Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1876-07-21
A CRISIS IN THE HISTORY OF TO.
IEn0

is expected to legislate, and ut this time
such legislation is of vital Importance
to Toledo. 1t is scarcely necessary to cay
that this relates to the construction Of
permanent aud ample channel at the
mouth Of the Maumee River. Work ia in
progress for the enlargement Of the canals
on the St. L1wrence, and in few years
the direct shipment Of pro iaee from Lake
ports to E1sope mat be iuauelra,el on
permanent basis. Toledo occupies posi-.
ton which should give her the control Of
this trade. She 10 the extreme western
point on direct water line to Europe, and
1t was this fact which induced JEsuP w.
ScoTr to predict that she must eventually
become the greatest city in the world, But
to reach that p'int--to reap the benefits
belonging to her p,sition--work is neces-
sary. To-day, the channel lealing to her
docks il 50 shallow and so difficult to nav
igaie that the larger class Of vessels can
scarcely be induced to engage in her trade.
Under such circumstances, how can she
expect to become the Western terminus Of
the European line OF direct water trans
portation? The large vessels required for
this trade would fnl the present channel
lily adapted to their use, and unless great
improvement can be made in its capacity
to meet the wants OF sailors, they must
seek some other poin. for receiving and
discharging cargoCs!
Without cnlarging upon this subject, we
lesire to remark that the business men
and property owners Of Toledo will be
guilty of great folly il they do not nee
that the Republicans select as their can
didate for Congress the man who can do
most towarl securing the needed improve
men; Of tho channel through the Maumee
Buy. All other questions are of little i'm
portancc to Toledo compared with this
one, and II shc woulil continue her rapid
growth and uncquallcl prosperity, she
must not permit PERSONAL considerations
or petty ambitions to lead her iuto such a
fatal mistake as the neglect Of this inter
cat. Tho substantial people Of Toledo
should agree upon the man who can have
the greatest influence in securing favorable
action ON the part OF Congress, and the
people Of the district will endorse their ac.
tion, for what is Toledo's interest is tho
interest Of every person in the district.
1t will be no easy task to secure this
much needed improvement. Congress has
got into the habit OF setting aside n large
snm Of money annually for the improve.
ment OF rivers and harbors, and then this
money IL divided up into comparatively
small sums and actually appropriated, moi
where Il Ia most needed, but where it will
assist in the denomination of members o.
Congress. In that way 1t Is customary fol
Congress to appropriate $4,000 to 500,
900 for clearing the channel through tn,
Maumee Bay. This sum ia barely sufi
cient to keep the channel open in it's pres
ent inadequate capacity, and 100000 ma,
be expended annually for one hundred
thousand years, and the channel will b.
no better at the termination Of that periot
than 1t is to-day.
It is clearly for the interest OF Toled
and the section OF country tributary ohe
to secure the permanent Improvement Q
the channel through the Maumec Bay, an
in order to reap its full advantages, thi
should be made at once, ready for the in
anguration of direct European trade o
thecompletion OF the Canadian ship canal
To secure this result, Toledo should sen
one OF her most competent, energetic, an
honorable business nell TO Congress.
this crisis, she cannot afford to make III
congressional contest disgraceful fight b,
tween postmasters and revenue collectors
mere scrsmble over the distribution {
petty offices. Her future prosperity
largely dependent, we have not doub
upon the character OF her next Represen
ative in Congress. Will she fritter ava
, her opportunity, or will she take steps
5 protect her interests and secure future pro
5 perity?