Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1842-11-26
For VINO.
JAMES RIVER AND KANAWHA COMPANY

propose bringing to the notice of the citizens of the
State OF Virginia, and more particularly the of tho
Stockholders OF this Company, its management from the
commencement of the Canal to the present time not only
with regard construction with regard nso IN M
management OF its financial concerns. In this attempt
nn not prompted by any hostile feelings towards the Prcs
dent of the Directors but as n
and citizen, who welfare and prosperv NJ
his State am urged to this exposition Every citizen of V
gina greatly interested because of the great interest which
the State bears this work. Herstock and liabilities together
amount nearly about to the Of 5000 0O0 and i'm ndd
ton TO this, the interest which her citizens have in connie
ing H. at lehsi TO the Valley country For the above
have considered il my duty call the attention of the
Stockholders and citizens generally Of this Commonwealth
10 the uniness Of the gentleman who guides and pesdes
over the destnes OF this Company for the Office he holds
do not deny that this officer has zeal energy and general
intelligence and deserves great credit for his excrtions 10
bring this Company into exstence but do DENY his cnpa
cly hrs htness rather TO carry this great work. am
friendly TO the Canal and with success and would be
delighted the hnucipaiions yes, and the very promises
OF the President the People, that if they would i,ke
Stock, they would be benefited both az St,ckhoders md
ms citizens, could be realized, but sorry to saw tha
IN my belief under its present bad management il will ne
vor be completed far as North River | ran 400
no earthly chance for II.
Ii appears that wasteul system was adopted at its
commencement, and that the wnstefu system has
been continued up to this tmclst in the very uuneces
sary number Of Engineers. The Directors az first appoin
ed Principal Engineer and Principal Assisting Engineer
and Assisting Engineers. The Of so many grades Of
Engineers, never could discover IL aways appeared 10
tut Principal Engineer with Assistant engineers
were all that could be possibly required aud having ano
Their grade only served to divide the responsibility and
doubtless Of the Of the imperfect manner
after which, much Of the work of the Canal was done
But even these three grades did Suffice and the second
year another officer, nj high salary, employed as
consulting Engineer, and subsequently map drawing En-
gnoer This system Of extravaganza is still continued and
carried out in the Superintendent TIero is n Principal
Superintendent, three Principal Assisting Supcrinendants
and Overscers aud the extravaganza is CHARACTERIZED
N vnrous other departments The selection Of Engineer.
- the next out hud with the Directory Judpo Wright
appointed Principal Engineer in 1896 and resigned his
appointment IN 1896 the ground Of his inability arising
rom ms advanced nge, and Mr.. Charles Elicit wns an
pointed Chief Engineer in Judge virgins place Mr. H.
was young gentleman Of great PROMISE yet lac certainly
dd not have the necessary experience when appointed
uis important Office, which requisites "bu any how
after he had acted Chief Engineer about three years and
had acquired NIL the necessary experience which he want
ed when he was FIRST appointed make him capable Of
performing the duties Of his office he was then and not
reelected in 1892 Notwithstanding his advanced age and
bOuiy niirmily his only reasons for rosgnng in
1880 ask u this, in the nnme Of common sense, be
considered wise course Of policy when, this Tine IA
miles Of the Canal in length required all the attention which
man IN the prime Of life could have given and yet Chief
Engineer was elected TO discharge this duty who
had three previous resigned this office because Of his
inability TO perform the duties of the office arising from his
advanced age.
The Asssian, Engineers were generally selected from
young gcntemen just from College, who Of course could
have practical knowledge Of their profession; and al
though few Of them have obtained cminonce yet thoy
had 10 lean after they entered upon their duties and hcr
learning was no doubt very expensive to the work. Now
ask il 1t wise make such selections and am GER
tain That the manner IN which the work done answers
no.
Having touched upon tho number and selection Of En
neer will proceed point many Of the defects
OF tho Canal, and unwise management Of the Directors
But may be answered DO you blame the President for
tho defective construction Of tho Canal ," Certainly do
for what purpose did you appoint him President and give
him S3O0Osaary Wss t that he mi ht take the chair at the
meeting Of the Direcio and act a. Inc head Of burosu
and s the officers do and report what hoy pleased Cor