The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1873-01-09
The James River and KanaYha ca
nGl-An Appropriation PreDabie-A
Elan for Raising Revenues.
correspondence of the Richmond Dispatch

Correspondence Of the Richmond Dispatch.J
WASHINGTON, D. c., January !, 1878.
The Committee of Commerce will deter
mine to-day when they will hear the repre-
sentatives of the James River and kanawha
canal. The committee before the recess
heard Colonel Frobcll and others in behalf OF
the Georgia water-line in very able report,
and great interest was manifested by the
committee in the subject of water-lines gen.
orally, and especially in the great central Wa
ter-line through Virginia.
They determined then to postpone the
consideration of this last until after the holt
days, when they could have full commit
tee, in view of It's great Importance. Gene
eral Negley, who introduced the bill in the
House of Representatives before Christmas,
announced his determination to call it up in
committee to-day, and have no doubt it
will be reported tnvorably to the House at n
very. early day By very large majority OF
the committee, If not unanimously.
This bill contemplatcs an appropriation OF
SS,000,0OO at this session Of Congress, and
within four years $4,000, 00c-an amount
fully adequate to complete the same TO the
Ohio river, with its great tunnel and en-
largqd dimensions.
Should this be done ut this session OF
Congress, here will be opened up road to
the people of Virginia to pass from their
present financial embarrassment, State and
individual for no sooner will it be known
that the Government are determined to CON-
plete this great national highway than mil
lions Of dollars Of surplus capital will flow
into the State for investment in our lands,
giving an increased value Of fifty to one
hundred per cent. on the same.
With such an enlarged basis in our real
wealth, even the present low rate of 90 cents on
the 500 wi,tii;. bring in greatly. increased
amount to our treasury-an amount not far
short of what would pay the interest on our
present funded debt; and the current eN'
penses of our Government.
Would not more immediate resource be
presented If our Legislature would instruct
our senators ana representatives to move at
once TO do that which large majority Of
the House of Representatives Cat the Ia>i
session of Congress manifested the intention
of doing-viz., removing all taxes OH adhe-
siye stamps, matches, &c. in fact, from all
| other subjects except tobacco and whiskey
In the fiscal year 1871 the taxes on adhesive
stamps was $4,000, 900; on friction matches,
| 81 100000. On these two subjects Virginia
according to her population, paid into the
| Federal Treasury S550,000. With q proper
liquor law, with like penalties and provi.
sions to the Federal law, S350,000 moro
might be added to the income OF the State
making 100000.
Here, then, Mr.. Editor, are three subjects
(f relieved from Federal taXstion) which
| our able chairman of finance, Mr. Daniel
would direct by proper legislation as streams
pouring, into our treasury nearly million Of
dollars, without imposing q cent on the people
of the Commonwealth a1hach they do not s,o,l
haze to bear. With these new subjects
without any increase on the real estate OF the
Commonwealth, would give rs nearly three