Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1851-01-11


the Treasury In addition to the ordinary current re-
venues, the Comproers report exhibits certain balan
ees due to the General Fund from arrears Of taxes and
other sources from which is believed the Treasury
will realize over $3.50 000 within the ensuing two years.
1t with special reference to this resource that deem
expedlent IN the present communication recommend
some appropriations for new institutions and improves
ments which are conceived to be essential to the pub
lie welfare.
The aggregate amount OF the State debt or the 3oth
day o. september last, was as follows:
Canal DeDt. SIG, III Jog Is
General Fund Debt ......... $3.50 693 80
s22, $50 sos 4s
exclusive OF the stock loaned by the State to certain
railroad corporations. 1t will appear from the report
OF the Commissioners OF the Canal Fund that the ope
rat ons OF the Sinking Fund are steadily reducing the
Canal Debt. The application Of the Canal revenues 10
the manner prescribed by the State Constitution, will
discharge the entire State debt existing the year
1853
Our Canals continue to yield rich return. The
amount received for Canal tolls, including interests
rents, &c, during the last fiscal year, 1886, 49,
TO- being small increase upon the receipts of the pre-
ceedng year. After paying all the expenses of
ntendence, collection and repairs and 81 $4,000 to the
Sinking Funds and the General Fund surplus remain
ed from the of the last fiscal year of s800206
40 applicable the completion of the Black River and
Gene e Valley Canals aud the Enlargement OF the
Erie Canal.
Previous to the last season of navigation a consider
able reduction made by the Canal Board in the
rates of toll certain leading articles Of transportation
Opinions will probably differ as to the precsa effect of
this reduction upon the trade and income of the Canals
but it is generally believed that it attracted additional
tonnage sufficient TO equaze the dmnuton of revenue.
Serious apprehensions are entertained that the trade
to the Erie canal will be impaired by the competition OF
railroads and other rival avenues in and out OF the
State unless early and efiectua measures adopt
to cheaper the expense OF canal transportation. 1t is
conceded on all hands that no material reduction can
be made in the cost of canal freight without reducing
the rates of toll, until the enlargement OF the Erie Ca
nal snail enable orwarders to increase the capacity
OF Their boats. This important object will be attained
in partial degree by the completion OF the locks
on the enlarged plan.
The reconstruction and enlargement of these struc
lures has been nearly perfected and new locks on the
large scale will be brought into the entire line
of the Erie Canal at the opening of navigation the CO.
ming season, with the exception OF five which are loca-
ted at points where the route OF the canal is to be
changed These cannot be reconstructed and made
available without the Simultaneous construction OF sew
eral miles OF channel, estimated to cost over
million OF dollars. But it is proposed to enghen the
such a manner that the entire canal may be navigated
by boats having additional length of % feet COM
pared with those now In 1t is not to be disguised,
however, that the enlargement OF the locks renders
corresponding enlargement OF tho sections more
cessary than before The quantity of water required
Tor passing boats greatly increased by The enlarged
1t is found extremely difficult and in some i'm
possible to force the necessary supply for this purpose
through the narrow channel OF the old canal. Much
difficulty and embarrassment were experienced from
this TACT, DUNG the last season OF navigation. Not
withstanding the vigorous efforts of the Commissioners
and their subordlnates, 1t was found impracticable to
sustain the necessary height OF water some OF the
long levels and it resulted that boats were frequently
grounded and the navgatos were subjected 10 iuju-
rious delays, vexaon and expense There reason to
believe THAT this embarrassment will continue to ln-
crease from year to year. until the enlargement OF the
entire canal shall have been completed.
How tar the descending tonnage can be increased,
while the canal retains Is present limited dimensions is
question which gives rise diversity of opn-
ion. All admit that we have approached very near the
maximum capacity OF the old canal during the spring
and hat in tl,o
amount OF tonnage adequate to the rapid growth of
our trade is practicable in the present condition Of our
canal navigation, cannot safely be assumed.
The future policy of the State reference to the Erie
Canal and its enlargement forms of the most mpor-
ant and difficult subjects which will occupy the attention
OF the Legislature. must ask you to enter upon its
consideration with an enliahted appreciation OF the mo-
menous interests Involved in your deliberations, and
with an earnest purpose to adopt line OF action wor-
thy OF the past riumphs OF the State in the consumma-
ton OF great designs, and in degree commensurate
with its present power and its future destiny. 1t is diff
tcult to form adequate estimate OF benefits SO vast
and varied as people have derived from the original
construction OF water communication connecting the
Atlantic with the Western Lakes. The effects OF this
great work upon the wealth, prosperity and advances
ment OF the State passed the most ardent antcpa-
tons OF its early advocates. 1t has doubled The trade
and population OF great commercial emporium; and
we but emulate the craftsmanship OF its authors by
adequately increasing its facilities, it is destined to pour
nto lap, during all future time stream OF tribute
rich aud nexhausble beyond any example in history,
ancient or modern.
Ii are wanting in the wisdom and sagacity
quired to perpeuae the advantages happily secured
no rva effort can deprive OF our constantly growing
commerce with the fertile States bordering on tile great
Lakes and the upper Mississippi. Limiting view to
the beneficial results OF the Erie Canal within
borders, witness the creation Of ourishng towns,
the growth OF cities; the conversion OF vast forests into
fruitful fields; the abode OF happy and vi uo1s y,e-
many; the profitable employment OF enterprise and ln-
dusry in every form of production, and the consequent
addition OF hundreds ofmions in value to the property
OF our citizens. 1t seems impossible that the people
should forget the OF blessings like these, or neg
ect the means necessary tor the preservation In less
than years after the completion OF the canal, its
OF its construction it that increased capa-
city must be given to 1t TO accommodate the inter-
nal commerce, of which it was the outlet.
1t sixteen years since the Legislature OF 1885,
after mature deberatlon determined TO enter upon the
enlargement OF the Erie Canal. do not propose to
eiew discuss the changing policy which has retarded
the prosecution OF the undertaking. Our responsibility
ties relate the present condition and future welfare
of the State, rather than past events which belong to
the provice of the Historian. Since the work of
| argement commenced we have expended upon it
the OF SIS 900 1881. Some OF the great objects
of this expenditure cannot be fully realized until this
work is competed. In the meantime the annual los
oil interest the amount invested at SIX per cent over
million OF dollars. 10 which must be added an an
nuul loss OF at least another million in the need ess
cost of transportation which would have been saved
by the completion OF the enlargement and these neces-
sacrifices must increase, from year TO year, with
the ardy progress OF the eXpend ure. The amount a.
ready lost under these heads be less than ten
| fifteen millions. The question then arises, how much
| longer shall this be borne2
According TO the recent estimates OF the Engi-
neer Department, it will require eleven million OF dol
lars to finish the enlargement OF the Erie canal and
81 l65 600 10 complete the Genessee Valley and Black
River Canals Ii we that the canal revenues,
f.. liz fhtffF to ha ral