Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1858-12-10
FIR the Ea1nirer.
IW t't< L@FFJ '''TN''
IMPROVEMENT OF THE KANAwHA RIVER.

IMPROVEMENT OF TIE KANAwHA RIVER.
We propose, at an carly day, to offer some
comments upon the report recently submitted
by Mr.. Eliot, to the James River and hanawhs
Company on his plan for improving the naT'ga-
ton of tho Kanawha, and incidentally Of the
Ohio river, by means Of artificial lakes.
We cannot appropriate either the time or the
space Just now, properly " discuss that i'm
portant subject
There is, however, one suggestion in the re-
port OH which VIC may even at this time, press
cd as we arc, offer our opinion. We alludc to
the recommendation that an application Shall
be made to Congress to rcmuncratc the cxpeh-
ses which the Company may incur IN impro'-
ing the Ohio River. Without intending 10 ao'o-
cate OF favor the proposition, we will endeasof
in Justice to the author and to the Company 10
set forth the grounds Of tho recommendation
The Company, it is alleged, will be comPeil-
cd, if they improve the kanawha River ON the
plan submitted by Mr.. Ellet to improve the
Ohio River also to n much greater extent The
proposed plan of Improvement is, as our read
crs arc probably aware, TO form one or more
lakes on the tributaries Of the kanawha,
bv constructing dams across narrow pass
es, in suitable locations and allowing
tho winter waters Of mountain streams to
accumulate in the valleys above the dams. until
they are needed to replcnish the failing navi-
CATION Of the Kanawha. Then, in the summer
and fall. to draw off the water thus stored, ana
allow it to be discharged rapidly into the chai-
mel Of the river Of which the navigation Is 10
be improvcd-in this case, the kahawha But
the total navigable length Of the hanawha,
when thus improved, viii only be about ninety
miles; while the water which it is proposed to
pour into its channel, will pass on, according to
Mr. Elcts demonstrations, into the ONO, ana
flow more than 700 miles down the channe! OF
that river, improving its navigation all inc
way to the Mississippi and benctittins
the Mississippi also in very perccptible
degree below the mouth OF the Ohlo.
He maintains, moreover, and demonstrates his
position by figures which we do not intend to
contest, that the single artificial lake which he
proposes to form on the head waters Of Mea-
dow River, will not only greatly relieve the ma
vsation of the Kanawha over space OF 20
miles, and the Ohio over space Of 700 miles,
and affect the height even Of the Mississippi,
but that it will serve also, to an appreciable ex-
tent, to mitigate the floods in all those streams
These great results are claimed US inevitable
consequences of an improvement designed prl'
marily to promote u local interest. The osten-
sible object Of the proposed Improvement
is to benefit the interests on the Kanawha;
but its incidental effects will be to benefit
the country at large immeaSurably more
than it will benefit the peculiar interest for
which it is designed.
Hence, it is very plausibly alleged by the
author, that this is case where the company
proposing to make the Improvement, have
right to ask for national rccompense, in case
they accomplish what they claim TO be able
to do
They do not propose 10 ask Congress to enter
upon the Territory Of Virginia and take pos
session Of soil here, and convert it into lake,
or..any such thing.
They do not propose to ask for an appropria-
ton in advance Of the construction Of an im-
provcncnt to be let out in jobs, in tho usual
style.
They simply propose to say to Congress
I'VE wish to make an improvement which will
be valuable to a portion Of Virginia, but vastly
more valuable to the other States in the
Mississippi Valley, than to Virginia. We
submit full exhibit Of our plans and cx-
pcctations If Congress thinks that what
We propose to do, will, when done, be worth
the sum to the nation which we ask for doing
it, VIC will take all the risk, and advance the
money, and wait for our rccompcnsc until our
work is accomplished.
I'VE obtain our powers from the Legislature
of Virginia; We arc clothed by that Legislature
with the ability to contract; and thus qualified,
we offer to produce navigation 81 feet deep,
during low water. on one Of the very worst
bars of the Ohio river for a period Of ten days
in every year for the gross sum Of 5000 600
to be paid when We have fulfilled our engage
,Gent.
I'VE claim that this will be a just and wise
contract, on the part Of Congress.
.lst. Because the effect which We propose to
produce is worth infinitely more than the sum
which We demand.
I'D Because We take upon ourselves all the
risk of what the country regards as an expert
mcnt, which, if it succeeds, will establish
principle of incstimablc value
sd Because the Ohio river, flowing between
numerous States, is boundary between SOW
eregn powers, no one Of which has the right
to control its waters without their common
consent.
18th. Because it is no more than sheer justice,
if this company can, by carrying out its own
purposes, in particular way, greatly advance
the public interest Of the whole country, it
should be recompcnsed for the great good it
proposes to 10. by the country.
We have thus set forth, in justice to those
who advocate this application to Congress,
what we understand to be their justification Of
that step. So much, VIC think, is due to them.
FROM WASHINGTON CITY.
Correspondence OF the baltimore sun.
WASHINGTON, December 6.
Congress meets under circumstances very
favorable for wise and deliberate legislation.