Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1865-1869, 1865-12-21
views, but have independently and6y pursuing DIFF
ferent paths, arrived at the same conclusion
Z. LORRAINE,
Chief Engineer.


Respectfully submitted,
f. LORRAINE,
Chief Engineer. 4,
RIcHMoSD, December IS, 1865.
E. Lorraine, Esq, Chief Engineer J. r. d X. Co:
DEAR SIR-In accordance with the request en-
braced in the resolution of the Board of Directors OF
the l4th instant, have examined the reports of the
company for several years prior 10 1867 and nave
satisfied myself that the cost of the ordinary repairs
of the canal from the tide lock at Richmond, TO the
Water Works dam at Lynchburg, has amounted to
about $50 900 per aunum: or, calling the distance
rs miles. to about $500 per mile.
The proposals forkeep.ng that portion OF the i'm
provement aforementioned in repair for I'VE years
are follows: g..
Daniel Hustled, per annum. ....sl1l go
Z. Mcmahon. per annum. Observation-Disclosures. lbs gyl
A. McClerInan * Co., per annum- ..---..-- lO3 IL
Samuel Strong per annum. ............... ~ OOc
W. Merrield Co., per annum. ........... 6S 600
The first three are of course, rejected, as they
greatly exceed the past average cost ot repairs and
We have only to. consider those of Messrs Samuel
Strong and of Merrifield Go. Mr.. Strongs propo-
stion is to be paid the first year, sl50OOO or $50
35Oths of the entire sum; and Merriheld Co.'S is
to be paid the first year $40 600 i03iOths of the
whole sum; and each requires SoOO0O per annum
for the ensuing -four years.
Those nartirs | presume. contemplate to put the
work in thorough repair 10y of this proposed
dlrqncc and afterwards to reap the advantages, II
any, that may be derived from it. They may, or
they not cNpcnd upon TIE WOtkS llc large
sum which they propose to he advanced to them
but. should they eXpend IT, and should the remain
ing 5000 900 prove inadequate to keep the works in
repair during the ensuing four years (which think
would he the result, would they not abandon the
contract rather than continue to work at Il loss
am of opinion that, If the company can advance
the amount required Ivy Mr.. Strong, or by Merrified
Co.. to be expended during the first year, that it
should do i'll orer to put lis works in state OF
thorough repair but that its own agents would eX-
i tn MI IN orr for l nj Ia Un fhp
contractors, rs they have advantages derived from
long experience, are known 10 our people, and are
familiar with the works and their condition, and
their facilities for doing work are much greater than
those Of strangers 10 the company, ~ lis works. to
our State and u her people.
IL HAY be URGED that the present system of free
labor in Virginia is more expensive ana more diff
cult IN control than the slave labor formerly made
use of, and that on that account 1t Is necessary to
resort 10 the contract system but such IS not the
fact The average number OF days work of slave
IN the year did not exceed two hundred and thirty
and the average hire. cost of clothing board and
tax Amounted 10 $3.50, one dollar per day for
each days work performed, whilst free negro labor at
the present lime can b. procured at from eighty to
ninety cents per day
The contract system is advocated upon the ground
that it has been attended with favorable results upon
the New York Canals, but We should not overlook
the fac that those works are Of character totally
different from ours aud that they pass through a
pOpuOus and different country. fireworks OF art
on the New York Canals are perhaps inferior TO
none in the world They are OF the most durable
and substantial description, and. of conrse require
but little expenditure for annual repairs; and the
trunk of the canal is not liable TO be injured or sub
merged by freshctS and the cost of the annual re-
pains can be readily f0Yrseen and estimated whilst
the cost of annual repairs of the James River I'm
prOvement is n matter OF guess or oniecture even TO
those most familiar with its works, and with the
waters of the James River Add to this the fact that
repairs have to be made constantly throughout the
year; frequently requiring large force of hands to
be raised Suddenly, and at times when labor cannot
be procured except at very great advance in cost
whilst in New York the long winter admits of all
the repairs being made AZ time when abor is cheap
and abundant; and during the period of navigation
the contractor is man of comparative leisure, hay
ing ample time TO devote to other pursuits.
In conclusion Will remark that it is my opinion
that the CompInys agents can have the annual re-
pairs made, by workmen under them, at as low
rate, aud in more substantial and satisfactory
manner, than they can be done by contract.
Respectfully Yours, &c.
+. II. GILL, Civil Engineer.