Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1861-01-16
Cheeks drawn

1883. 297. .3s4 3s3,sO4 6S.73s
lSs9.. 357,s!O 363,606 5000
1885,. ...... 3Os, ,935 81, ,S99 96,e64
The estimated total cost Of our Pub
lie works at the time of their compile
tion was sl4,627 $40 70. The annu-
al average expense, beyond the in
come for the last FIVE years, has been
4 fraction less than one-half Of one per
cent. on this cost. We have then this
unfavOrabIe exhibit. We have prop
erty that cost us about fifteen millions
of dollars, and we find by five consec-
utive years experience that, instead of
its paying the interest on its cost, It's
actually running us in debt.
This is one view of the case. Let
us look at the other. Many intelli-
gent citizens urge that Public Works,
by proper system of management,
and graduation of tolls, can be made
not only selfsustaining but source
of revenue to the State. There are
many. and weighty reasons why this
should be thoroughly tested, before
we abandon these costly and inn or
tant works. large investments have
been made on the line of these works,
as is claimed under an implied pledge
upon the part of the State, that they
should be keptin permanent condition
for use. An abandonment Of the ca
nails, or their sale without sufficient
guaranty for their maintenance wo'd
be ruinous to the parties Interested
1t would depreciate the value of prop
erty to an amount exceeding the cost
of the canals.
In 1928, Congress granted nearly
half million acres of land, between
DAYTON and the mouth of the Auglaize
river for canal construction. This
was upon the condition expressed in
the deed of conveyance, "that said
canals, when completed, shall forever
remain public highways for the use Of
the Government of the United States,
free from tolls or other charge what
ever, for any property Of the o. s., or
pei sons in their service passing tbro'
the same" These lands were aceep-
ted by the State of Ohio with this con-
dition. They have been sold, and the
proceeds have been applied to the pur-
poses of the grant. If these canals
are sold. or pass out of the hands Of
the State, how is this promise to be
fulfilled to the General Government
On most of the canals, and especial
Iy on the Muskingum improvement,
there are outstanding leases of water
power by the State, for ninety-aine
years, renewable forever, and in some
Instances there are contracts in lieu OF
former grants, in perpetuity. These
contracts impose obligations on the
State that must be met. How shall
these vested rights be protected if tho
State dispose Of her interest in these
works?
Iti, urged that II the Canals are
sold they will ultimately be control
led by the Railroad Corporations Of
the State, the effect of which will be
to so diminish transportation on the
canals as to result in their virtual
abandonment; the effect of which, in
turn, would be to create such mo-
nopoly in the Railroads rs to materi-
allv increase the tariff Of transpOrta-
ton, and conflict with the well estab-
lished policy of every commercial State
to multiply rather than lessen the av-
enues of trade. Even if the support
OF canals shall impose a small tax, it is
worthy of consideration whether the
Incidental benefits to the counties not
upon or adjacent thereto, by reason OF
lesser rates OF transportation, might
not more than compensate for the tax.
There are thirty-six counties in
Ohio, on or contiguous TO orr Public
Works, leaving ftty-two counties de
pendent mainly upon rivers, lake or
railroads for their avenues to market.
The canal counties are mainly those
that were without natural outlet to Il
market. Its instructive to note their
present position in regard to popula-
ton and wealth By the census of
1860, the thirty six canal counties have
a population of 1,l53,2S6; while the
| 6ftytwo other counties have popu
lacion of ,190,137. The thirty-six Ca
nal counties have an aggregate Of
S469. .253, ,492 on the tax list. The ff-
ty-two other counties have an aS5re-
gate OF S420, ,263, ,I67.
As a large portion Of this value in
the canal counties has arisen from the
existence of the canals, 80 their de-
struction would seriously depreciate
the same, and the basis OF taxation be-
ing corruspondingly lessened, the bur-
dens of the public debt, and the ordi-
aary expenses of the government wo'd
thus be proportionally increased upon
the remaining property Of the State.
Whether a sale can be made on such
terms as will secure to the people the
full use of these public works iSa queS-
ton which addresses itselftO the care
fll consideration OF the General As
ssmbly.
The report of the Board Of Public
Works, and the Auditor of State con-
tain many facts connected with this
subject that will aid in your investi-
CATIONS. So large an interest, invol-
wing so important questions OF public
policy, aud such vast pecuniary re
suits should not be disposed OF with
out the maturest consideration. AT
ter giving the subject my earnest at
tention, | am constrained TO repeat
nv former recommendation, and sug-
gest the passage of a joint resolution
authorizing tho commission Of three
gentlemen Of large experience and ca
pacity, whose special duty 1t shall DC
TO make detailed examination OF the
entire subject, and report to the Gov
ernor at the earliest practicable perl
cd, such changes and notifications in
our canal laws, as in their judgment
may be desirable, to lessen the expen-
SOS, or to augment the income SO as at
Z f.,.t 70 ,,,,t-a tho canals sAlf-aIStltl-