Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1858-03-16
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THE JAMES RIVER AND KANAWHA CANAL

THE JAMES RIVER AND KANAWHA CANAL.
| Messrs. Edtors--Injustcs, think, is done MIR
| Lyons in the communication signed " Common
Sense,' published in your paper OF Tuesday last i.
s alleged that MIR. Lyons, in his etter OF the 9th o
February, to Messrs. Dsane, Lsyne and others, has
advocated the carrying OF the cans to CovingtOn and
no farther. This 10 mistake, every one who reads
the letter will see for MIR. Lyons whole argument
upon this branch OF the question, is based upon the
idea of connecting the canal at COvipgton with the
COvington and Ohio railroad in order that 'ihe frst
decisire Development Of as capacity may be eXh
bited No one can fail to perceive that DIR. Lyons
anticipates that the construction OF the railroad will
demonstrate the necessity of the continuous water
line.
Another allegation s that Mr. Lyons has stated the
cost OF the canal from Richmond TO Buchanan at
SID, ,OUODOO. This, also, is mistake. Mr.. Lyons
had before him statement appended to letter from
Col Elli. the President of the Company, published
in the " Examiner" of the 2d of February, showing
the expenditures Of ruery description, by the Com
pany, from its organization to the 3lst of December,
1857 and the aggregate does amount to nearly tn al
SUN. This is all that Mr.. Lyons intended to say; but
the cost of The canal from Richmond 10 buchanan.
including Orisinai construction. al repairs aud
iainance for 90 years, is shown by the state
ment to have been 1851 ,997 80. Taking then, the
data presented by Common Sense: II 1861 miles
give a. Sjl ,997 80 for % years, what will II miles
give Tor the same period AaSrer-$2,3j6,i57 IL
There must be, I think, some exagsration in the
difficulties suggested by Common Sense" hs to the
character of the line between Buchanan and Gov
ipgon. 1t has long been understood by those IA
msr with the affairs of the company, that the diff.
ficulties which were successfully encountered be-
tween Lynchburg and Buchanan, we're greater than
any which will be encountered upon any other part Of
the lins including even the pass OF the Allegheny
mountains. Such, at least was the often expressed
opinion OF Mr.. Csbell, Judge Wright, and Col.
GwyDn. Mr.. Lorrane's estimate for completing the
canal TO Covington s said to be below the sum stated
by Mr.. Lyons, to wit: $2,5O0,000.
As to the amount OF tonnage which will probably
enter the canal between Buchanan and Covington, /
have not sufficient information to enable me speak
with confidence but the dealers in iron, lumber and
ilne must be greatly deceived If those articles alone
would not furnish revenue enough "tO pay the lock-
keepers" On this subject, l would refer to COM
muncston addressed by the President and Directors
of the company to the committee on Roads and In.
terna Navigation OF the House Of Delegates at the
session of 1886, which, to my mind, satisfactorily
points out the tributaries OF trade upon this part OF
the line. 1t is not, however exclusively, or princi
psy, with reference 10 neghborhood trade, at any
point, that the completion OF the James River and
kanawha improvement is urged upon the Legisla
ture Our share of the trade of the great West, s
that at which We aim. No body advocates the poll.
cy of carrying the canal into the mountains, and
stopping il there, without feeder"
Common Sense knows perhaps as well as any
body else, why the tonnage from the mighty South
West is not brought to the canal at Buchanan"
But, spprehend that upon reviewing his opinions,
he will hardly make that subject of complaint
against the James River and Kanawha Company,
or urge it as reason against the adoption of the
conversion scheme." The Legislature, by making
Lynchburg, instead Of Buchanan, the terminus OF the
Virginia and Tennessee Rail Road, have had quite ss
much to do with that matter as the company.
Without attempting to review the various opinions
expressed by"Common Sense" touching the compe.
tition between rail roads and canals, invite his at.
tention to the following statement, which l have
obtained from the collector of tolls at Richmond:
"Statement shoring the cost of transportation be-.
treen the landing at Buchanan aud the Basin al
Richmond the distance being 1861 miles, on The
E,IL1riu0 articles.