Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1852-05-11
James River and Kanawha Canal


Thi. sum- of 60 we eonsider ,oeraby close
approximation to the actual debt of the State for the
assets Of the State its bank stock and stock in other i'm
proyements are abundany sufficient meOt all its abi-
incurred for plank roads, tunpkes aud all oner minor
works
Now this debt Of fourteen millions is burden upon Tue
State and upon the people, because the revenues from the
canal and the rail roads enumerated are whoiiy con-
sumed deraying their current expenses and In pushing
them forward Would they pay if completed? Will they
pay when completed and relieve the people from the
cessty Of providing for the annual interest 80 large
amounts To obtain to these questions,
be guided by experience and must look TO the his
tory OF rail roads in this State and throughout the Southern
country. Ii has been repeatedly shown that all the
finished rail roads in the State but one, are paying
more than 6 per cent. Time and again have we
been informed Of the prosperous condition OF the Geor-
ga and South Carolina roads, and of the very pro-
f.abe business which they DOING often paying more
than ten per cent We have been, and over again,
pointed the astonishing increase of both trade and ira
vel 10 the rapid augmentat OF receipts upon
rail roads each successive station has been reached in
their onward progress We have put check to emigra-
ton our lands increased in valuc and the produc-
lions of the country have increased With swelling tide
of population country rapidly filling with inhabi-
tants, and with the new energy and ACTIVITY whicn nave
been impaired agriculture, and 10 the interior COM
merce of the country have room to doubt that the
great increase OF business, upon our public works will
continue for many years to come. The average monthly
receipts of the Central road running short distance
beyond Charlottesville exceed 5000 those OF the Dan
willie road which has lately reached the Junction, be-
tween Sc 900 00O We have been informed that the
receipts upon other main roads for the short distance
they have been completed In the highest degree graft
fyng-even much greater than was anticipated As for
Canal however merciesy il has been rdiculed by its
enemies whatever ridicule they may eIpend upon
selves for expressing such opinion we have an aoid
Ing faith that that work. if extended not foot beyond
Buchanan, tie present terminus will at distant day.
having its South Side Rvanna and de-water connections
completed accommodating almost the entire heavy trade
of the great Valley of Virginia, and of the large and
important county Of Abemarls down the Rvanna canal
construction, ana receiving vast
son its tonnage the Lynchburg and Tennes
BEE shall pour into the mmeass products of south
western Virginia. and of the great valley OF the Mis-
sssippi-wil begin meet the just expectations of its
friends redeem the pledge which they have often
made that it will ultimately pay the interest the heavy
amount expended in it's construction.
If shall follow the dictates of wisdom and sound poll
Cyl furnishing great State lines The requisite
for their speedy completion relying upon the intelligence and
strong of the people sustain us think
made very clearly appear that present inerua
Improvement debt great as is will in very short time
be debt at all. We will attempt estimate los
sea- if the contrary policy shall be pursued The annual in
that debt is $3.50 S5S accurately calculated This
of will be loss the government every year.
until our works shall begin pay. But Col Towncs has
ken into the another most important e That the
annual engineering expenses the different neswhether
works shall be prosecuted with the vgor by the
help of the State shall lie allowed creep along with their
own unaded resources these expenses consisting principally
Of salaries paid the chief engineer and his assistants and
6bordnaes, will be very nearly the Here is
INT ofthem for the year 1884, compiled from official returns