Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1876-02-04

CFficE CT The MANUFACTURES UNION,
BURLINGTON, Vt, January, 1876.

OFFICE CT The MANUFACTURERS UNION,
BURLINGTON, Vt, January, 1876.
GENTLEMEN:
The speedy construction OF the Caushnawags
shin Canal il matter vital TO the the interests
ana prosperity Of New England, that we believe
il oniy needs the suggestion, to enlist Tor II your
hearty cooperation. 70 this end, at the recent
Convention, ut chicago. OF the American boafu oi
Trtnsuortation and Commerce, composed OF lead
IN commercial men OF the country, the following
resolutions were presented by tx Governor brsss'
q, Illiaos aud were unanimously adopted.
Here follow the resolutions adopted at Chiea-
20, which have been published heretofore in THIS
paper.l .,,... -, ,-o,,-
o5y an adu-semsnto OF the above olutions. in or
der 10 influence our oyernment to appoint the pro-
nosed comm.s SION AT an carly day. II is not our
purpose reierate the familiar arguments IN reIa
ton u th- feasibility and cheapness OF the CauSh-
nawaga Ship Canal route over all other routes
from the great West 10 the seaboard. we woulu
simply allude to ths facts that the proposed snip
canal from the St. Lawrence to Lake Champ AM
Is hut i miles long, with less than . !ees VI lock-
age and that il can be bGilt for ,JOOVVi and that
upon ts completion vessels OF 900 tons burden can
load at Chicago. or other ports on the western
Lakes each with 40 eco bushels Of wheat, and land
the same, without breaking bulk. within 80 miles
% Boston, having passed through less than sixty
miles Of taxed caual nay CATION and at reduction
OF nearly II not quite fifty per cent OF the
age, from the present rates. The reduction o. the
reight the single article q lumber from Slich-
"a and Canada Will be at least one dollar per thou
and. The saving to New England in the cost OF
bringing the quantity Of breadstufis, now tran
sported by the railroads and the Erie Canal to New
England, would repay the total cost o. tbs canal
As It is utterly impossible for rail
roads 10 compete with natural water routes. unless
the CaughnawaSa Canal rs built, upon the en-
larrement Of the WelIand and the 81. Lawrence
canals, now n active progress, we may expect
10 see the trade Of the West largely diverted
from New England down the st. Lawrence. 1t
is therefore Tor the reatest interest Of New Eng
land 10 contribute, at once all in her powerto open
this rev route from the West, Of such vast capacty,
manly Of natural waters, TO connection Win
Lake Cha:uplain. VIII ence the distributing rail-
WAYS v. n carry its benefits 10 all New England
and the Atlantic ports. We are assured that the
appoiltment OF q joint commission, and the ne-o
{ alton OF a Tavi cation treaty with the DOMINION
OF Canada, such as is contemplated in the resOIu-
tons adopted AZ Chicago, may render important
aid t0waIcs tae construction Of the Snip Canal.
We therefore address you on this subject, Tor the
mutual benefit o. rour CITY and our own, and the
General ir.as-4tzf Nav England. Chicago and
the West have 1871 interest in the enterprise
but i o. especial Importance TO the whole OF
New England. II cannot be doubted that cheap
transportation between Chicago and Lake Cham
plain, by steamers which would come filled with
hreadstrs .or the supply ofthe Eastern States and
return loaded with Eastern would-ss
the CHICAGO Ir!buHe has recently expressed 1t
'open a new ira N tho business Of all New Eng
land
We ther,f ts earnestly invite your cooperation
in carry ln nut the resolutions OF the Chicago Con
venton, aId we would suggest that you memorial J.
ze the Seua; r. ami Representatives OF your htate
N Congress. requesting the!r AID IN bringing 'Ae
suhjec; GO re favorable cousderatono Of the Gen
eral G1Krrlme-.t
&c. kESSEIY. President
ELsAs LlNlN, t.cretary.
On notion tie report was accepted. and
the Secretary was Instructed to forward
copies of the resolutions TO the Vermont del
egation in Congress The President was
instructed to procure the printing Of the
circular, and to forward copies to the Tari'
Gus Boards Of Trade and city organizations
in No5 Elsa1i
Alter various remarks. and discussion Of
matte ---cjicE tho manufacturing inter