New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1870-12-27
TIE CANADIAN CANALS.

THE NAVIGATION OF THE ST. LAWRFNCE-Af-
POINTMENT OF CANAL COMMISSION
PROBABLE ENLARGEMENT OF CANALS-NEW
LINES Projected.
MONTREAL, Dec. 10.-The Canal Commits
sioners appointed by the Dominion Government have
held their rst meeting, and having planned and organ
lied their work. have adjourned until the 10th In order
procure the fullest information possible on the mpor-
tant subject they to consider. The Commission con-
sists of Messrs c. g. zowsk d. d. Calvin. and q. Laid
law OF Ontario Hugh Allan and p. Gamereau Of Quebec,
the Hon. l.. g. Shannon and A. Jardine OF the Lower
Provinces Mr. Allan, President Of the Montreal Ocean
Steamship Company is Chairman, and Mr.. Samuel
Kceer. Secretary II Is the duty OF the Commission To
the Legislature Its present condition and the i'm
provements possible, necessary or advisable Inc Cou
generally named by Canadian Governments. All OF the
members possess those indispensable qualfcationsn-
dependence, experience, and ability.
THE CANADIAN CANAL srsTEM-RRrRIsAIs.
The Canadian canal system Is Of great interest to
Americans particularly in the Western States The Ca
madam canals In effect the st. Lawrence River be-
without them free navigation Of the river either
upward downward. IL impossbiity. This fact has
lent Significance the retort 81 the Canadian Govern
men that President Grants remarks In the Message arc
unjust and Ridiculous In the first place. any ad an
down the river far as Niagara Pals or further a. is
with their money, and that they have right to do
with their own they please, even as IN last June tne
Canal when the Winnipeg expedition demanded pas
sage. H. Sir John A. Macdonald the bonding sys
is abrogated, close the Welland Canal to Amer
can vessels of which ASA with tunnage of 700 tuns
passed through the canals last year The very best a
thOry land that In the last 80 years
the American Government have never asked permission
pass vessels through the canals nor has the appca
ton OF single American vessel been refused. There
two chains VI canals wherein Americans have an In
terest and which may designate as the Eastern and
canals. Some OF these exist only paper, but
of such importance and are certain to be con-
structed, that the Commissioners win not be wasting
time In considering them omit all reference 10 purely
local canals, such the Rdcau from Ottawa to Kings
ton and the proeeted Bale Verte In Nova scotla, as
they have no general interest for Americans.
THE EASTERN CANALS.
These form the route by which access Ia had to Lake
Champlan This route is chiefly used by lumber barges
from Ottawa Three Rivers, bound 10 Burlington
Whitehall, Albany, or NewYOrk. II comprises the Car
ilon and Grenve canals and.the st. Annes lock on the
Ottawa River, all OF which require deepening the
Lachine canal at Montreal and the Cbambly and Richie
lieu canals by which rather round about route boats go
from the ST. Lawrence TO Lake Champlan. The Lachine
canal requires badly another entrance and large sdd
tioua basin at the Montreal extremity IL Is proposed
and the project has already been discussed at length in
TnE TRIBUSE-to build u new canal at Caughnswaga
the south bank OF the st. Lawrence opposite Iaehne
cost between the ". Lawrence and Lake Champaign
The scheme managed by the Hon John Young OF this
city, Gov Page, tho Hon Levi Underhi, and other gen.
tlemen OF Vermont IL promised well at the outset al
though Canadian capitalists thought they were liberal
$1,000 Of late u flip has been given to the enter
prise and the canal will probably be constructed ere
TuE WESTERN CANALS.
But when We have 10 do with the Great West which
daily becomes greater, at perceive that yearly
ncreasIng facilities necessary for the transportation
OF the OF the prairie States TO the seaboard The
ST. Lawrence is the great channel traced in right line
from the heart OF the grain country OF the North to
the heart OF consuming Europe The canals which over
the many natural obstacles TO navigation the
Sault Ste Marie, the Welland, and the ST. Lawrence
from Kingston to Montreal. IL with these canals and
with The projected new lines answering the same end,
that The Commissioners have mainly TO do.
NECESSARY ALTERATIONS.
The Commissioners do not at present seem decided as
TO the scheme they Will advocate a whole whether
radical only partial change is to be recommended
One thing is certain the weand Canal must be deep
ened and ts locks enlarged 10 permit the passage
the upper lakes in the Chicago and Buffalo trade.
second question arises: Having reached Kingston in 1t
best to discharge cargo into barges for Montreal there
70 be placed scagong vessels. TO enlarge the St.
Lawrence Canals that the largest lake craft may go
direct To Montreal or 10 enlarge both the Weland and
ST. Lawrence Canals that going vessels drawing
not more than is feet carry In bulk from chi
there are many questions on Which the CoumssonsTs
desire infornatiOnthe expense, the traffic, the posi-
biity OF ocean vessels being successfully naygated in
hke and canal waters, the relative expense OF small
and large vessels and the Ike IL Is certain that the
Commission viii recommend an enlarging Of the canals
that the largest lake craft may through TO Mon
trea and remotely possible that they may advocate the
amper scheme.
NEW CANALS.
Two projected canals will aso come up for consdera.
ton The first is the Georgian Bay Canalintended "a
substitute for the Weanda short cut from the Georgian
Bay, Lake Huron TO Lake Ontario, at some point be-
tween Toronto and whitby. The projectors claim that
tins canal would effect great saving In te distance
and, consequently, IN expense, between Chicago and
Oswego or Montreal do not think that the report OF
the Commissioners will too warmly advocate this canal
which, IL II be all It's friends claim, would afford a remI
nerave Investment FOR private capital but viii rather
recommend The expenditure OF equal amount in the
improvement of the Welland Canal.
The other scheme is modification Of the famous
Ottawa Ship Canal 80 frequently agtated few years
back The present idea Is that OF canal route with
depth Of eight feet, from Lake Huron Montreal via
the French River, Lake Npissng, and the ottawa River
surveys have shown the rOute to be looks
the map. IL Is doubtful, however N any steps Will De
taken al present 10 open this route IN ts entirely Prob
ably the Canadian Government will conine itself IN i'm
proving the navigation Of the streams Lake Huron
and encouraging the construction of railway from
Montreal " soino point near Lake EiDlsalnAL