The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1848-03-02

We are graed perceive that our citizens are begin
ming take lively interest in this question of improve
ment, which must eventually result much their ad
vantage Although our corporate authorities have been
taken 10 task for their drowslness by another cores
ponden yet gives pleasure to state that consider
able interest felt by them in this improvement; and
believe they prepared to act they
be informed what plan be adopted that will be OF the
greatest advantage city. To at this eonelu-
sion if we properly informed, they have taken the
first step towards accomplishing IT,
We unders and that al late meeting OF the councils
appropriation of $500 made 10 employ an engineer TO
make survey OF the whole city canal and report the most
proper place for the terminus shipping point with the
cost &c, &c, &c. This the true pursue Let
correct survey be made of the whole line by practical
engineer who has some knowledge of canal operations,
and he will designate what part of city best adapt
ed for shipping the produce which will flow into the Dis
trlct through the Ohio and Chesapeake Canal He will
take into consideration that large basins ,carues &c.
&c, &c required for this business; and if our city
has point where there be found great natural
advantages for constructing these basins wharyes &c
he will designate it.
1t is idle to talk of making any improvements in the
river above the bridge We want point where aeinds
freSefs or f0U tides will not interfere with The naviya
ton; and knOw By actual obSerudon that there are
interruptions OF week at time in the navigation above
the Washington and Alexandra bridge. No vessel will
attempt to beat up the channel and through the
westerly winds prevailing These winds sometimes
rage for days. and the heavy eshets in river operate
IN the same manner We have the current strong
that sailing vessel could not make Roadway for a week
We have known vessels, having freight for Georgetown
and Washington to be detained at Alexandra for u
week, account of the eshes and adverse winds; in
fact, merchants have been compelled to have their
freight discharged at the latter place. and brought up
this city by steamboats, account OF these deentons
This would where hundreds of boats were
arriving daily from the INTERIOR adened with produce for
the eastern cities They would fill up every storehouse
and many of them would be detained long here the
vessels detained which could not get here. But
this would not be ALL The merchants and shippers would
not depend upon our city shipping point; and the
suit would be, that nearly the whole trade would go to
Alexandra.
We have also heard arguments against improving the
canal account OF the great expenditure of money that
will be required accomplish it-tha, it will make our
taxes enormously high &C., &C., &c. This is all idle
talk for if would take 100000 instead of 500 900 to
put the canal in complete ORDER believe every dollar
could be raised and eventually paid again. without adding
mill to present tax We satisfied that the
money be raised upon the canal with the distinct IN
Outstanding that the interest be paid from the
revenue derived from the canal alone. We do hope that
our city authorities well citizens, will press
this matter forward for consider it question of the
greatest importance to them all and to the future well
fare of Washington in commercial point, much depends
upon speedy action II.
To tile Editor of the Union.
What profound wisdom is displayed by the writer of
the article in the National lntelgencer OF yesterday,
signed "Propery Holderw What logic what sagacty
Why is it that the citizens have not perceived the
advantages-ay, the immense advanages-of the plan
proposed But first what is the propositions Why,
to open channel from the Long Bridge to the mouth
of the Tber, which competent engineer says can be
done for $12 900 and not only channel but good
channel How is this good channel to be depended upon
| xrhou tab nfn az ctr
only the steamer drawing but tn
four feet from moving from her dock beoo the bridge
nell from ascending or descending for want of sufficient
depth OF water, sometimes Tor SIX or seven consecutive
days and then to sTpe ~ upon channel which
that amount twelve months hence and the like sum
year after year. The economy of such movement is
apparent, and the advantages thereof set forth in
strong light, by property Holder who says "this
when the immense advantages to accrue to the city
from this work are taken into consideration, is mere
trfe"
While he condemns the "cut' TO the Eastern branch,
he acknowledges that its completion would make that
"a Se % ao Ba neT s
Can Property Holder" perceive any advantage &C
cruing to the State of New York from the Erie Canal
other than the increased value of property which
the canal runs Can this learned writer inform what
portion OF the immense advantages is to from
Improvement which, if successful. would debar the
expectation of revenue from work planned by wiser
heads than himself, and executed at outlay OF more
than million OF dollars Though, must confess, the
heads which permitted to go almost to ruin, the
creation of later day-coemporary with the writer
of the article referred TO-. Let me ask him, it, by an
expenditure of S6Oo0o that which is now valueess
should be made worth $1O,OoO,OOO upon which tax
of per cent he present rate OF taXaon) would be
levied, producing to the city treasury each and every
year $75 O0Ocan he by any reasoning, make out that
the city at large would be benefited therebys Again
suppose work costing $1,000 900, and yielding nothing
could by the expenditure of $50 OOo be made to pro-
duce yearly of $4,000 to the public treasury
can he by any mathematical calculation ascertain the
community at large would be benefited thereby? OF
course "Property Holder is not DESTROYS of increasing
the value OF has property lying between the Long Bridge
and Georgetown. Oh, no! God forbid that any such
motive should dictate the article referred to- So
vncng his arguments that would advise our 'drow
sy fathers" referred to by your correspondent Simpson
Property Holder" and open Streets grade and
pave no more avenues; because the value of private
property in the neghborhood would be enhanced thereby
and the owners who foolish enough to see the IN
evtabe tendency of the growth of the city, and purchase
property at nominal price, might by their udicous out
| Law of money, reapa golden harvest.
If property Holder" wishes to discuss the relative
merits of the various propositions having reference the
canal trade in fair and liberal manner he shall be graf
flied But he must bear in mind that the people will
have something to say at the next elections that they are
aware of the cost of the present city canal and cannot
afford to throw away money by the million, SO coolly
proposed in the present instance.
From Ohio Press
The Legislature of Ohio.
Resolutions passed by the two houses, yesterday
afternoon, unanimously expressing their regret at the in