Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1874-01-08
THE CENTRAL WATER LINE.

| most earnestly recommend the re
newal of every timely effort, and the
use OF all available means, to further.
the construction of the Central water
| line, the great conception of Washing
ton, the contamination Of which is des-
tined to signalize the present period IN
our history. The proposition already
submitted to Congress to adopt it as a
national highway, to he constructed by
the General Government and to be
maintained aud operated under its sl-
peryison, III the interest Of the whole
country, will receive the most effective
aid at my command.
The great want Of the country ade-
quate sportation between the points
Of production and consrmption-has
! become vital question of the day, af-
tecling on the one hand the profits Of
the western producer, and involving on
the other the more serious question of
food to the eastern operative. 1t is a
lamentable fact that while the want of
cheap and abundant food is oppressive
| ly felt in many eastern sections, corn is
yearly consumed as fuel in some of the
graln-growing States OF the Mississippi
valley
The improvement Of the natural wa
ter-ways Of The country and their con
nections with each other and with the
Atlantic sea-board by artificial water
ways is not only necessary rs supple
| - Il To tho &c -,
.tfforded ly railroads, but to secure that
healthtul competition which the inter
ests OF internal commerce demands
The natural water ways are controlled
by the General Government, and it is
equally and obviously proper that their
connections with each other and the
Atlantic seaboard, especially when ex
tending through two or more States,
should be controlled by the same Gov
ernnont for the whole people.
The water line from the capes OF Viz
! ginia to the mouth Of the Ohio river is
located by parallels Of latitude very
nearly or the central line of the United
States, and is as free from all injurious
climatic influences as any existing or
projected avenue of trade. The feast
bility cf tn, central water line has been
so often demonstrated by engineers Of
the highest reputation and skill; the Co
lossal benefits to be derived from its
completion have been made so appar
ent by years OF careful and extended in
vestigation that it wonld seem the only
question remaining to be decided by the
General Government is whether it will
complete the work on national account
and control it in the interest of the
whole country, or remit it to the States
to be constructed by other means.
While it may be of greater advantage
to us that the work should be construe
ted by private capital, securing to the
States OF Virginia and West Virginia
benefits in return for the privilege gran
ted, yet it is clear that the maintenance
as a national waterway, free to all PEG
pie, would be ncalculsbly more heneii
cial to the common country.
VARIOUS AND SPECIAL RECOMMENDATIONS
respectfully invite your early atten-
ton to the following recommendations :
That the law ftr obtaining revenue
from the oyster interest he revised and
so modified that the taxes upon that in
terest shall be the same imposed other
Legitimate subjects Of taxation con
forming to the same principles,and dis
eliminating neither to its prejudice nor
in It's favor; that the legal rate Of inter
est on money be fixed and regulated in
accordance with the plainly indicated
will Of the people; that speedy provis
ions be made prepayment OF semi annu-
al interest now due to public creditors,
and that a permanent financial policy
be mat,lred and adopted which will OBJ
viate the necessity for special legislation
in this respect i'll future; that the immi
grafton system be thoroughly revised
I and rendered efficient, so as not only
the better to induce immigration, but.
provide for the reception, care, and
protection OF immigrants, their cheap
! and speedy distribution and satistacto
ny location in all parts OF the State,that
the existing volunteer military organi
zation, exerting Wholesome influence
to prevent disorders and constituting
the indispensable means for suppressing
them should they unhappily occur, be
literally sustained and its extension Ell
couraged; that such moderate appropri
pliations be made for the State Board
OF Health as will give efficiency to its
important operations; that the existing
penitentiary system be so changed and
reformed as to be made certainly self
sustaining, avoiding, however, by all
practicable means, competition between
the labor of convicts and that of deserv-
ing mechanics and artisans, whose inter
ests should be carefully considered and
fostered; that the inappropriate and
needlessly expensive office Of salaried
aid de-camp, constituting personal
staff of a military character for the Elk
ecutive, paid and on duty as such in
time Of peace--an office which | de-
cline to fill-be abolished, and such
provision made for securing needful
clerical assistance in this office as may
appear to be proper; that the office Of
Public Buildings, Of compar atively re-
cent origin as separate office, as such
wholly unnecessary, and creating a
charge upon the treasury excessively
disproportlonate to the services per
formed, be abolished, and its duties de
volved upon the Adjutant General OF
snch other officer as may be pry Wv
DESIGNATED fs,the lfurrsc. Will