National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1873-06-18

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encouraging, but We are inclined TO walt be-
fore plapouucing finally upon Its merits.
-
THE DARIES SHIP CANAL.
An editorial has appeared lately in the
Washington Chronicle upon the subject Of q
ship canal between the Atlantic and Pacific
oceans, attributed to gentleman whose ex-
tcnsivo political experience, and the i'm
portant position he formerly held under the
Government, gives II an interest and slgnin-
canco which might not otherwise attach
itself TO subject which up TO tho present
time has not been prominently before the
public.
The article was no doubt called forth by
tho recent success Of the surveys Of Com
mander Sclfridgc, which have resulted In the
discovery Of a route which will not under the
liberal estimate necessary for u work Of the
character aud magnitude that purposes to
convey steamers or vessels Of the largest size
from ocean to ocean in a few hours, cost more
than $40, 600, 900.
The writer states that the success Of Com
mander Selfrldge consists In the attempt, by
numerous locks, to be supplied by uncertain
mountain streams, TO lift ships over high
mountain range, aud by the same slow pro-
cess lower them to the ocean, involving large
expense and continuous repairs.
This Is not the case. The plans Of Com
mandcr Sclfridgo contemplate no such ITO
plan schcmc on the contrary, his project Of
canal, approved by some Of the ablest cnsl-
ncers Of the United States, Is merely direct
cut OF twenty-clght miles, from the head Of
ship navigation on the Atrato river TO the
Pacific ocean-twenty-two miles through q
fat plain, and the remaining six over broken
country, which requires three miles Of deep
cutting and three miles Of tunnel. His plan
does include system OF eight locks up, Of ten
feet lift, aud as many down, or eighty feet In
nll; but, so far from being over mountain
ridges, they arc situated on the level part OF
the work; aud so far from being filed by un-
certain mountain streams the whole canal
and locks arc fed from the Napipi
river, which has an average volume
through the year OF three million cubic
feet an hour, a supply ample for Ave times
the amount Of commerce that Is calculated
would at present use the canal. 80 far from
involving large expense aud continuous re-
pairs, the construction Of this canal will be
through It's whole extent In rock, and, once
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VI. .'"O"'oN .na' % " " i.s'V''eu' ihe
suoI1e' % asnp eAna' rom inc Auan'ie 10
ue ise'"e % onv " hA''ouai Importance
% Mh'cn M, nas ehsasou ue a''en'lon OF Meoster,
Sia'' "noA'""' oS"su ana many o'hers Oh
our s'a."'nlou' anu s,. snouiu oo uiseuSseu upon
nauoaa s,ouuu ine,o 'nouiu DO no hast
ho "os'' pus "hat 10 io' 'ne soou VI uc
"ho'e' 'or 'nt,uia'e'y oouuu 'osothcr as we
arc IN our business reiations' "nht increases
inc prosperity OF on9 sccuon WIN equally,
thousn IL uily oo ihuireetly, peneht the
ether'
Inc Nost Is lhuooIed W tue East Tor tho
eaPita when mas 70 large extent Oullt
up It's magnineont system oil railways, and
should II besrudge the means, by more lnti-
mate commercial reiauon' OF improving and
augmCntlng THIS CapltllE lhc writer In the