Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1873-02-14
I HE SEN TINEL.
The Chesapeake and Ohio Canal.

We stated in our last issue that we should
this week present some facts in connection
with the history OF the Chesapeake and Ohio
Canal, which would be Of interest to on!
readers throughout the entire State. Some
estimate may be formed of the importance OF
this gigantic work, when il is known that the
cost OF construction alone amounted to over
ten millions q dollars, $50, 600, 600, subscri-
bed principally By the State Of Maryland As
this was one of the first great works Of inter
nal Improvements constructed in this country
its rights, privileges and immunities were OF
the most liberal character. Nearly fifty years
ago, or perhaps as far back as the year 1924.
the Legislature Of Virginia granted the char
ter OF this great work. which was followed by
the Legislature OF Maryland in 1925, and rat
ihed and endorsed by the Congress of the Uni
ted States, in the year 1926 In these several
charters granted by Congress and the States
ct Virginia and Maryland, not only was full
powers given to hold in perpetuity the entire
property, butalso 10 construct moles wharves
&c. 10 dispose Of, sell or lease the same and
perform all other acts and deeds that the Pres
ldent aud Directors of the said Company might
deem proper and best to do for the interest OF
the Company-such actions to be endorsed by
majority OF The stockholders, and since the
adoption OF the new constitution Of Maryland
10 he approved by the Board of Public Works.
The Act of Congress carried with it, fun
and entire, all the ripqrifn rights along its en-
tire line through the District Of Columbia -
Tins matters stood for more than forty years
the Company holding peaceable and undis-
turbed possession of all the property thus
granted, resting securely under their charter
ed rights, until within short time since, when
their fears lecame alarmed at movements made
by parties to interfere with that portion lying
In the District Of Columbia, and it may be
wei! for us just here to state what that portion
is. The property with which this new move
ment attempts to interfere with is and will be,
the most valuable Of all the property belong cling
ia The Company running-say from Rock
Greek Basin between Georgetown and WASH
iDgton to Seventeenth street in the latter city,
fntraeihg distance Of nearly n mile of river
tront-and upon which the management Of
the canal haVeeypendcd nearly half million
of dollars. The simple 1retext upon which
the chartered rights of the canal are attempted
10 be Invaded is the plea of aOR-User, (Which
we deny. And even if it were so, is a mans
property TO be taken from him because he does
not use il We do not think that Congress
would for one moment entertain the monstrous
proposition of laying violent LANDS upon the
Company's possession in the District of CO.
lnmbia-in the face of chartered rights, SOL
EMMY, and, in good faith granted. The prop
erty thus referred to, as we stated before, is
not only the most valuable OF all belonging to
the canal but is absolutely Indispensable 10
the proper development of the coal trade
both foreign and domestic We have spoken
of this matter what in detail, that our
readers may see the Importance of this great
and growing work. Under the admirable
working Of the last Board Of Directors, headed
By such an able President as the Hon. Jas. C.
Gark-and whose good example has been i'm
proved upon by the present Board, all OF whom
are gentlemen Of known integrity and ability,
with uniiring and capable President in the
person OF the Hon. A. 2. Gorman-the re-
ccipts of the canal are constantly increasing
ana what has heretofore heen considered as
dead and sunken capital, will, with cuniin-
uauon of the present good management, be
among the most productive stock in Maryland,
and il sold, would iquidaIe the entire debt OF
the State We have not seen the briefs pre-
pared by Mr.. Gormln. and by request fur
,isncd The committees Of Congress and the
District Of Columbia, Int understand that the
points taken aud arguments adduccd are IN
coniroycr'ible aad so convincing 10 the COM
mitteps as to SET this maiter-so important 10
the State ot Mary lana--toreyer II rcst.-.Mry-
land RpHb.