The Albany register. [volume] (Albany, Or.) 1868-18??, 1870-07-02
The santiam Canal,

or the consideration of this community,
q different shapes. by different parties,
luite number of times in the last few
'ears. All agree that such an improve
nent would greatly advance the interests
# this city in every point of view, but
he cost of putting it through successfully
aas hitherto deferred parties from engag-
ng in the undertaking. just previous
TO the opening of the late political can
gass, articles of incorporation were filed
by gentlemen of this city, with the de-
clared purpose of constructing a water
ditch from the Santiam river to this city ;
but the june election, following so soon
after these preliminary steps had been
taken, entirely and thoroughly "washed
out" the ditch question, and no further
steps have been taken, that we are aware
of, by these gentlemen in the matter.
This canal project, in our opinion, is
paramount to all others, and Of far greater
and more general benefit than even the
completion of the railroad, although that
is consummation devoutly to be wished
by Albanians. If the success of this
enterprise had been assured enc year ago,
we would never have been compelled to
pay q bonus to induce the railroad to
make Albany a point on its hne, because
the assurance of a water ditch, affording
cheap power for ten times the amount of
machinery now used, would produce such
immediate and enlarged prosperity in our
midst as could not be overlooked and
passed with indifference by such corpo-
ration.
Other parties, however, outside of the
Albany gentlemen referred to above, at
once seeing the advantages to arise from
the construction of such work to the
city and county, and the large and con-
stantly increasing income that would be
pocketed by the successful undertakers,
have interested themselves SO far as to
survey and locate the line of ditch, and
approximate its cost Mr.. Unthank, the
engineer entrusted with the survey, etc.,
gives the length of the ditch, from the
point on the Santiam river, where the
water enters the ditch, to Mr.. Smead's,
short distance from the city, at about
eleven miles. In this distance there is a
fall of between ninety five and one hund-
red feet-more than enough for all prac-
teal purposes. The estimated cost is
less than half the price heretofore given
by parties who have estimated upon sim
liar work.
We are authorized to say that party
now in this city stands ready to insure
the completion Of a ditch conveying water
from the Santiam to this city, whenever
the sum of $4,000 is guaranteed to him
or, if necessary, SO confident is he thai
the enterprise will prove, pecuniarily, Of
the greatest profit, he will take $4,000
| worth of stock in the enterprise, if oul
citizens will take the balance-S15,0 900
1t seems to us that matter of sc
much interest to our citizens generally
as this is acknowledged to be, should moi
be long debated. The amount of money
necessary to secure its construction i.
small indeed compared to the immediate
and lasting benefits arising from it, and
our citizens should need no urging to al
once put it to successful issue. IF the
necessary preliminariss were Immediately
arranged and the stock subscribed, the
canal could be completed to this city be
fore the railroad, as there is a possibility
that the latter desirable event viii no
occur before the early part of 1871 Lei
our capitalists, our mill men, our mer.
chants, and all who are interested in thu
future growth and prosperity of Albany
canvass this matter thoroughly, and We
have not the slightest doubt that all vii
be convinced that this enterprise is of thu
first magnitude, of greater and more per
manent interest to this community thar
any project yet offered for consideration
Now is the time to act, and if we wouls
secure the benefits that would assuredl,,
|
be brought about by the completion o
the work, We must not procrastinate.
| The Army Bill, as it finally passed
secures a reduction from $1,000 rank an,
file to SO, 900. When officers are dis
charged on their own application they ar
to receive from one. to two Years' add
tional pay; when they go out upol
Recommendation Of the Board, one years
additional pay. The grades Of Genera
and Lieutenant General are to expir
when they are vacated BY the Iresen
| lincumbents The pay roll fxes the fo
lowing rates for officers: General, S12
loco; Lieutenant General, $40, 900; Ms
| jor General 81 500 Brigadier General
SIS, 500; Colonel, s3, 500; Lieutenan
Colonel, S3 900; Major, 81, 500 Captai
I(rnounted), SO, 900 Captain (not mount
ed1, 81 500; First Lieutenant (mounted
Isl 800; First Lieutenant mot mounted,
Isl. 500; Second Lieutenant (mounted
4 A.. y fr1ak IN \