New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-02-05
THE ISTHMUS CANAL.


- runvv p,.ss FOR CONNECTING THE ATLANTIC
avn PACIFIC NY A SHIP CHANNEr-INrERksr DE-
THE GOVERNMENT IN THE MATrER-DEScRiP-
TON OF THE PROPOSED RouIE7-bo'iNr-'' -"
FORE THE COMMISSION
fxpov Az OCCASIONAL CORRESPONDENT OF THE rR'BUNSI
WASHINGTON. Jan. 31.-Having In considera-
tion the matter OF ship channel through the nfto
isthmus connecting our territory win sou'h
prosidort buchanan SAID to a gentleman prominently
i,orested. "If may lndehby connect the record OF
no. ad,o,nistration with the execution OF this great
worry shall retire from the Presidential char wen SAT
isaed with the record leave behind me-
civil war came upon u.s. and four years OF struggle TO
maintain our national life During this period the ete''
nroeot which has interested the world for upward OF
three centures was aside, but not forgotten III
March, 1s66-he national wounds not yet heaIed-'ne
Congress called for information Gu the subject ana
asked of the Executive opinion IA to the PROPHECY Vi
engaging the nation again In the project.
Rear Admiral Cnas H. Davis, U. 8. Navy at tho time
superintendent Of the Naval observatory, aud Tor
long n5riod connected with the Coast survey gentle
man of distinguished scientific atainmenls' ana VINO
had given this subject much study and attention. was
directed TO collect and collate existing Information
nooArn;5, the several isthnuses through over which
u has been proposed 70 open communication between
the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans
The information presented TO Congress IN July 1900
by this gentleman, was Of the greatest 'aiue' IL na'
been published by the Senate in the form oil an EAecu
tive document II comprised review OF all thas hau
up to this time, been done in this direction by our o"
as well as foreign governments, and may be regarded
as the basis upon which the practical Work OF INC
preseut Administration was organized In conclusion
Admiral Davis says: The Isthmus Of Daren has not
been satisfactorily explored There does not exist III
the libraries OF the world the means OF determining
even the most practical route for ship
canal across the sthmus Our really authentic inform
tIfz hat AZ
ishmus where the approach each other Nature
has supplied harbors OF unsurpassed excellence on both
Sides and navigable rivers that invite the traveller 10
penetrate into the wilderness; while on one sac she
has established tidal condition in the highest degree
favorable to the needs Of commerce which traVeISes
the great seas"
President Grant, in his inaugural Of March L. 1902
said 10 the country "Let .haye peace, and almost
Immediately turned his attention to tins peacefu ana
important work Suggestions were asked from otncers
previously concerned, and on Dec j. 1852 secretary
Robson said the President clear that until we
know the whole ground we shall never be able to deter
mine tho best route. When that route Is known the
most thorough examination OF the ground will alone
serve TO settle the question OF feasibility so far as that
question depends upon cost But we have reached Tue
utmost limit OF utility IN the mere study and discussion
OF the subject. The time has come for action III the
field. II would be matter OF lasting regret II the
people and Government of the United states were an
Executive and January. 1870 the first expedition
under Commander sellridse, sailed from New-fork for
AspmwGll.
That we might thoroughly ." know the whole ground"
the survey isthmus ntrusted!to three ocefs
with separate Instructions To Capt H. Snueidt was
committed plain of 1ehuantepec The survey OF The
routes aud through the Ncaraguan lakes
was inrusted TO Commander A. +. CrOssman, VINO I'M
happily to his death by drowning at the beginning
OF his work. which was, however carried forward by
the senior officer. Commander Chester HitnsId
In the following season the work further pursued
aud completed by Commander T.. +. Luil. To Com
mander Selfrdge was committed the examination OF the
Isthmus of Dlren, ana OF the various channels pro
posed to the and south OF the isthman railway
The report Of Capt. shufedt was submitted to the
Department Aug H. 1871. and has been published by
Congress. That of Commander Lul is now nearly com
petcd aud will be in the hands OF the printer within
short time. The report OF Commander Selfridge has
been with the printer during the past Summer Ii IL
very considerable volume. and is expected from the
press immediately
On March,l3, 1873 the President appointed commits
Sou To examine and consider all routes and surveys
proposed suggested connect by canal the Atlantic
with the Pacific. The commission consists OF Gen
Humphrey Chief Engineer of the Army; Prof. Benia
min PIERCE OF the Coast Survey, and Commodore Daniel
Ammep, United States Navy. Their sittinGs have been
delayed waiting the preparation Of the reports OF Capts
Sefridge and Lull These being now ready the COM
DAYS OF this fact and the OF business they shall
determine upon THE TRIBUNE will he properly Informed
by It's telegruphir correspondence Tha following is
summary the three important routes presented TO the
commission:
TEHUANrEPEC.
Attention was early drawn to this isthmus by Two OF
it, fratures-the kable depression OF the Mexican
plain at point. and the photographic basin OF the
CoatzAcoacos which drains the northern slope Of the
sunken Cordera and discharges itself into the Gulf Of
Mexico TINS for canal received several surveys
and examinations about a century ago By the Mexican
authorities but they inaccurate and OF little abi
ity In ls5O-j is believed to have been properly and
accurately surveyed by Gen Barnard OF the corps Of
engineers. The reported by that officer as
having little merits a practicable line for the
construction of a ship canal" In 1901 the route
thoroughly and completely surveyed under the drec
ton of Capt. L. W. Snufeld L. 5. Navy. The report
Of this survey has been printed by Congress- and
the route its difficulties and prospect fully detailed
by the correspondents OF THE TRIBUNE. According to
Capt Shuiedts report the total length OF the canal
would be IA miles, and contain 40 locks. This officer
declares his belief that there are no natural obstacles
10 the construction OF the canal which engineering
science and liberal capital cannot overcome But the
expense of supplying the canal with water from
feeder with tunneling and heavy cutting the
don Of the country, the want Of labor, the political
revolutions Of which the country Is constantly the
scene deprive Capt Shufedts report Of the earnest
recomme given by the officers appointed TO the
survey OF other routes.
Capt shufeldt says in concluding his report:
canal through Of Tehusuepee Of the
Mississippi River to the Laele oee.n IL eoDysIt' he Gun Of aeTeo
il is the only route ,peaf
renders ertOT arcanAaLs.be ll brings Sew-Qrean,
ana the intervening that IL permits
S1i bot little more than The gilOn matter Of
political therefore as we'll As Of commercial necessity. aesas
acre 's,ums the gi'ns,' PGpY'IDA' me- De S-s ts
future OF our county hs nlIgu ns Rloon .nS'as