Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1843-01-23

members that body and through the medium OF your
and with your permission. would beg leave call
public attention To wha,I conceive to be bera spirit
the part Of the ss-ailan,s OF these gentlemen. ..
The ability OF the President has been questioned
by his most bitter enemies for they knew well that
this charge could not have been brought with any regard
utbut the charges OF extravaganza and mismanagcmcn
have been repeatedly urged and contradicted.
Ii is known all Interested in tins work, that the present
President appointed in 1885, and Immediately theres
made by three Principal Assistant Engineers
Of that portion OF the hnc between Iynchbug and Richmond
under the immediate supen OF the distinguished
engineer Judge Wright After the surveys made and
the location decided upon the whole of the and
cmboukmeni offered for contract, which produced
competition the Contractors and equcny prices
paid for work in low that some few
Contractors necessarily compelled abandon their
work The general advance in the pce provisions and
labor in the years IS and 80 produced corresponding m
in the of the work but did approach the price
paid for work upon other Improvements OF similar chaac
then in progress other parts of the United States
reference their reports that time will make apparent
During the last year, previous the opening OF the canal
from Lynchburg to Richmond the Company compel
ed to pay from 10 to Ii per for the work
ted during that time, owing the post notes. which
werc at discount and this is justified by their
ability from the derangcd condition OF the market
negotiate loan upon favorable terms. and the pressing
necessity ut having then canal in immediate operation.
been influenced by wish that the strccsi economy should
prevail every part OF the work under their control snd
those that attribute TO them extravaganza in the manage
ment OF the work. only leave impression upon the minds
OF those better informed upon the subject gross ignorance
their part.
To show the spirit that actuaed the President and Dec
placing this work under contract the perfect fairness
OF their in this the important duty and the
impOssibity OF any result but that OF economy
TO alude the of doing The work being
advertised some time previous and the day fixed for the
cepuon the Contra the Pre-
sident and Directors, with the assistance OF their skill
full Engineers proceeded examine each proposal scpa
aey and select the for which the work could be done
at the least costhus placing OF the power Of
with the slightest regard trut) charge them with
travagance this least How this charge could
have originated am al loss imagine for, during the
progress Of the work, the complaint that the
principles OF economy that governed the Company
rey rigid and that mas started the cry
all the Little dogs Tray Blanche, Sweetheart and all
with them.
For further demonstration of the good management and
economy the President and Directors the test Of COM
be applied and Tor this purpose select the Ches
peake and Ohio Cana-It will be iound that this work will
exceed the OF the James River Canal the ratio of
from 25 1000 mile. that with such management
applied this canal would have cost between tree and
four million Of dollars than has dOne-and yet
heard that the Commissioners improvement
have been attacked with the bitterness that have
characterized the ASSISTANTS of the President and Directors
of the James River Canal and that when they possess
less claims public gratitude, for deny the merit
the President OF this canal of being its protector and
far, of its success and from the necessity OF the work.
which appears that all admit; yet has made op-
position that but direct their efforts the injury of him
who has supported it through good and evil report whose
whole energies have been devoted, both body and mind
this single object have the aurels he deserves SO
richly pucked from his brow by envous hands and this
too without full and impartial investigation OF facts 1t
is evidence OF great intellect point imaginary
faults Others; for, If il so, all of would las claims
this superior wisdom for entirely exempt from
this falling and If itself claim for the SUI
premacy OF intellect would be wise generation;
it only evidence OF WISDOM exhibits weak
OF human nature IN the present instance, amenabe
behold.
familiar with the improvement deny in this re-
spect complain be made; and from good authority
learn that defects will discover themselves an one
oi the sPnng months upon the Enc canal upon equal
length Of line, than would in the course OF 4 whole
year upon this canal and that too when II had the ndvan
OF 20 years standing, and this work but two This il
conclusive evidence in favor of the management of this
work-for is well known fact that each year adds to
the strength Of canal have, think shown by conpar
ing the of this work with another ya work progres
ing the time and which the State Is partv inter
ested that great economy have been pracsed by this
Company have made such material difference in the cos
OF construction; and also from the advantage duru
bity another work, thathe management is equally de-
serving mendatOn and thus these charges Of ex.
avagaHce and Encouragement, upon full investigation,
fall harmless TO the ground.
Of the subjects for Legislative action relieve this Com
pany from It's temporary embarrassment entertain no
doubt that they intend paying regard the report OF
the committee, formed by their desire and their
own body, 10 examine into the affairs the Comp NV
they the obvious of granting the peto
OF the committeee OF stockholders. The interest ON the
guaranteed bonds they have agreed pay by unanimous
vote; the request OF 100000 of the bonds cancelled
be returned hem and polite for the follow
ing TeasonS The post notes outstanding nmount l5O
OOO and the Company have only S3S0000 redeem them
leaving deficit OF S70,00O-when, If the Legislature will
give them the 100000 cancelled IL will leave them nm or
cess Of S3OOOO-which sum will enable them, with the
tolls received IN the time TO pay the interest due LIST
July and thus free the State the burden of taxation
to meet the engagements which they have unanimously
agreed the State has made itself liable for, and would
reputation dsayow. To avoid the necessity
again calling upon the Legislature for aid Company
have asked for permission increase the tolls upon the
Canal 60 per cent which is by means AN unreasonable
request for admitted fact that the present rate of
tolls ~ entirely low, and 1t will be more readily con-
coded that So when known that the present price
Of freight and toll does not amount at present half the
former freight alone and should hnk that least per
cent should be allowed by Of for the greater
safety Of the present navigation, should be omitted in
creased expedition Il appears the last report of the
President, that the annual and cot of repairs will
hereafter amount to about Sl70,0O0 the receipts from
tolls Csna about 80 ,O00 and from the Dock 800
900; making from all Of 900 yearly;
thus leaving nm annual deficiency Of $4,000; for which
the State Is bound by its acknowledgements. The
question then by whom this deficiency shall be paid
whether by those who daily receiving tue benefit Of the
Canal from the greatly dimDished VI transportation or
by taxing the citizens Of Virginia, indscnmnaey for this
particular section u country.
Were these be laid for the further continuation Of
the work. think reasonable objection could be made
any other time than the present. for then whole work
the good effects would be felt through oyery portion Of the
State; but Under existing circumstances is apparent 10
whom the Legislature shoud look make good ~ the
Company for benefits received An increase II 60 per cent
upon the present rate O tolls the Canal would make
o revenue Of the Company $4,000 poT than
sufficient 10 meet their engagements and with this
a. sinking fund.- appropriated for the purpose Of
ally paying of the bonds guaranteed by the State what
for the present. demands their serious confederation
the completion Of the half finished work above Iynchburg
from which insiend e receiving $4,000 per reve.
nne, on annual loss sustained Of upwards # $4,000,
from interest the expended this portion Of the
line, justified the part Of the President and Directors
rom their audsbe anxiety that this section Of country
should DERIVE benefit from Improvement they had
warmly advocated and substantially supported and borne
out in th by the acquescence the Stockholders
and appropriations f the Legislature
sntised that the application for increase Of tolls
will meet with opposition, but with what justice have
tempted 10 show. The saving Of 80 per upon Whist
was customnry before this work In operation should
be sufficient 70 satisfy oil is6res,ed ia the transportation Of
produce, and this would be the after tolls In.
creased IN the proportion desired by the Coipmitpe
have heard much and bitter opposition 10 the preei.