The Ashland union. [volume] (Ashland, Ashland County, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1857-03-04
Sale of Ohio Canals.

lotn anu iOtn Vi III last, 10 oe-
fore us. The committee is composed of
Me srs. j. E. Wharton, of Massillon,
A Hughes, Philo Chamberlain and W.
I. Price, of Cleveland, and j. f. Som
ers, of Wellsville. 1t is a forcible and
clear argument against the sale Of the
public works, and in favor of their per-
feet repair. 1t is fortified by facts and
figures, which are indisputable. The
canals are about 500 miles in length,
originally costing SIS, 600 a mile, OF an
aggregate of $l2, oOo, GOO. Their in
auence upon the prosperity of the State
for many years was wonderful. They
pass through thirty-four rich and popu-
lous counties. A sale would canse a
depreciation in the lands ,lone of these
counties, q direct loss of $40 900, 0O0.
IF there has been but sixteen millions of
corn and wheat raised in these counties,
aud but Eve cents a bushel only were
added to the cost of transportation,
there will result a loss of rS500,0O in
the value, of that product only. The
people of the State must have low prices
for freight and cheap and easy access to
markets. The loss of revenue is ac-
counted for. The gross revenue in 1854
was s5Il,4l5 rs; il 1855. S46e,s3I %.
ia 1856, s427,eIS 90. The high tolls
have diverted a large portion of the
business to the rail rOads-business
which legitimately beloEgs to the canal.
The memorial says truly:
"That the falling off is not affected
by either the crops or drought, but is a
gradual and rapid decay, more rapid, too.
of tue legitimate business thaa the above
figures would indicate, because a la=ge
portion of the business of later years is
made up Of the transportation of coal
and iron ore for short distances, which
had not in former 9 lrs been articles of
or traffic. In 1858 there
were but 4,073, orc pounds of pig and
scrip iron received at Cleveland ty
canal; in 1856, 2O,9l2,3e5 pounds. In
1853 there were but II, 0GO coo pounds
of iron ore received at Massillon from
all sources; in 1856, over As, 600 900
pounds we're received by canal, besides
a nearly equal mount by rail road. In
1858 the pig and scrap iron cleared from
MassilIou was but 32,6l5 pounds, while
in 1856 there were 7,692,3l5 pounds.
cite these facts to show hat the
manufacture of iron is a new business,
grown up on the canal, aud adding to its
and revenue, while other freight
has left in consequence of its tolls aud
condition. We will call your attention
to another fact which las probably not
your observation. In 1851 there
at Cleveland by canal three mil
Iious of bushels of coal, in 1856 six mil
ions, in 1856 but FIVE mill .ons. Now.
all know that the coal business of
is steadily increasing, aud
but for the condition of the canal and
high rates of toll could not be driven
rom it. The following figure show the
of Tons of coal received by
and rail road.
1855 By CAnal,----22ljs79 tons
1856. ---lSI,452
1885. BY Rail- 96,732 tons.
1856. ---:3s,54s
VI may here remark that there in one
ira who now pay the State sig thousand
dollars annually, at 24 cts. a ton, that
'ffer to contract to pay niue thous rud
f the difficulties are rsInedied and tolls
reduced TO Id cts. There are 500, 900
lcres of mineral coal on the Ohio aud
Hooking canals, for which good markets
n Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati and
along the lower rivers ard other canals
IF the State, would be found, couli it bi
carried to tho points needed with facile-
y; but owing to the cost of transporta-
ion by the avenues that the State has
ueted, lbis article is taken from
,he bank of the canal and carried by
abroad u longer distance, to points up
III the canal. In seasons of navigatson
,1al is sent from Massi!lon to Cleveland,
from Zanesviile to Coiuu. bus and Gin
and from the min of The Hook
ing valley to either of these points ty
cheaper than by canal. This
IS no. the natural course of trade, for
-ailroads cost s35 600 a mile while ca
laIs cost but Sl5, 900; railroads are PEI
property under use-the more
are used the less the damage by
inc. Railroads are owned by men to
shom revenue on stock is the essential,
he canals are and should he by the
Whole people to whom the development
IF the country is The essential.
We contend hat the competition of
-ailroads prevent no valid excuse for tie
of business upon the canals, and
observation of the canals OF other States
lnd reasoning on our Own, teach us that
we're our canals in proper condition and
luder proper care, with moderate tolls,
construction of railroads and their
Development of our u would in
crease instead of diminish the b~usisess
on the canals. New York has clearly
the correctness of our position
in thpt State, with the five parallel
railroads, the business of the main canal
las steadily and rapidly increased. The
report for the State of New
Y ork shows the following amounts trans
over the canals of that State,
the hundreds of tons, the years
-
Years. Tons
1850 INSTRUMENTATION
1851 ------------3.7S2,0 900
1852 1868 600
1853 -------4,2s7 900
1854 ,465, 900