Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1855-09-15
WASHINGTON NEWS AND GOSSIP.
MismansSsment.-The region bordsr;

Alsnansgement. region bordering
the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal, on both
sides Of the Potomac, has hardly superior in
the United States for the successful proseeu-
ton Of improved agriculture, while its coal
mines and milling facilities are well known TO
be second to those of no other section. per-
haps, Of the world. The canal itself through
out almost Its entire length, is a model in its
way, being admitted to be in its capacity and
finish far ahead of the Erie canal. ON which so
much more business is accommodated and sue
eessfully transacted. The people interested
In lands, mines, water power, &C., tributary
TO the former canal, are, for their number.
quite as wealthy as those of the country tribu-
tary to the Erie canal. The latter has /" made,
Ito use a cant phrass) all the region of
country which is tributary to it, by the
facilities it has afforded; having added MANY
millions to the wealth of those directly or in
directly interested in its proper management
The Chesapeake and Ohio Canal. On the
other hand, with all its advantages named
above, has not, that we have ever been able
to discover, added dollar to the value of apy
farmers real estate, or enriched any one fol-
lowing the business of freighting on it, These
facts concerning the last named canal are as
well known to the business community. as
those named with reference to the other. Tbers
must, Of course, be n causs-a seriou, and
grevous one-bringing about the SO glaring
difference Of results. That cause we believe
10 be In the difference in the systems on which
the Two works are managed, respectively. The
one Is managed upon the principle tina. it is.
and should of right, be the great source of the
prosperity Of the great State of Now York;
while the other is managed to prere,at it from
becoming source Of prosperity to any ono, if
possible We do not mean to be understood
mat It's directors, elected by the individual
stockholders, are thus faithless to their trust.
but the influence ofthe Maryland board of pnb.
lle works in It's affairs is OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES.
practically, and it is designedly used to nrevent
The work from becoming rival of the great and
splendid rival Improvement which is exclusive.
y that of Maryland
This is the key to the shameful condition Of
The Canal, and, Of course TO the failure Of
enterprise and capital to net reasonable re.
turns from business upon it. The work was de.
signed to be naTigated by boats carrying I40
tons Of freight. Yet it has been long indeed
since one carrying more than 100 tons could
start down with any reasonable hope of COM
Piehng the trip so loaded The difference Of
forty tons Of freight Is sufficient to defeat al.
most all possibility of profit by freighting on
me Canai, more especially with tolls so rated
as expressly to prevent the work, as far as
possible, from competing with its rival i'm the
transportation even Of the heaviest description
OF freight Two hundred thousand dollars
properly expended, would place the work in a,
proper condition for the commencement of
profitable trade upon it. But its mauapin,
enemies, (ratherthan friends, it is understood
VIII harken to nothing like the idea of raising
the money and making the expenditure-not
they.
Another grievous evil results from placing
the canal under political influence. With every
turn Of the State (Maryiand) administration
comes change Of officers and EMPLOYEES.
tne tenure OF place en- it being party subser.
Tiency and utility-not faithful and efficient
discharge Of duties in connection with the
work We heard some time since Of n break
that occurred through the unlawful absen.e
from his post Of lock tending politician, who,
before taking himself Of for the night, in