The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1854-03-02
The Canal.

The Canal. o..
Although the following letter wds not in !
tended for publication, yet we have taken the
liberty of inserting it, as it is Of public inte-
rest.
TERRE HAuTE, Feb. %. 1854.
FRIEND SAKDERs:-I notice an article in
your paper, in regard TO the canal, under the
caption OF "Something Wrong" am not
surprised that there should be some disap-
pointment at Evansville in the results OF the
canal. but think as yet, the officers in charge
OF 1t are not justly censurable for the failure.
In the first place during the last season.
there were 30 many breaches in the heavy
embankments between Petersburg and Mays
vile, that no power on earth could have Kept
the canal in orier. We would scarcely get
tolerable supply of water below Peters
burg, before a breach would occur, cutting
of the source of supply and suspendlng ma
vigation. Thus things went on until the
canal was frozen up in the winter. After the
canal was sufficiently cleared OF ice to allow
boats TO come up to Petersburg, the water
was let in and would have been quickly re.
gulated but for the unwe rrantable interior
ence of the boatmen. FIRST, Mr.. Paul Down
ing, in order to break the ice on level be.
tween Maysville and Newberry, opened one
Of the waste weirs, and before the superin-
tendent ascertained the fact and could arrest
it, the level was nearly Drawn down. or
course it took several days to Oil up this lev
ell and pass on supply Of water to the Pc
tersburg level. Next, Mr.. Ruggles, in go
inc down with q load Of pork from Peters
burg, left open the first lock he passed
through, and again there was an interruF-
ton of navigation. You will say "that is
just what we complain Of; why don't your
lock tenders do their duty and see that the
locks are kept shut" You are not perhaps
aware that We do not keep lock tenders on
the canal, either North or South of Terre
Haute. Neither are there lock tenders on
the Ohio or Miami canals. The business has
never justified it. If boatmen are so unrea-
sonab BILE and wicked as to wantonly obstruct
the navigator of the canal, we must int1ict
the penalties Of the law. But should hope,
that after we once get things regulated
again, they will see their own interest in do
| ing all in their power to assist US, rather than
increase our difficulties. | know the canal
has been in bad order, and its navigation has
been a source of vexation and trouble, result
| ing IN no profit to the boaimen. | hope you
and they will be assured that this is deeply
regretted by the officers OF the canal. But
tue trouble has arisen u ainly from causes
beyond our control. We could not give the
canal full supply of water last fall in con-
sequence OF the hazardous condition of the
embankments about Petersburg. We could
not prevent its freezing up, and We shall not
I fear, be able to stop the opening of waste
| uoir, nd dro mi of M OF at tho locks IN.
til we catch the delinquents at it, and fine
them severely. You remark that threaten
ed breach at Petersburg was "repaired by
the people," We ure thankful for intorma.
ton given that may prevent breaches in the
canal, but am not aware that the good spec
pie" along the canal ever aided us in stop
ping and repairing breach without being
hired therefor and FULLY compensated.
Just at this time regret your remarks in
lycur paper, for We are reually doing all in Oul
power TO put The canalin good order. think
if you had waited few weeks the trouble
would have mainly ceased. At any rate
cannot think your article will do any good.
write you this privately, not for publca'
cation, for your own information. greatly
desire you will have reason to notice the ca
nal more favorably after little.
Yours truly, WIN ]. BALL.
We are sincerely glad to hear that every
thing is being done to put the canal in order
Mr.. Ball may be right in thinking five hat
waited few weeks the trouble would main y
have ceased-but ne must recollect we have
already been waiting good many month
and the prospect has by no means been less
ened. Again, we think from Mr.. Balls owr
letter, our editorial has been instrumental in
calling particular attention to this subject
and therefore has already done good. We
have full and entire confidence in Mr.. Bali
and sincerely hope he will give his persona
attention to the lower end of the canal.
Ed. JOURNAL.