Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1870-03-21
Chesapeake g. Ohio Canal.

There is to be no increase for the present in
the rate Of tolls on the canal MeSSrS Gordon,
Poe and Thompson were some time since APP
pointed q committee - inquire and report TO
The Baari of Directors whether any change
ought 70 be made in the existing rates, aud al
ter having given the subject due consideration
reported that it Is incNpelient to alter them,
and submitted 4 resolution 70 that effect for the
action of the Board Alta meeting on the It'll
instant. this resolution, which declares chat
until otherwise ordered the tolls on coal and
coke transported on the canal be at the rate Of
ouc-quarter Of cent per ton per mile was
adopted and subsequently, sanctioned by the
81, cGhOldcrS at their meetlg ta the l7th iu-
staUI-G Georgetown Courier
Gov Bowie, Of Maryland, has sent in Mes
sage to the Legislature Of Maryland, giving a
history an lie financial condition Of the work,
It's pas, and present management aud showing
the evils of making it political machine
Maryland is now the principal owner of the
work, and is accountable for any mismauage-
me4t
Virginia glauutced bonds ofthe company to
the amount Of $4,000 and has claim for
that and for the coupons pail by her TO the
amount of a quarter OF million Of dollars
She is therefore entitled to the benefit Of the
mortgage given to secure the bonds which She
guauuteel Gov Bowie says
twill thus be seen that the debt having
priority over the claims Of tie State has thus
iu q peri, 4 of twenty years under The past man
1seDCn, q the company hccI steadily incrcsS-
ing with1ut2ny pcCunjlrv benefit or adyan-
t5-s whatever % the State, until now the inter-
est ju lyrcsr and unpaid amounts to more than
thc principal aud the total bonded debt Of the
Company, principal and interest, have reached
the enorWousSUm o. four millions two hundred
thousand dollars. while the claims Of the State
have grown. by the ron-psvment Of dividends
ON her preferred stock and interests on her
mortgage io5.s, 20 nearly twenty millions Of
dollars.
" Tho fioycrnor holds that for this condition
81 affairs the State IS % a great extent respon-
sib'c The capital stock of the company is
IS 22f.593 81, OF which Tie State owns So
lGS-24%l. and therefore by virtue of her
ownership of fye-tighths Of the capital stock
has hal fer more than thirty years the exclu-
s.yc management, AMI has absolutely shaped
and controlled the policy Of tie company
Adm'ulstc ing rs affairs ly officers chosen by
her, changing those officers with every change
boo her politics, removing one years officials
who had inst begun 20 be familiar with the
duties responsibilities Of their position. and
appointing iu their place others who IN turn
were soon superseded by fresh ucumbcuts. il
Is rr wonder that this -re.. enterprise has Ian
gu.>hcd aud tina. the hopes and expectation of
IT. f'r-seciOg aud sagacious projectors hcye not
leen realized.
The Governor pays a Just compliment 20 the
much abused railroad company. or the Canal
lie says
!, stands in melancholy contrast with lis
great aud powerful contemporary. the Balu-
worc aud Ohio railroad q monument of tie
u.hca, error of It's past administration. and
admo-'shes US 81 the necessity Of djvorcing all
grea. works Of Internal improvement from the
blasting influence Of politics. if we would have
@ en- 'ntiI-n>.v. economically, honestly and
successfully administered
A. thc Governor hes touc,.l the right chord.
eve hope tic result viii be a complete removal
t..a Ola work which ou-', TO be bene6.ial in
lisa degree to the fine agricultural region
t'r,uss vIa5a 8, passes.