Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1858-09-27
Potomac Aqueducr--CoaI Trade.


To the Citizens IF 1'erandr'a:
|; is very unfortunate for tue interests of
our people that there should be at this time
any difference of opinion on the subject Of
repairing the Potomac Aqueduct. | was
very much gratifed to learn from the report
Of the Eogneer in charge Of the work, that
with certain repairs named therein, the
Aqueduct would last probably from three to
Eve years longer. But while his report re-
moved in some measure my anxiety in regard
to its present condition, it also impressed me
with the importance Of prompt action being
taken to renew the superstructure as soon as
possible. The work ought not to be delayed
until the trunk is ready to tumble down.
The renewal of the wood work should COM
mepce certainly in one year FROM this time,
and continue every successive winter, until
the entire structure shall be completed.
The citizens of Alexandria seem not to be
awake to the present magnitude of their
coal trade, and OF its great value TO this com
mainly. will venture the assertion land | do
so without desire to draw inVldious COMPARE
sons) that the value of the coal trade at this
moment to Alexandria, is greater than the
combined traffic OF both Of our Railroads
Is this community aware of the fact, that the
receipts of coal here, now average daily
more than 5000 tons, or 10000 per week,
and that when the Dams 4 and 5 on the
Chesapeake and Ohio Canal shall be COM
peted and the entire line put isto thorough
repair, as it certainly will be next season,
that we may reasonably expect to receive
here without interruption to Canal naViga
tion) 1000 900 Tons Of Coal during the
year 1889? Yet such is the fact. Look at our
Marine report that tells the story plainly
enough. There are three hundred men daily
employed at our coal wbare', many Of them
supporting families, and all Of them spending
their wages in this community. There are
about twenty five Canal Boats arriving here
/ daily, when the Canal IS in order, each Boat
having on board from four to five persons,
making the daily aggregate about 100 con-
/ sumers added daily to our population, (tor
the B,atmen lay 10 their supplies OF this end
because they can buy here cheaper than IN
! Cnmberand) besides the crews o! the numer'
Gus vessels employed 10 carrying coal tO
Eastern ports.
1t would require 400 cars, each bringing
seven and half tons 1.-THE usual weight al
| lowed to each carl and arriving here daily
to bring to our Port as much coal As Is now
brought here by Canal Boats What would
not be said or written in praise OF our Road
did they perform such work? II would be
trumpeted forth in every direction; yet the
work is actually performed. quietly aud ur.,
ostcntatiousl7, ty our Canal, under our very
noses, aud ye; there seems to be an apparent
apathy and want of interes, 10 this great
work, which to ME is altogether unaccounta'
te.
speak knowingly when | tell the people
OF AL, Xandra, that unless they move Or mrtiy
and decidedly in the matter of repairing !be
! Potomac Aqueduct, there is danger, very
great dagger, that the coal trade " II be dl.
verted from Us to neighb0rng Port, and
that soon. Let ne tell them that now the
| Cunard steamers aud many Of our largest
consumers, are being supplied IRON that
| Port that vessels are chartered aud loaded
! there with as much, if not greater facility
! than here and that eli Drts, OF the most
| powerful nature, are being made 10 induce
! the Coal Companies to locate their sbIpping
! wbarses there; and that those efforts Will
prove successful unless Alexandra speaks
out now, at once, and gives those Companle.
assurance that the Aqucduct shall be repaired
promptly. We cannot afford to wait the un-
certain action of Congress. /. is almost GER
! tain that we should receive nothing from
that source. The National Treasury Is emp
! ". We must put our own shoulder to the
| wheel if We desire to keep the trade. Can
we afford 10 lose il? L. not Alexandria now
! labo-iug under the pressure OF taxation, IN
Cured Voluntarily l not say cheerful
| lv-with a view to secure this trad'' Ana
shall we, just as the prize is within our
grasp-iust as the fruit is ripe and ready to
fall into COR laps--fail 10 mako a last but
crowning effort By which our destiny as a
great coal mart shall be firmly estabIished?
| have too much confidence in the iute!l-
gence and enterprise of Alexandrlaus, to
believe that they would pursue course so
suicidal.
LIE, this important work then be dscon-
nected with any Railroad schemes whatever.
L"tits interests not be jeopardized by the con-
Il citing opinions and interests ct the friends o!
such K sds desire to see the Railroads pros
per aud progress. am stockholder 10 all ot
them except the Alexandria and Washing
ton Road, and can therefore have no selfish
OIL ect IN view, in making these remark-.--
My great desire, and sole object Is to call the
attention of our people to The importance OF
trade they seem most strangely TO have
overlooked. and TO AK them to act promptly
10 giving such assurances to the various Coal
Companies who desire to locate here, thai
the Aqueduct shall he at once and perma
nentiy reb,aH, as will induce them TO spend
their money here in the erection OF whsrve1,
and other necessary facilities for shipping
coal and thus become identified with Us.
A SHIPPER.
COMMUNICATED.
TURSEY Cock HILL September 25-Tbe