Daily Richmond times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1849-1850, 1850-09-27
COMMERCE. OF THE ERIE CANAL.
Increase of Business and Rcuenns from tie Erie
Canal under the reduced rates Of tolls.

Increase OF bUStteSS 8H1 ncDeHhS JIoH' t"e Affe
Canal under the reduced rates Of tolls
"JJp business as compared with that of last year
shows decrease in the weight OF furniture, iron ware
domestic salt and coffee while the quantity of every
other article enumerated has largely Increased Sc
parate kept this year OF Castings ana IRON
ware-which were last year classed together-aso OF
IRON railroad iron and STEEL which heretofore have
been mingled together. ,
"Oproperty passing east the increase has been 10 the
Ter SCI 1855 lbs Flour 1874 ,457 lbs, Wheat 02 1872
bu Corn 1875 1853 bu domestic spirits 63,6oo gallons,
sundres 2275 957 lbs, while OF every other article
enumerated the increase has been very heavy.
The decrease in flour and grain may be justly attrl-
buted to the failure of the crop last year. Mr..
Barton recommends that hereafter the tolls be kept
down 10 the very 10 west possible point Ia order TO COM
pete with other routes AS lar as the west concern
ed it is fact that they will send Their produce by the
cheapest route, although it passes through foreign
Province.
"Tbe ascending tonnage on the light and heavy mer-
chandze much greater this year than any other since
the construction OF the canal. In lS4S there was the
largest amount OF heavy goods received here by canal
of any year, being 64,34664l pounds In lS49 the
quantity fell off 565e0,9l9 pounds while this year,
has already been received "A 49l 1863 pounds, and the
whole fa supply for the Western part OF our own State,
and the Western States is yet to come iorward."
The results these figures show that the business and
revenue of the canal for that portion OF the which
has passed. but be gratifying to the canal board
and direct their attention more earnestly to securing
vet greater share oil the Western trade Ihe feasona-
bic and probable result of the years business will be-
increase IN the revenue Of $4,000 to 100000 at the
same relieving the public from paying an unnecessary
tax of more than 500 900 for using the Erie canal.
The amount in value of the property which will this
year pass through on the Erie canal will reach the i'm
mense amount Of sixty millions of dollars An amount
of trade certainly worth cherishing; and which, by
iudicous and liberal regulations may be increased
every succeeding year, until reaches amount pass
ing all reasonable comprehension.
Under The present rapid growth OF the eounty--its
immense resourcesthe unprecedented increase OF the
business Of the great West and the absolute necessity
OF some great channel for the transportation OF its pro-
ducts, Mr., Barton urges such reduction OF State
charges on property as will secure beyond all COMPETE
ton this business Tor the Erie canal The State charge
beng A monopoly, should not exceed what the citizen
gets Tor doing the business, with him competition Is
open 10 every one This year the State charge about
70 ce ns per so lbs heavy and light goods and two
cenls per mile on small boats while the torwarder
ceives about Is cents. This consideration is of
great Importance al the present time, when new routes
for the transportation OF merchandise and produce are
being daily opened in competition with the Cana, and
demands the serious attention OF the Canal Board.
-" As il was an important consideration with the
Board in reducing the rates OF toll 10 secure the reve-
nue. from loss becomes desirable the LIST OF Sep
TENDER to see how the matter stands II this respect.
The result shows that the tolls collected on all the
State canals reach the sum OF 81 666 496 55 agalnst
Sos OS2 80 in lS49 giving gain this year OF $si4
"a