The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1846-08-29
The Miami Canal.

Loud complaints were made BY Auditor w oods,
at this place on account, as he said, OF mlsman-
agement on the Miami Canal Whig officers have
had the control of this Canal for some two years.
Hear what the "Daytou Empire" says about this
matter, and then '.judge ye:''
The water has now been in the canal for sever
al days, we understand. How long it will contin.
ue, IS extremely uncertain, it we judge from the
mismanagement of the past year. During the time
the democrats had charge of the canal, the wings
were continually croaking and finding fault. Let
us inuui and examine how it has been since It
came under the management of the whigs
During the last year the navigation OF this ca
nal has been interrupted at least fonr times as long
as for the three full years preceding the spring OF
lS45, when it went into the hands OF the wings
And we venture to assert that the State has lost
since that time, IN tolls and for REPAIRS at least
eight times as much as in the whole preceding
three years.
From 1912 to 1915, there were but three breach
es in the canal between this city and Cincinnati:
and the cost OF repairing these three breaks dtd
not exceed 81, 900. Nor did the boats lose SIM
gle trip, or the State dollar of toll in consequnce.
The whole time consumed in making these repairs
was not over ttcenfy-one days: and most OF the
time that these reI airs were making, dams were
thrown across so that the only Inconvenience SUI
breaches. During the three years, too, the boats
found little or no difficulty, in carrying sixty, sixty
five, or even seventy tons Of freight
We cannot state the number OF breaches that
have occurred since the spring OF lS45; but since
the 2lst of March last, are informed the tcdfer
has been out of the canal Serenty-One days. Sew
enty.one out Of one hundred and forty-three-just
one hafthe time!! Is it to be wondered at that
there is great dissatisfaction among merchants,
owners of boats, andthe travelling public general
"! The miIlers and machinists aong the canal,
who pay water rents to the State, are clamorous IN
their complaints, and the State revenue must SUI
fer largely by deduction to them for non-supply OF
water. So this loss is 10 be added TO the expense
Of repairs, and cleaning the canal, which must be
enormous One break near Hamilton, last sum-
mer or fall, cost we are credtably informed from
SIC, 900 to $4,000, including cuivert, &c. Then
too, is the loss of freight from the inability of boats
to carry as large loads as formerly-4o and 40 tons
freight being now carried with difficulty over some
of the levels.
It is known that within the last year, there have
been SO many breaks, so much delay, and SO much
uncertainty in the navigation Of this canal that
there Is now very little raliance placed IN It by the
community. II is also known. that instead OF APP
pointing honest and competent men as superln'
fendents, who would have attended 10 their busi-
ness, the wings have appointed two wealthy men,
who did not need it, and who have so much oil
their own private business on hand that they can
spare no time to attend to the public service.
The community have at last found out that the
canal was far better managed under the admins
tration of the "rascaiiy' democrats, than it has
been, or is likely to be under the wings. Those
concerned will do well to see that the incompe.
tent men who now neglect the affairs Of the State,
and of large class OF her citizens, may be dis
placed from the posts they disgrace. This can be
done only by electing democratic Legislature.