Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1859-01-21
SALE OF THE PUBLno wonKs.

10 relation to the salo Of the
Public works. His desire in this paEticu-
lar is commeudable, and iiwhat every right
minded man in his position ought to feel in
relation TO a subject Of 50 much importance.
Whether the people of our county will
take measures to express anything like a
general desire on the subject, or whether
they arc prepared to decide judiciously, by
having carefully considered all the facts,
and all the present and future bearings of
tho subject upon tho welfare of tho State, l
know not.
It is frequently said that tho Public
Works ought to be sold; but probably this
idea is occasioned in most minds by the
large amount Of taxes we have to pay, and
the peculations and want of economy that
those having charge Of the Public Works
are sometimes charged with. 1t is certainly
matter of deep regret, and some discour-
agoment, that these great public improve
ments should fail to yield an income equal
to the expenditure for superiutendence and
repairs. But ia il certain that this condi-
ton of things will always continued
The longer canal is continued, the
more settled and firm its banks will
become, and the mason work for locks and
eulverts, if defective at 6rst, are made per
manent and durable by the first and sec
ond repairs, so that the necessary expense
for repairs will become less and less
Again, If officials have defraudod the peo,
pie by squandering their money, may We
not hope that others may bo chosen or ap
pointed who will regard tho principle Of
honor and honesty more than that ofavaricc
and speculation
But the inquiry, whether the canals can
ever so compete with the railroads as tc
render them profitable or even self-support
ing is not so easily disposed Of Yet there
are somo considerations which, if they dc
not constitute satisfactory data for fna
decision, ought to modify our views some
what when we arc disposed to look upoI
the canals as burden which the State
ought to get rid of.
With the lapse of tim0 and increase 0
population, the agricultural, mineral nnc
manufactured products of tho country mus
double or treble what they now are, anC
the business of transportation increase il
the same proportion. This business ma
be shared by railroads as well as the canals
but while tho expenses Of repairs are dimin
ishcd by time and the use of the canals
they are greatly augmented on tho railroads
Again, most if not all of tho railroads ar
under very heavy debts or liabilities; the,
are all subject to an unceasing heavy ex
pense for frequent relays of tho entire tim
bers of tho road, for continual repair of rails
for wear and tear Of rolling property, anc
for salaries of the great number of hand
that must always be employed, so that
docs not seem probable that the railroad
now in opporation and in progress of build
ing, can long be sustained without essential
ly increasing their rates of charges.
Again, there is no way of transportin,
the produce of the country so safe as by cf
nal; this is an important item when cor
trasted with the loss and destruction
property by railroad accidents.
Again, water furnishes the chenpo
mode of transportation that we know Of, an
although heavy original outlay must |
made TO use water in q canal, it is still ii
cheapest, as will appear to any one WI
takes into tho account tho expense of r
repairs, the wear and tear Of machinery 81
The risk ofproperty.
In reply to the above, it may be sal
these canals do not directly benefit on
those portions of the State that are cont
uous to them and it is not right TO bril-
the whole State under contribution to SUI
port these canals for the benefit of the fe
But the canals have been the means
a more full and rapid development of larl
portions Of country along their route, and
bringing a large amount of property und
taxation, rs well as essentially increasi
the commercial interests of important pc
tions of the State, and in fact of the who
State.
}. 1t may be further answered, that if t
canals are sold, it will be under such spec
arrangements and restrictions that, while
relieves the State of at least part of
debt, will secure to the people the contir
alton of all the essential advantages n
derived from them.
This expectation might be realized ifp
chasers could be found who could or wol
= give sufficient security for tho performar
of such stipulations. But if the State
Ohio, with all its influence, and wisdo
cannot manage the canals 50 that they y
not DO burden, can We expect that a
company Of men will buy this property
eE at a small part of its cost, and
bound to continue it in good order, wi
out materially changing the rates Of