The Belmont chronicle, and farmers, mechanics and manufacturers advocate. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1848-1855, 1853-03-11

II will be recolected that the Miami and
Erie Canal was not open for business, through
its entire length until the month Of May last
was far advanced. The true reason for this
was the want of knowledge, skill and atten-
ton on the part Of Mr.. Alex. p. Miller the
acting Commissioner, and the selection Of a
Resident Engineer, who, notosiously had no
qualifications but political ones for the place.
The work was delayed, and had to be done
over one or more times, at great expense,
and the whole affair was disgrace to the
State. The report endeavors to shuttle the
blame upon the shoulders of the engineer
who was made scape-goat, and discharged;
and the solemnity with which the Board pro-
poses the enactment of severe penal statutes
against engineers in like. manner offending is
beautiful commentary upon it's own inef-
ficiency, and neglect of duty.
We observed, few days since, in the
New York Euening Post, letter written by
some one, evidently in the interest of the
Board of Public Works, intended apparently
to forestal public opinion in regard TO such Of
the doings of that body as could not be en-.
tirely CLOSED over in the report. The re-
ducton of tolls is spoken of as a highly sue.
cessful Democratic measure, exhibiting
strong contrast to the previous policy of the
Whig Board which preceded the present; &
the fact of the increase of trade in conse
quence of such reduction, is presented as dis
covery, for which the world is indebted tc
Democratic wisdom and acuteness. A single
intelligent glance, however, at the report be-
| coro ,,,;l ~ al Al =.
increase of business of the canals growing
out of the rapid improvement of the country
that of the Wabash and Erie having kbeer
for series of years about thrty-three pc
cent. annually. That increase in 1851 wal
sufficient to compensate for a reduction o
thirty-three per cent. in the tolls, and the ag
gregate revenues of the canals were increas
ed in about their usual proportion. In 1852
however the case is different. In few places
lines of railroad touch the lines of canal, ant
at those places there is competition in tn
carrying trade. Looking to their own in
terests, the railway companies discriminat
in their charges at. those points, and secur
more or less of the business at little NOR
than nominal rates. But the Board OF Publ
Works have taken their stand upno gred
Democratic principle, and on that great Dem
cratic principle-of which their correspon
dent to the Evening Post appears to thin
they are the first ssdiscovers-they are deter
mined to stand; and having invested abou
two hundred thousand dollars in sinkin
fund upon it already, they are disposed t
carry it out, whatever may be the effect upo
the treasury, the canals or the taxpayers.
Down went the tolls all along the lines @
canal-the ability 20 do business at thos
places where railroads come in competito
furnishing the standard; and down go tn
revenues, until, in the face of redundan
crop, season of unexampled agriculture
wealth, and an amount of transportation, il
many instances. fifty per cent. greater tha
Iever,before known; the officers OF the State ar
Iobliged to resort to subterfuges, equivocation
and concealments, to cover up the results o
policy so obviously wrong, that it needs bu
the merest novice to bring to light it
Iabsurdity Gin. Gaz.