Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1873-09-11
THE CHESAPEAKE AND OHIO
CANAL
convention in Favor of its Extension
TO the Ohio at Cum b e rland-An An
neal to be Made to CONGRESS

pear ~ JIG IEttuc ~ OODKF eSS.
The meeting of the convention for the pro-
posed extension of the Chesapeake and Ohio
canal from the Atlantic coast 70 the Ohio river
took place at Cumberland yesterday, and was
largely attended by delegations from Baltimore,
Wa hington, Pitt'burg, Chicago, and other
places. The Cumberland board Of trade offerc
the convention the rse of their rooms, In the
basement of the Lutheran church, and at II
O'CLOCK A. p. German, president of the
canal, called the convention to order, and, after
few remarks, i'm reduced the Hon. George A.
convention with a few well-tlmcd remarks.
OFFICERS OF THE CONVENTION.
Mr. Thomas Moore nominated the fol'owi ing
officers of the conventic1: President, Hon
Montgome-y Blair; vice presidents, Thomas
Moore OF Pistsburg, General Thomas Ewing OF
Ohio, Hon. II. g. Davis Hon. John Richie, j.
g. Berret, A: E. Wilton, John w. DAVIS, b. s.
HaTmill, H. T. S. Negley. W. w. McKaig,
Charles A. bravo, A. o. Tlrsmau, E. Sculi,
Hon. John Cessna: Hon. G. A. Pearree, o. F.
Brown, II. W. 5. Holman of Indiana, Hon. Jas.
G. Blaine, of Maine, Hon. Y. G. Blunt of Chi
cage; secretary, Frank Cowan; Official reporter,
W. S. Clephane.
SPEECH OF MR.. BLAIR.
Hon. Montgomery Blsir upon taking the
chair then addressed the convention. He spoke
OF the sreas project having been conceived by
NJ olson. The aid of the general government
should be extended. There were objections to
this, but 1t was choice between government
BY corporations or, and government by the people
eminent, welded as it may be by patronage, to
the irresponsible power of corporations, and be-
tween these two they must elect. Now that we
have gotten though the struggle for the Union
he was In favor o. cementing that Union by es-
tab''shiDg great roads and great canals, so that
freight could be moved at cheap rates, and the
industry of the people not be burnt up In fuel.
LETTERS AND CONCENTRATIONS.
Letters were read rom General W. w. Belk-
nap, Secretary of War; General VIM. T Sher-
man, Hon. Thomas Swami, Hon. James s. Neg
ley, apd Hon. Joseph d. Berry, expressing re-
greet that circumstances prevented them from
attending the convention.
A communication from the Hon. A. B. Davis,
of Maryland, was then read, In which was
sketchSd the history Of the Chesapeake s. Ohio
Hon. John Richie then followed in a speech,
advising that the consideration OF the details
should be postponed, inasmuch as the move
ment had just been initiated.
A DEBATE.
The matter was further debated by Judge
Pearre, Hon. John Richie and Hon. John W.
Davis, some opposition to the plan proposed by
cussion was somewhat diffuse, the propriety Of
aid being given by the general government
coming in for share of remark. The conven-
ton, at two O'Clock, adjourned to Sc ven O'Clock
p. m.
EVENING SESSION.
On Resembling in the evening, the com
Pearre, the results of their deiiberation After
an able speech, setting forth the importance of
the subject, he submitted resolutions that a
dent of this convention shall be chairman be
appointed to memorabilia the Congress of the
United States to aid in the completion Of the
river at Pittsburg, via the Chesapeake and Ohio
canal and YoughiogheDy river, and to confer
with the committee of the United States Senate
on transportation routes to the seaboard, and
present for their consideration the advantage OF
the proposed route as q national highway, and
to procure such national and state legislation
as may be deemed necessary to carry into effect
the objects of the aforegoing resolution.
IMPORTANCE OF THE WORK.
Thomas Moore, ESQ.,, of Pittsburg, q heavy
be discussed the subject at length, furnishing
stats. cs in regard to the trade that would be
reached by this work.
t., M; , B!snpon, esq. then followed in a speech,
present propo- ed route and the James River
and Kanawha ANAL. That will cost fifty mill
lions, and will end at Richmond, with ten feet
Of water. This needs but nine miles to COM
plete 1t, will cost but twenty millions, and will
end at Washington. D. c., with twenty-seven
feet OF water He said that the Eastern Branch
densburg, which was once at the head Of pavi-
galon; then, by cut of twenty miles, connect
Win the Delaware canal, and thence TO New
| navigation in the United States.
After several others had spoken on the sub
jeCi,
MR. GoRxAN, THE PRESIDENT,
cost CT construction and the feasibility Of the
Other .ps.ss.: followed N. comm,.
| zee to memorialize Congress Hon. George A.
| rearre, Hon. Jno. Richie, Hon. Lloyd Loyyndes,
| Hon. w. w. HOFFMAN, Hon. John w. Davis,
| =: j. Hazlitt, james G. Blunt and Thos. Moore,
| Hon, Patrick Hammill, Mefxs. n. Bannon, w.
| ". McKaig, Judge A. E. Wilson, Frank OoWan,
Hon. JAS. Harlan, Capt. N. j. Bigiey, Charles
A. bravo, Hon. G. n. Watkins, e. B. Pechin,
esq, Msssrs. VIM. j. Murtagh, james G. Ber-
/ Blair.
The convention adjourned subject to the cali
Of the president.
HThey have the choIera Al Paxjs,