Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1865-02-09
The Niagara ship Canal.

A bill has just been passed by the Ma
tional House Of Representatives by the
decisive vote OF 95 to 81, for the con-
struction OF ship canal around the |
Falls of Niagara. We notice that all
the members from Vermont voted for
the measure, and that Fernando Wood
voted in favor and Benjamin against.
The bill provides for the construction
of canal leading from some convent
ent point in the river above the falls,
around the falls, and into the river
again. Accurate surveys have been
made, and careful estimates of the cost
have been given by competent engin-
GERS; and the practicability of the
scheme is unquestionable. Its desira-
bleness also both in a commercial and
a military point of view will be readily
admitted. Some of the members from
Illinois and other Western States, en-
deayored to couple with this measure
the Illinois and Michigan Ship Canal
Bill, but not as we understand from any
feeling of opposition to the Niagara eu~
terprise, but because they thought that
their project had an equal if not para
mount claim to consideration,
The greater the facilities OF communi-
cation between the east and west, the
better it will be for the west as the
people in that region very well know,
Those which at present exist are alto
gether inadequate to the transportation
of western products. The only naviga-
BILE water communication between Lakes
Erie and Ontario, is the Welland Canal.
By the reciprocity treaty it was stipu-
lated that American and British or Pro-
viucial vessels should be admitted
through this canal at equal rates of toll !;
but by an ingenious classification of
| products and merchandise on the part of
the local authorities, it happens that
Americans have to pay twice or thrice
as much as Britishers. In case Of war,
our government at present have no ex-
peditious means Of placing war vessels
| upon the lakes. Besides the proposed
ship canal around the falls, it would
seem to be desirable that portion of the
Erie canal and the Oswego canal should
be enlarged so that vessels could be
| transferred at once from the Hudson
river to Lake Ontario, and thence by
way of the ship canal to Lake Erie and
all the lakes.
This is a national measure, and as
such would seem to be one eminently
fit" to be adopted. Even Mr.. Fernan-
do Wood remarked that although he
should not support the measure on COM
mercial grounds, yet considering the
Importance and Indispensable necessity
of having physical means of moving
armed vessels froI0one lake to another,
he thought they should pass both the
Niagara and Illinois and Michigan Ca.
nal Bills. ..s.,
Since writing the above we learn that
the House underline operation Of the
previous question, has also passed the
Illinois and Michigan Canal Bill. These
two measures will involve an expendi.
ture of at least 100000 The result
in the Senate is doubtful. The princi
pal objection win doubtless be the great
expense in the present condition of the
national finances; but if, as we believe
it can be clearly shown that the safety
and the permanent welfare of the coun
try demand it, it is to be hoped thai
the Senate will concur with the HOUSE
in the adoption Of these importan
measures.