The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1871-11-23
JAMES RIVER AND KANAwHA CANAL.

Il --N-~---NN
reasons we have hitherto advanced for an
earnest and immediate movement to secure
the completion Of the canal to its western
terminus.
Almost our identical language is used as
to the growing opinion among commercial
men that cheaper transportation must be
had between the West and the Atlantic
seaboard, than can be furnished by
existing or prospective railroads.
The bulk of Western produce is too
weighty in proportion to value, to bear a
tariff rate of freightage by railroad, such as
will leave any revenue to the carrier; con-
sequently the millions of bushels of bread
stuffs surplus over consumption, must seek
the tedious route of the Mississippi, and
risk the humidity of the climate of the
gulf. and the dangers of navigation around
the Florida reefs" or remain valueless in
the hands of the producer.
Concurring in the statement that 'the
great Erie, Pennsylvania, Chesapeake and
Ohio, and james River and Kanawha
canals are inadequate to supply the de-
mands of commerce, we demur decidedly
to the latter canal being included in the
category as Subject to be ice-locked dur
ing several months in the year." It is one
of the strong claims which the James River
and Kanawha canal most unauestionably
has over the canals north of the Potomac,
that the suspension of navigation, by being
ice-locked, will be temporary, in no proba-
BILE contingency exceeding five weeks,
against five months on the Erie canal.
This would give the vast provision trade of
the West a safe outlet at the very season
that it is most needed and when the mag
nitude of this interest is considered, and we
further reflect, this is only one of many
great interests which would be favorably
affected by an open water route to the sea-
board during the winter months, the Won
der is that so much apathy exists on this
subject. 4s- b.. f
The matter will be brought to the notice
of Congress, by our representatives, during
viz Nohiiis oooSiou out ~ Woulu lehuei
the proposed presentation of claim to Ma
tional aid, much more effective and likely
of success, if the press and people at large
in this State, would show not only their
faith but their interest in the work, by cor
dial Endorsement of whatever can be adj
vanced in its advocacy, no matter who
may take the lead in urging upon the gov
eminent the necessity. and the prospective
het Ill, Ill - a.
peheh.s WHICH WIZ accrue W the country
from the conanlation of tho Jaoao R;yar
'N
and kanaWha Canal.
.....-.s
"i"ANfio ENIHNrhiss-rhh Fho' Eorhp CANAL
FROM THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER TO THE ATLANTIC
OCEAN
Inc great canal contemplated to connect the
West with the Atlantic ocean, which was the
subject OF an address recently delivered before
the Atlanta Chamber OF Commerce by Col.B.
w frobel, superintendent of public works of the
State OF Georgia, is exciting much interest among
our people. 1t is a subject which grows in inter-
est the more it's discussed.
in the West that cheap transportation to the Allan
ttcocean must be secured. Railroad trdnsporta-
ton costs seven and hdJ times much riger
transportation ty canal This ratio Of cost, can
not as experience proues, be rdried.
The proposition is 10 open uninterrupted
water communication between the Mississippi
and the Ocmulgee. The Tennessee river at the
Muscle Shoals and elsewhere where obstacles to
easy navigation exist is now being improved by
the United States government From the Ten
nessee river the route of the proposed canal is
about as follows, as will be seen by an inspection
of the map now on exhibition in the hall of the
Chamber of Commerce. Commencing at the
mouth of Town creek, it ascends that stream to
point within three and half miles of Wills
creek, which can be reached easily by construct
ing a tunnel of from one-half to three-fourths of
a mile via Willis creek the canal is of easy con-
struction to the Coosa, and along 1t to Rome:
from Rome the valley of the Etowah is easily as
cended with canal, the Etowah Falls and the
topography of the country being peculiarly well
adapted for the location and construction of q
canal.
The route continues from the valley of the
Elowah up the valleys of the Little river and
Rock creek to the summit or highest point re-
quired to be reached before descending to the At
lintic ocean. The summit passed. only q few
hundred feet from Rock creek Long Branch is
reached, down which the descent to the valley OF
the Chattahooche. In the neighborhood of Du-
luth The last named will be crossed In this vi
entity there natural features admirably
suited to the construction of an aqueduct to sup
ply Atlanta with water for all purposes From
that vicinity the valley of the ()cmulgee is east
ly reached
The canal made to terminate at a point of per |
petual navigation ON the Ocmulgee, we perceive
that continuous line of water transportation |
possessing many advantages unknown to other |
routes will be opened between the great West |
and Atlantic ocean. The Qreut Erie the Penn |
syIuania the Chesapeake and Ohio and the James |
and Kaaa,oha are Inadequate to supply the de- |