The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1872-12-07

III.
ment-The Governor, -DIsapproyes
OF Aid from the National Govern
ment 60 Complete the James River
aud Kanawha Canal.
RICHMOND, Va. December 4.-The
Legislature met to-day, aud after the
reading OF the Govesnor's message both
houses adjourned in respect to the
death OF Horace Greeley. Both the
flags, State and national, floating from
the Capitol were also lowered to half
mast in honor OF the dead journalist.
The message of the Governor treats
all the principal subjects usually en-
braced in such documents in a calm,
iair and impartial manner, but it does
not refer to national affairs, and lacks
the vim and spirit of the message of q
year ago. when Governor Walker was
rather severe on the national admins
tration. He does not even refer to the
death OF Mr.. Greeley. Upon the finan-
cial condition OF the State he reiterates
his former Recommendations, which
were entirely in antagonism to the
course Subsequently, pursued by the
Legislature, in regard to the funding of
the educational interests OF the State
"a subject now receiving more at
tention than at any other period
in his history-a prominence is
given that may be accepted as cor fir
nation OF this statement. The interest
manifested by the Governor in various
institutions OF learning, including the
University OF Virginia, the Military In
stitute and the recently organized Ag-
rieultural College, will have the effect
OF still further enlisting pure sympathy
in the cause Of education 1t is flat
tering to report already that the pro-
gress made in this particular has ex-
ceeded the expectations OF the most
sanguine.
JAMES RIVER AND KANAwHA CANAL.
That portion Of the message in rela-
ton to the completion OF the James
River and Kanawha canal meets with
general disapprobation, and has given
issue to a great deal OF adverse discus
sion and not little feeling this even
ing, as this is the cherished enterprise
and great national water line and trans
Allegheny route from the west to the
east of Virginia The Governor throws
cold water on the proposed manner of
completing it by national aid, and
makes the following statement and
propositions, which l give in full:
"The government OF the United
States, in my judgment, will never un-
dertake the completion OF the James
River and Kanawha canal. 1t might
lend the aid OF its credit upon safe and
satisfactory conditions, but beyond this
[ am satisfied that it will not and really
ought not to go. Let the owners OF this
property, including the State, transfer
the title on all their interests to COM
pany of responsible gentlemen of estab'
iished reputation for probity and fnan.
cial ability upon condition that the
work be completed in satisfactory
manner within a specified period, and
be thereafter used within certain pre-
scribed limits as to tolls and general
management; and | entertain no rea>
sonable doubt that company OF gem
tlemen of the character can be found,
and that when the company 10 organ
lied and in possession and ownership OF
the property, upon the terms and condi-
tons just stated. that the government
aid. il needed, could be obtained, in a
way Of a guarantee upon the first mort
gage bonds OF the company, to a snffi-
Gent amount to complete the canal. TO
this extent and this only, is there any
real hope Of government aid in this en-
terurise. While it is work Of national
importance,
AND IN CASE OF WAR,
under certain, though not probable cir
cumstances, might be OF incalculable
benefit to the nation, yet it does not fall
within that category of Improvements
which the national government feels
itse ELF authorized to make on its own &C
count. 1t has within lew years past
been granting subsidies OF public lands
10 aid in the construction OF railroads to
the Pacific, but even this form Of aid
has been discontinued, and hope for
ever The reasons which induced these
subsidies do not apply 10 this canal 81
an improvement to any considerable ex-
tent The arguments in favor OF this
scheme have been worn threadbare IN
:be case OF the Niagara ship canal, the
Illinois ship canal and the Fox river
improyement ard other ike schemes.
I state these facts not to discourage any
proper efforts on behalf OF our great
and much needed water line, but simply
to dispel the
,LLusIvE AND FICTITIOUS HoPEs
and exoectations which interested par
I;es have been sedulously endeavoring
70 inspire. The plan above indicated,
in nv Judgment, is the only one pos,
sessing even the germ OF success, and
the sooner we all concentrate our ehorts
mon it the sooner will cur expects-
tons be realized. That the Investments
already made in this improvement IN
its present condition are vslreless ana
that it's completion is Of vital imPor1
lance to the people Of our State, IS well
as the great valleys of the Mississippi
and Missouri and Ohio no one can
question, The only subject OF Discus
s;op il how it can be accomplished. II
The Legislature will modify it's action
oI las, winter 70 as to clothe the COM
missioners with full power to transfer
this property absolutely and without
the delay which might be occssloneu
nv reference hack, 70 the Legislature
for its approval, i am hopeful OF OF an IN
securing such a combination oil private
csnitsl and ability as will undertake
and insure the completion OF this sreat
o"" .,h;cb has been the