The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1860-02-06
The virginia water .L,ne.

James River and Kanawha Water Line, which
is TO unite the Chesapeake with the Ohio and
the Mississippi and all their navtGahie tftou-
taries--nay, with the Lakes. The vaet con-
sequences Of each . eoanection -of she grand
arteries Of the middle section OF THIS Union
with the vast finland seas OF the West and
| North--of plkcing In intimate communication
| and mutual commercial in tercourse, the -four
| ishins cities which are located upon these no.
bic waters--thexe grand features Of our coun-
| try which must have such power over its fate
are incalculable. The object of the final accom-
| pIishment Of this great Undertaking is at this
time the most important, as well a. the grand
| est, which can occupy the public mind, most
assuredly, of Virginia. and, we believe, Of all
the middle States Of this Union.
This great enterprise has fingered and drag
ged along with painful tediousness. 1t has
encountered all sorts of obstacles and is now
in It's incomplete state, burthened with Obli-
cations to the Commonwealth that absorb all
it's means and deprive it of the resources me-
cessary for the ordinary repair Of its works,
some of which are in a most critical condition,
demanding immediate attention to prevent
their utter destruction. Instead, therefore.
| of providing means for the prosecution Of an
enterprise Of such national importance, the
company is left without resources to repair
| the damages of ordinary decay, and this mo-
ment the line is threatened with the suspen-
sion ofcommunica;ion upon it for months, by
| the destruc ton OF Some Of its works, which
are in dilapidated and critical condition.
In order to enable it TO couuteract the ordi-
nary tendency OF the work TO decay, and to
make some Roadway with its enterprise, the
company have for several years petitioned the
Legislature to convert the debt due the State
into stock. under an act increasing its capital.
| A bill has been reported, and is to be consid-
cred possibly to-day in one branch of the Lee
gslature The proposition is one that is both
reasonable and practicable. Should the State
continue to drain the resources of the COM
pany to pay the interest on the debt due to the
Commonwealth, the line, for the want OF means
TO repair it, must soon cease to be navigable,
and then there will be no money even to pay a
part of that interest. Besides, the State i'm
posed unjust burthens upon the company in
its inception-especially the saddling Of it
with the annuity TO the old James River Com
pany-which entities it to no little forbearance
now, upon a mere question of ordinary fair
ness. Independent, however, of the impor-
lance of this water communication with the
West, and Of the unjust burthens, in the be-
ginning, imposed upon it, the simplest princi-
pie of policy urges upon the Legislature the
conversion Of the State debt due by the COM
pany in to stock, as the only means now prac-
ticable of preventing n suspension of all
transportation upon their canal. Is the State
any better of, having the interest upon the
canal debt to pay, and that improvement a
mere useless ditch, unable to pass a canal
boat, than it will be with the in terest to pay
and the canal i'll active operation, furnishing,
as far rs it goes, the best and safest medium OF
transportation to the products of the country,
and imulatng its development and pros
perity There should be no two minds on the
subject. Wecannot see how the legislators OF
the State can hesitate, unless it be tina: they
are determined that a work which has been the
object of the deepest interest with the greatest
men that ever lived in Virginia is of no value,
and must be abandoned altogether. If that
be the determination, it ought to be known
It is indeed time that something decisive
should be done with regard to this improve.
ment.
The passage of the bill will put a new and
encouraging face upon the affairs Of the CON-
pnny and give new stimulus to all the inter-
ests which are relying upon its prosecution
for their advancement. The authority to in-
crease the capital of the company to twenty
five millions OF dollars, may, moreover. be the
means of effecting an arrangement with the
French company of moneyed men, who have
given Il great deal of attention OF late to the
commerce of Virginia her public works, and
especially to this water line communication
with the West, rs an invaluable continuation
of the commercial project which they have
conceived, starting from the River Loire, and
the most favorable ports in France and con-
Meeting with our Chesapeake and James River.
What is the extent of the means, and what
the strength of purpose of these intelligent
French gentlemen, remains to be seen but the
friends Of the work which has for years been
40 completely neglected by the State, may web
entertain propositions from strangers and
hope for something from them, however I'M
certain they may be. The reasons why our
French friends may venture their means upon
this i'm portant water communication, between
very potent. If their means are as plenty as
the reasons which urge their investment in
this project are forcible, there would be little
doubt that they would embark in it heartily
and complete it promptly.
But the proposition from beyond the water
aside, the State cannot do better than convert
the debt Of the company into stock. 1t cannot
be injured by it. and it will be the means of
starting the work once more, and certainly
will enable The company to conduct the opera
tons of the present canal with greater energy
aud success.
"