Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1851-02-15
SIX DOLLARS PER- ANyUsg.
JAMES RIVER AND KANAWHA CANAL.
| INVESTIGATION

JAMES RIVER AND KANAWHA CANAL
INVESTIGATION
The following is synopsis of the debate in the Houst
ofDelegates on Wednesday, Mr.. Capington's reso
luton ofenquryielaye the administration OF the Jame
River and Kanawha Canal Company
Mr.. CRgToHFIELD after some preliminary remark s
read the law under which the States proxies of the
James River ard Kanawha Company were appointed
which forbids them from having any personal interest
in its stock, and which directs that they shall be appoa
ted, remote from the line of improvement.
He said that he was generally opposed to large sala-
res, increasing them but that he had assented to
this as was only restoring the salary TO its original
amount which had been voluntarily reduced by Mr.. Ca
bell to $3.50. When the last named sum the sal
airy OF the President (Mr. Chittenden) the Company
paid his travelling expenses but they subsequently
repealed that clause as they found he fixed up boat
and spent too much time on the Canal in it. He also
voted Tor an increase OF salary was necessary for
the President to live in Richmond which was very
expensive places that his abors were very heavy: tina
not dollar could be paid out without his having ex
amined the accounts and given his certificate there for
| and as he had largs and expensive family. He had
voted for Judge Mason, and he was proud Oft for he
believed Judge M. the best President that could be
| found in Virginia.
| 1t had been objected that Judge Mason still contin-
ued to practice law in Washington. In regard to this
charge he would state that he only prosecuted those suits
which ne had commenced before he employed by
the company; and even then the company rather
gamer than loser, he had while there negotiated
two very important loans for the company.
AS to the Engineer, Maj Gwynn, he said that he had
been engaged on the improvement, of Lynchburg
ll3 days, and on the RWanna improvement, As days,
that he had been absent only Is days 1 that 10 addition
he doubted moi, Would be as nuch as that of any Eng
neer any work in the United States. lit there was
fault any where in regard to the absence OF the En-
gneer it rested with the President and Directors
cordng to the OF the company he could not be
absent single day without their consent; and he had
confidence enough in them to believe that they would
not have permitted him to be absent, had his services
been necessary on the line.
Maj. Gwynn was only consulting engineer the
North Carolina Rail Road, which, has been seen.
takes up very small portion OF his time; and IT.
prevented engineers from consulting with the engi-
neers OF other lines Improvement could we expect to
obtain the services OF their engineers when desired
them!
Mr. c. then alluded to the fall OF the Judith DAM and
said that the committee OF stockholders had made their
report upon it, and he had doubt that all the facts
that could be ELECTED, were given in it,
Mr.. DARLINGTON, alter replying to the remarks OF
! the Times and euogizing his comrade in arms, the
delegate from the City Of Richmond, said that Judge
Mason had been engaged all his life in politics, and had
now been spoken OF as Vice President the United
States. While he had this gltterng spectacle dancing
before his eyes, and while he presiding over Con-
vention in Richmond, which was to reform our whole
system ofgoyenmen, can ne discharge his duties as
President ofthe James River and Kanawha Company
satisfactorily
Mr.. c. referred 10 Gen. Od;n Clay lin contrast with
Judge Mason who scarcely spent third OF his time
with his family, and he only received 81 500 per
He referred to Mr. Tunstal the President Of the Dan
vile Railroad, who had So continually reared and charg-
ed along his road to make his body almost transpa-
rent and he only received 50 900. Look at Col. Fon
tame, who was always engaged on his road, who only
received 81 500. Look at Mr. Robinson, the President
OF the Richmond, Fredericksburg and Potomac Rail-
road whose whole mind and energies were constantly
employed on his road and who only received 81 500.
Our President is the only one who had deserted his
POSTPAID to him he meant earthly disrespect.
| Major Gwynn, who had been appointed to superin-
tend the canal mad engaged his services elsewhere.
Could he attend to both duties Has he managed the
concerns OF the canal the benefit of those Interested
Is any one satisfied with the report OF the committee
| on the Judith Dam! Not one.
Immediately after his opening remarks on this subject.
his friends collected around him and sung funeral drge
over him, and told him to enjoy life while he coudon.
y wait until the gentleman from Spottsylvania should
return, and he would annhilae him He has returned,
and what has he done? Nothing but place himself be-
hind the report of the committee, with which he was
not even entirely satisfied.
Mr.. CARRNeroN here read extracts from the report
OF the committee, and commented upon them. Mr. C.
continued The gentleman from Spotsylvana said
that it my duty to point to some particular period
when those officers had been derelic in their duty Al
though this as general rule was true, yet was not
applicable to this case. The State and certain indvid
uals had appointed them to perform this duty and have
they had it completed in reasonable time! The canal
was commenced in 1886, and they have now been en-
gagged on it fifteen years, and would be two years be-
tore they would get to Buchanan. They have been en-
gagged from Lynchburg to the point they have now
reached some fortytour miles, four or five years. Did
not this delay arise from the neg ect OF these ocers
Mr. c. then jnstanced the time that other works had
been 10 the of construction and referred to the
amount Virginia had lost in her timber minerals, COAL
&c, by the delay in completing the canal
He commended that the State had annually lost $780,
600 by the cana, which had paid no interest. Quoting
from the report of the Finance Committee, who advis
ed increased taxation order sustain the credit othe
State he argued that their authority sufficient to
warrant the conclusion he had arrived at-that this was
not the time for increasing the salaries OF the officers OF
such a company.
Mr.. Johnson of Taylor tnterruptng Mr.. c. said he
in prolonging this discussion now, since the
House willing to allow him his own committee of
investg alton.
Mr.. CARRNsToN, continuing, said he wished the peo-
pie to know the facts.
Some conversation here ensued between Messrs.
JOHNSON, ToMpKlNs and CARRINGToN as to the expedi-
ency OF continuing the discussion.
MIR. G. continued Atthe last meeting OF the stock
holders the proposition to reduce the tolls was defeated
Judge Mason expressing decided opposIlon to the
measures; yet in spite OF this when the affairs OF the
company could not stand reduction OF tolls, his own
salary increased. 1t was there argued that the
gentlemen who had guaranteed the bonds OF the COM
pany tor completing the canal to Buchanan might sui
fer by reduction. Mr. g. referred TO Messrs. j. X.
Anderson and J. T. Anderson, who guaranteed TO a
larger amount than any one else, and who were warm
advocates OF the reduction.
Comparing the cost OF this canal with that Of the Erie
canal he said it was four to one in favor OF the latter
The Erie completed in eight years and four months
its length 10 miles less than the distance from here
the falls ofthe Kanawha. Yet this canal was not fin
shed, and it doubtful if ever would be. The En-
gineer should give his exclusive attention to the WORK,
and should receive a good salary. He now received
$3000-nearly as much as the Governor. He should
be required to give his whole time the canal. Mr.
c. concluded by describing the enthusiasm which the
mountain boys would feel il they should hear the
horn upon the canal boats. 1t would be to them like
the Archangel GabriePs trumpet
Mr.. WHEELER argued against the appointment oil a
committee, and commented upon the course OF the
gentleman from Botetourt That gentleman should
have waited tor facts before he charged his artillery
against the Company. He had undertaken to inform
the country of the state things existing, and, ii
rect there was no necessity tor committee. Mr.. W.
said he could not believe that men who had passed
long lie of integrity would suddenly turn knaves and
scamps.
Mr. DARLINGTON discaimed any reflection upon the
personal character of the officers.
Mr.. WHEELER said he had seen much Of this custom
ofdamning with faint praise. The gentleman, whilst
charging seriously upon Judge Mason, had said many
kind things OF hm-that ne was ga worthy, good old
gentleman" &C., &c.-but that he had deserted his
Dost Now what could be considered worse to an hon.