The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1872-12-05
THURSDAY EvE'G. DEC. 6. /,
our GREAT WATER.LINE.

The proposition Of Governor Walker to
turn over the interests Of the State in the
James River and Kanawha Canal to com.
pany of gentlemen of established reputa.
ton for probity and financial ability" or
condition that they shall complete the work
in satisfactory manner within specified
period, strikes us as extremely inopportune,
to say the least, at the present time. How
ever conspicuous q monument of folly it
may be to the State, in the estimation of its
Executive head, we cannot regard the
work, costly as it may have been
IN its construction thus far, as money
thrown away in the interests of Virginia.
Toe project is one of the grandest ever con-
ceived by Virginia craftsmanship, and the
extent to which it has been carried fully
demonstrates the practicabilty of the great
undertaking.
1t is true that the work has terribly
Jagged in its prosecution thus far, but the
State has something more than worthless
stock" in the hundred AMI ninety-eight
miles already completed. Large CONNER
cial advantages have accrued to the State,
and particularly to this city, and there is
scarcely an estimahle limit to the advan-
tages that still may flow from it.
We consider the proposition Of the Gov
ernor as exceedingly inopportune, for the
reason that FOR the first time in the history
of the Federal government there is a rea-
sonable prospect that it NAV be taken hold
of as great national work and eubstan-
TALLY carried through to its proposed west.
ern terminus. The President commends
the undertaking in connection with the pro-
posed action of the State, and there are
special considerations moving in the
direction Of this great enterprise which
should not be lost sight of at this time.
The Governor estimates the cost of com.
pleting the work and enlarglng it to the
demands Of the probable commerce that
will follow, at forty millions of dollars,
and asks how this vast sum is to be OBJ
tained7 We answer that if it is obtained
at all it will be by the aid of the Federal
government, and not by any company Of
responsible gentlemen" SUCH as the Gov
ernor may pledge himself to obtain, in case
the splendid franchise is turned over to
them by the commissioners to make the
transfer.
The work is admitted to be one Of ma
tional importance, and of incalculable
benefit to commerce and to the Federal
government in time of war. But the Gov
ernor thinks it does not fall within the
category of national improvements, such as
Congress will be likely to take hold of and
perfect. In coming to this conclusion, his
Excellency must have ignored the
more recent facts of history, and gone back
to those Of old Bourbonish times, when,
under the lead of Virginia craftsmanship,
the wi ole South was arrayed against every
measure of internal improvement that
might be brought before the Federal gov
eminent. 1t is not these grand national
enterprises that have fallen out Of the
category" but old Bourbonism itself,
ani nobody will regret its disappearance
through the hole of category. "
The National government is now tho
roughly alive to system Of splen-
did internal improvements, and mona,
IN all the category, comes up in importance
and value. rs national work, to the James
River and Kanawha Canal.
To turn this splendid work over to a
company Of spectators, no matter of what
reputation for probity and financial ability,
would bo the worst conceivable policy for
the State at this time. The action taken
by the Legislature at it's last session is man.
ifestly one in the right direction, and the
President has promptly responded TO the
handsome overture of the State in commend-
gifts proposition to the favorable considera.
ton of Congress. We want to see no change
in the policy of last winter, as regards this
important public interest of our State
and least of all, do we want to see the en-
terprise in the hands Of private individuals,
to manipulate in their own interest rather
than for the highest good of the State.
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OUR neighbors in West Virginia are