New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1869-08-24

The actual cost Of construction so far has been
The capital stock has since been increased TO
t75OyO0O. The Virginia water-lne extends from tide
water on James River Richmond TO tue oD9 Point
Pleasant distance Of asa miles one anu nine
tysix miles OF canal completed. 81 miles partially
constructed, and ~ miles not yet tOuehgg tne eiaih
ing distance Is sackwater navigation Inc COS. on en-
larging the present canal OF completing IL ON tne en-
srged scale and of improving the ~ e., Sl the
eli This provides for capacity OF boats OF 80 tuns
burden The probable annual revenue ls estimated at
aud administration win return upward Of 10 per cent on
capital OF $4,000 600 and will contrast av0raDy Hh the
years the waterne through Virginia viii Only De closed
by Ice 10 days each year. and no danger neeu ~ sPpre
The most important element entering into te question
Of the proposed canal. Is the relative cheapness OF
freghts over common roads wheat cannot DC carried
greater distance than $50 miles and corn IMAM 10
miles BY railroad wheat and corn can be carried 70
navigation wheat may be transported distance OF eO
miles, and sti leave 60 cents bushel 70 the farmer
rally diminished by the relative shortness OF
the route. The opening OF this route wiz nave
the effect Of lowering by Onethird the present charges
between the Mississippi and the Atlantic Another re-
suit will be opening MP the htuminous Goa regog
Virginia Kentucky and OHIO u settle the question
for Eastern cities. and relieve the apprehension Low lG
by Eastern manufacturers on That yfa suJeG y fbe
products OF the interior and suppng cheap form
necessary supplement the navigation OF the MISSISSIPPI
and its tributaries and prove invaluable IN ue VI WAL
because not liable TO be closed by hostile force -,
The Committee find that the sum Of NOOOOoOO VIII DC
required for enlarging present works and completing
them TO the Ohio that the whole can be executed III ou
years and that the net income Of the canal VIII pay te
interest Of this and leave balance OF HlOV.VW,
which may be used sinking fund Tor the lqul1suoh
OF the debt in years. Summing mp their denDela
tons the committee arrived at these conclusions: A..
THAT cheap transportation for the products OF the
interior is not only necessity, but Is demanded Dy inc
highest considerations Of public policy. .
THAT 20 II, additional direct ana CONTINUOUS
lines OF water communication are imperatyey needed
and should be provided between the Mississippi RIVER
and the Atlantic seabOard not only as means OF
fTeghtage but In order that requisite competition may
be maintained between transportation lines.
g. THAT, Of these means OF water conlInuhlca
ton the route 20 be afforded by the James River ana
Kanawha Canal, II extended TO the ONO RIVER as pro
posed, has especial prominence. 80.
THAT the work necessary for the complexion on Is
canal on the scale deemed essential for It's great ODe
is demonstrated by eminent engineers to De praeucaDe
OF early completion. -. 49,.
g. THAT such a work would be national IN It's charao
ter entitled receive national aid TO secure us CO
pletion at the earliest possible period. 49,.
C. THAT In order that 10 shall enure 10 the pest lhltI
ests country, all private and corporate proprietor
ship In il should be removed (which removal should De
cadtOn precedent TO the grant of aid by the Genera
Government and when the cost OF construction, "a
represented by the outlay OF the State OF virginia ana OF
the nation shall be fully reimbursed that the commerce
conducted on canal shall be subjected only 10 suoh
tolls as may be necessary for its repair"
embOdying these conclusions the Committee Irthe
recommend that the Executive Council OF the NauOh
Board of Trade he directed memorabilia Congress IN
reference TO extending aid TO the proposed canal.