The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1873-01-23
THE CANAL.

During the past week the claims of the
James River and Kanawha Canal have been
very ably presented before The Committee of
Commerce. in Congress, by Coils. Charles s.
Darlington and R, " Hughes, citizens. of
Virginia, and Congressman J. PEI. Platt Of
the Norfolk district, and Mr.. Sheldon, Of
Louisiana. The speeches, especially Of Coils.
Darlington and Hu hes,were very exhaustive
and instructive. they brou ght to the after
tive of the Committee the entire feasibility of
the project, as demonstrated by the report Of
competent engineers and the immense coun
try it would open up for productive i'm
provement. 1t was demonstrated that after
i's completion, the net annual profit from the
tolls would reach over IS, 900 900, which CO.
timating the cost at $50 100000. would REIN.
burse the government in eight years. Great
interest was manifested By the members CT
the Committee, and various questions pro-
pounded to the speakers, which were
satisfactorily answered. We understand that
all Of the Pennsylvania members of congress,
and those from the western, North -western
aad some Of the Southern States, were pres
eat 90 the occasions Of the speeches, and are
anxious that the appropriation asked for in
Nr. Negley's bill be granted, with the adop
lion of the BILL. We learn that there is lit
tie doubt entertained of the passage Of the
bill Should this information prove correct,
and the bill really pass, we can conceive Of no
act of the government that would contribute
so much to the regeneration Of Virginia
o. course the appropriation Of the SO .000,-
0o0. would in time, be followed by similar
disbursements, aud the expenditure Of $780,
600 600 in Virginia and West Virginia, in
the course Of four years, the time estimated
for its completion, would work marvellous
revolution in the material condition of tie
Commonwealth Then there is no enterprise
upou which the administration could so SAT-
" rest its reputation for broad craftsmanship
I'd genuine cathollcity OF spirit towards all
plrties and all sections ofthe country, as the
,nsummation Of a work whose great utility
WIS first conceived by Washington For
President Grant to link his name with that Of
Washington in the completion Of this great
nafioual work, would form for him chap
ter in history that would far eclipse any 9TH
Ell act of his administration, looking to the
progress. prosperity and material development
Of the country and unifcation Of the in: eresss
and sympathies of the South and West and
North west.
A special to the Richmond Dispatch, of
d.te Goth, received since the above was in
type, says
The House of Represen atives have just
passed, by more than two thirds vote, Gen
eral Negley's motion to fix Thursday, 18th,
Of February, at 2 o'clock 7. NJ. to allow the
Committee on Commerce to report on the
water lines, tothe exclusion IF all other spe-
cial orders The bill Of the James River
and Kauawha canal will be reported and con-
sidcred that day.
Col. L w. HUGHES. -A special telegram
from Washington, dated Goth, to tho Rich
mond Dispatch. says:
The name Of Hon. r. W. Hughes, of Vir-
GINA, has been mentioned in connection with
the new Cabinet Of President Grant, provided +
that such new Cabinet is formed, or even in
case any changes are made. Other Southern
gentlemen Of Republican political sentiment
have also been spoken Of, but many think that
IN case Of change the Administration would
,e very much inclined to the recognition of
Virginia.
Mr.. Hughes is eminently capable of f Ing
my position either in the Presidents cabinet,
" the State Of Virginia.