The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1866-10-24
LOCAL MATTERS.

,,nce Company, over the National Ex-
[IanCe Bank-Coloncl Henry c. Cabsll in
the chair. e
General Taliaferro, from the Committee
of Eleven, to whom were referred the Pre-
>iacnt's report and accompanying docu-
wrnts, stated that they had been unable
thus far 10 complete their labors, and asked
leave to sit again and report to q snbse-
oaent meeting. Leave was accordingly
cganted.
Colonel Cabell, from the committee to
whom was referred the subject Of tolls,
made similar statement, accompanied by
ike request, which was granted.
On motion of Colonel Ellis, the proxy o!
,hc city Of Lynchburg, Mr.. Charles M.
Blrkiord, who had arrived, was added to
,hc Committee of Eleven, making the num-
hrr twelve.
Nr. George W. Smith offered the follow
ing resolution
Re>olred, That q committee be appointed
"a inuuirc into the expediency Of leasing
,,r term Of years the James River and
KAnawha canal, with all its rights, privi-
Icgcs, and appurtenances, and report to an
adjourned meeting.
Mr.. Grattan moved that the resolution
he referred to the Committee of Twelve.
Colonel Anderson, Of Botetourt, ad-
dressed the meeting in opposition to the
resolution. lie hoped no one seriously
contemplated such q course as that pro-
roscd. Its adoption would be ruinous to
the interests of the company. Many cir
rumstances had combined to reduce the
tonnage on the canal, prominent among
which was the fact that no crops had yet
been made along the line, with the excep-
,ion Of this years crop Of tobacco, which
was very respectable, and would be sent
forward within the next six months. The
wheat crop had taken q fine start, and
would next year furnish large amount OF
tonnage. lie begged gentlemen to bo
patient. A great change was approaching,
and within two years the company would
he upon its feet again. He dilated upon
the mineral wealth Of the country through
which it was proposed to carry the canal,
which when completed even to Covington
. would furnish tonnage enough to make the
work a success.
Mr.. Smith said that the stock Of the
company was yielding nothing, and the
lrople were sick Of it. AT all events,
there could be no harm in referring the
subject to the committee.
Mr.. Grattan renewed his motion to re.
fer. which was agreed to.
On motion of Mr.. Grattan, the meeting
then adjourned to meet again at the same
place tonight at half-past I o'clock.
ANNUAL REPORT.
The following is synopsis of the report
of the Board Of Directors for the fiscal
year ending the 30th of September, read
by the President of the James River and
KanaYha Company OH Monday night.
The repairs at the ship lock in Richmond
lave been completed in satisfactory man
ncr. Several improvements have been in
tr"uced and valuable repairs executed.
The general condition of the line OF the
canal has been decidedly improved since
the last annual meeting. Various modifi-
cations have been made in the organization
formerly existing, reducing the number OF
officers, agents, and employees, and estab.
fishing such salaries as seemed just and
proper. Among these changes was that o.
restoring the line to two divisions, for the
purpose of repair-the first, extending
from the ship-lock at Richmond to tho
waterworks dam at Lynchburg, and in
cIuding the Rivanna connection the sc
cond, extending from the water-works dan
at I.ynchburg to Buchanan, and including
the North river improvement each diyl
sion 10 be under the charge OF snperin
trndcnt Of repairs. Captain Walter u
Iurpin was appointed superintendent 0
the first division; General Armistead l.
l.ong superintendent Of the second the
whole line, however, continuing under the
supervision OF the chief engineer as acting
general superintendent. These mOdifica
tons took effect on the first Of January
Early in February the first of the three
steam dredging machines which were con
tracted for in October was received, and
Immediately placed at work, passing up the
canal to Tye river, where it was employed
until late in the summer. Since the re.
moyal of the Instructions at the mouth of
Tyc river the delays to navigation at that
point have been trivial, and it is hoped
that, with the aid of one Of these excava.
tors, which will be kept generally within
convenient reach, serious delays will not
again occur.
Commenting upon the work on the canal
the Board say: Considering the limited
means at command, the embarrassment
resulting from the character Of the labor
employed, and the general monetary con-
dIon of the country, it is believed thai
results have been attained as satisfactory
as could have been reasonably expected
Al no previous period, perhaps, have the
subordinate officers and agents Of the com.
pany been more jealous in the discharge o.
their duties than during the past hsca
year.
The work at the Joshua Falls dam ha.
teen successfully executed in its most diff
hcult part, and the works ut the Tye River
aad Blue Ridge dams, which have most
tngroSscd the attention Of the Board, are
Progressing satisfactorily under the care o
Competent contractors.
Considerable space is devoted in the re-
porl to an arrangement made between the
company, the principal owners Of freigh,
boats on the canal, and the owners or agent.
I" steamers running between Richmond
aud the cities of Baltimore, Philadelphia
and New York, for the transportation ol
Through freight. The agreement made on
.he 18th Of December was signed by the
atlantic Mail Steamship Company only
o!her steam lines being subsequently ad.
mN'ed, exceptions were taken by the At.
sh'ic Company, who determined to hold
themselves no longer bound by 1t. Prior
/" thls a contract had been entered into
Oe'"een several railroad presidents, which
SaIto 60 iuto effect from and after the 20tf
o;a February, for the establishment OF To-
80