since that period,
this system of Communication has been limited 10 persons
residing within four miles oil the gates, prescribed by
law.
In consequence of the heavy SHOWS and intense cold
in the mountains during the last winter, and the de-
RANGED state Of the currency throughout the year, the
travel upon the road in si0, has been much less than
in the preceding year; but the falling OIL IN tue
revenue from this has been made up, IN great
DEGREE bv the tolls upon the article OF tobacco, winch
now furnishes considerable and increasing branch OF
commerce. over the road, with the towns upon the
western waters Facts to Justify the belief, that
while circumstances will occasionally be found to d.
mnsh the receipts for quarter, the regular business
ofthe road is gradually improving.
Upon tie Kuna,cha rirer-Opcrations were common
ced in the month of August The first considerable
work done was at Elk chutc-in repairing the wing
walls and opening the channel at the head and IN RAYS
ing and extending the southern wall at the loot By
these improvements the facilities OF passing the chute,
either ascending descending, decidedly increased
On the completion Of this work the boats dropped down
10 Johnson shoals doing small jobs on the lntermedl.
ate shoals as they descended the river. The balance OF
the working season was consumed IN executing I'M
pi".e,n, - Iehnsnn's shoals which consIsiedin
widening the middle chute aud IN idisi"a, FOR n"nic
distance til. south wall Of the upper scice, and
calculated every reasonable objection TO The
navigation ofihis portion 81 the river
The tolls upon the ascending trade, with the excep-
ton Of that upon the article Of SALT and Likewise the
tolls upon the descending trade have been paid with
ndabe correctness during the past year. But
regret 10 state that, have cause to believe that the
practice Of evadng the salt tolls, which was advered
10 in the last annual report, still continues, and that It
has reached amonn: which Is greatly detrimental to
the revenue from the river After the most drligcnt
enquiry as the best of prevention, the drec-
tory have been brought the concnslon that the defect
LES not in the officers Of the company, but IN the want
of proper support and cooperation on the part Of the
local population, who question The conpanys rghtiul
authority 10 levy the tolls. The suit pending III the
Court Of Appeals at Lemisburg, in relation 10 the right
to levy tolls upon the kanawIa river stands over I'M
til the next term OF the court when II will probably be
tried and The decision, Il IS to be hoped, Will put an
end the losses and difficulties heretofore experienced
the collection Of this portion Of the companys re-
venue.
The amount Of tolls upon the river, for all the quar-
tors Of the year. have fallen short OF the amount
for the corresponding quarters Of the preceding year.
Int there seems 10 be ground 10 apprehend any per-
,nanent reduction in the commerce oil the river
n-orERATIoSs IL THE FIRST GRAND DIVISION OF
The attention of the stockholders at the called meet
inc in the month Of June having been essentially limit
ed to the subject OF the new regulations Tor the 60
yernmen nf the canal the explanatory statement about
to be rendered in regard TO the progress OF operations
in the first grand DIVISION will refer back to the com
mcncement Of the year, as II that meeting had not
taken place.
or the work which was unfinished at the beginning
of The wear part consisting Of mechanical jobs was
of description suitable for the contract system, ana
was already in the hands of contractors whilst ano.
Their part made up o. different kinds OF earth WORK.
such as the removal of deposit from the bottom OF the
canal redrcssng and raising the embankments, clear
pr drain dlichcs and mendng breaches IN the banks,
wns from its character and dispersed suation ncaPa'
Bile of this mode Of execution, could be most advan
tuneously despatched by companys force. II was
with vie TO the latter portion OF the work, That Inc
IN an,cipae the usual and regular period for placing
superintcudents of repairs upon the canal The line
from Richmond TO Lynchburg at that time arranged
into four divisions averaging, each, about ltty seven
miles in length and superintendent Of repairs, with
an overseer and regular yearly force Of about four
teen hands, appointed TO each Of these DIVISIONS
with authority under proper restrlctons to call IN cx-
ira force, and procure requisite supplies In the
course of the spring, it found expedent to modify
this arrangement by the appointment Of general su
perintendcn and TO direct those previously appointed
to act as his assistants and the work TO be DONE apper
tanning as it essentially did, 10 the first construction OF
the canal this class of officers, we'll as the remain
ing members of the corps of was placed un
der the instructions of The chief engineer Under tins
combined arrangement, the various jobs constituting
the two classes of work in the first grand division,
made Simultaneous progress and attained 10 the compile
ton al different periods of the year.
In the month of July, the water was Jet upon the
line between the Seven Islands and Boshers DAM III
August, upon The part between Joshuas falls dam and
the Tye feeder; and in September, upon the Por
ton between Tyc river and the Seven Islands as wen
as upon that between Lynehburo and the Outfa locks