The Evansville journal. (Evansville, Ind.) 1834-184?, 1844-04-18
WABASH AND OHIO CANAL.

1t has been frequently stated that the Ca
nal will afford the means of paying the in
terest ofthe debt of Indiana; and some have
even ventured to assert that, besides the in
terest, it would give something considerable
towards paying off the principal; but none,
as far as we have seen, have given any data
from which the people might be able to form
an opinion of what could really be accom-
plished in this way. We have bestowed up
on the subjects good deal of attention, and
have made some calculations in regard to it,
which have produced results so very extra
ordinary, that it is with considerable diff
dence We now lay them before the public.
We will state, however, as'explicitly as we
can, the grounds upon which we have
made those calculations, so that every one
indne for himselfhnW far thev4areLen-
titled TO consideration or credit.
In our country, where the exertions of all,
or nearly all. are constantly in requisition
either in Agricultural, Mechanical, or Mer-
camille pursuits, with the necessary appen-
dages of Divinity, Law and Medicine, it is
manifest that the internal of the
Union must be in proportion to the popula-
ton; and, in fact, there is 10 criterion by
which we can judge, with any degree Of
accuracy, of the amount of business that
may be done upon any projected thorough
fare, but by the extent of population tc
which it will become the medium of inter.
course; and, ifa portion of such thoroughfare
should be successfully put in operation, we
think it is beyond dispute that the proceed.
of the said portion will be a very fair indica
ton of what would be the proceeds of The
whole. Fortunately for our purpose, thu
Wabash and Erie Canal happens TO be pre-
cisely in the situation to which this prin
ciple can be applied, and we will now pro
coed to enquire what its application wi
lead to.
Upon the supposition that the populatio
of Indiana is increasing at the same rat
which prevailed between 1880 and 1910,
must be 100000 in 1914, because in 1910
was 6S5,S66 and is doubling itself in te
years. When the Canal is completed, ii
whole extent of it, lying within the terrific
ry of Indiana, will be 374 miles; but ii
length Of that portion oft which is now
operation, namely, from the Ohio state liz
to Lafayette, is only IA miles; and in Il
year 1914, the receipts from the tolls
this portion will be at least $4,000, a
stated by MIR. Dunn, our late Treasurer
State, in his Report dated November 2
IS43. Now, if ia miles produce $12'
600, the produce of374 miles will be $3l,
G66, from the business of Indiana alor
with a population of only 100000; al
when the population becomes three million
which it will be in 1860, the proceeds wor
rise to upwards of one million of doll'
solely from our own business. When it
taken into view that the country along
canal will necessarily become settled mu
faster than other parts of the State,
should suppose that this manner of staff
the question cannot be objected to.
In the article headed "Wabash and 0
Canal,n which appeared in our paper of
9Th instant, we proved by calculation, IL
when our Canal is completed to Evansvi
it will open to the Northern and East
States, the trade and commerce of Ell