The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1872-12-09
JAMES RIVER AND KANAwHA
CANAL,

CANAL.
The Petersburg Inder has information in
regard to the probable action Of Congress
in extending government aid to the James
River and Kanawha Canal, which must be
highly gratifying to the people of Virginia,
as it foreshadows, without doubt, the true
purpose of the federal government to aid
in this important public improvement. A
special telegram 10 that journal states
that Mr.. Negley, Of Pennsylvania, has
prepared, and will introduce into the
House of Representatives to-day. bill
providing for the completion of this canal,
under the supervision Of the engineer Off
GERS of the United States, provided the
States of Virginia and West Virginia relin-
qlish their rights in the same, and arrange
for the purchase or condemnation of the
private stock therein, so that the federal
government may acquire full and COM
plete title to the work.
The bill provides for the appropriation
of eight million dollars to start with, but
quired action is secured bv the States
named. The work when completed, or as
fast as certain sections of it are completed,
is to be turned over to board of commits
sioners, one Of whom is to be chosen by
each of the following States, viz: Virginia,
West Virginia, Ohio, Kentucky, Missouri,
Indiana, Illinois. Wisconsin, and Iowa.
This board of commissioners, Of
VIII Oh the Secretary Of the Interior is to be
&c ofscio member, s to have the manag' :
ment of the work, apply the surplas tolls
to the reimbursement of the federal gov.
eminent for its outlay, and, when repay
ment is fully secured, make the line forever
free to commerce, save only such nominal
tolls as shall be necessary to operate and
keep the same in repair.
These are the substantial features, as re-
ported. of Mr.. Negley's bill, said to have
been prepared and offered on the sugges-
tons and with the approval of the Engineer
Bureau at Washington. The object of this
early introduction Of the bill is to bring il
as speedily as possible to the consideration
of the Committee on Commerce, that they
may take the proper action upon it at THU
session. The appropriation will be urgeC
at once, with probably reference to ,
commission Of civil engineers for further
examination and report, as may be fount
expedient.
The fact that this great work has re
ceived favorable recognition at the hand
of the President, and has been commended
by him to the early consideration 0
Congress, will suggest the proper action OF
: the part of our General Assembly, which
should Immediately memorabilia Congress
on the subject, and take such other actor
as will be most likely to secure the promp
and favorable consideration by that body
Of this greatest of Virginia enterprises.
The disposition of Congress may neve
again be found so friendly as now to
wards this important work, and no privat,
scheme of ACKNOWLEDGEMENT, il there be any
such, should stand in the way of immediate
action by the State for furthering the ends
Of Mr.. Negley's bill. We are utterly op
posed to the plan Of putting the worl
under the auspices Of any individual com
pany like that which engineered the Pacific
Railroad, for the reason that "the cal
in the meal" will be more likely tc
claw cut the eyes of the enterprise
than to further it before congressional
committee. Let the State come up
to the work like man Of abundant stature
itself, and not make confession of inabli
ty by calling in the aid Of outside fnan
cisrs to manipulate the project before Con
gress. Mr.. Negley's plan looks to tn,
completion of water line which shall ulti
mately be free to the commerce Of the State
that Of private company would look TO
grand and oyershadowing monopoly for al
time.