The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1877-05-03
The James River Canal and the Board
OF Public Works.

OF Public Works.
- za. RICHMOND. May 3, 1877.
Editors -Dispatch:. Feeling, as we ever
shall, deep interest in the affairs OF the
James River and kanawha canal, we can
not resist the temptation to express our
surprise at, and condemnation OF, the pro-
ceedings OF its managers in calling gene
raj meeting after only two days notice, re-
ceiving the resignation OF the president OF
the company, and eaeeting his successor,
and that against the earnest protest of the
gentlemen representing the interest Of this
city-a people probably more interested in
the canal than any other portion OF the
State. It has very much the appearance to
us thatthe thing was cut and dried, and in
tended to thWart the action of our Legisla-
tire. til Is well known that a majority OF
orr people favor the water-line, having at
two successive sessions condemned the rail-
road policy-at the: first session by vote
land the only decisive one as to their pre-
ference, because then there were no compli-
cations) of 81 to,24, or 43 majority, and at
the last session by a vote Of 60 to 43, II ma
FORTY, though IL it had been an original
proposition the majority would have been
larger than before. ~ q ~ ~: i:
The Senate, which in 1875 passed the rail-
road bill, in 1877 reversed its action, and
for a.Yeto by Governor Kemper (who am
sure will live TO regret the exercise of the
power in this easel, which went counter to
bis own action in several other cases, and
against the declared policy OF the Board Of
Public Works, Of which he is member.
AT the late meeting Of the stockholders OF
the James River and Kanawha Canal Com
pany the Board Of Public Works instructed
the State proxies rs follows:
"RIcHMoND, April -, 1877.
"Whereas the Board of Public Works
favor the policy OF connecting the waters
Of the James ana Great Kanawha rivers by
canal, and favor the extension Of the James
River and KanaWha canal to point on the
Chesapeake .and Ohio railroad at or near
Clifton Forge as soon as practicable In ac-
cordance with that policy; and whereas the
<act to incorporate the Buchanan and Cliff
to the capital stock thereof approved
March FL, 1876, Is still In force; and whereas
it is desirable to construct such speedy
means OF transpo between Buchanan
and Clifton Forge as shall not obstruct. but
promote, the ultimate extension OF the canal
inaccordance with the policy aforesaid
Now, therefore, the proxies represent
Ing the State in the James River and Ka-
nawha Company are hereby authorized and
directed to exert all necessary and practi-
cable means and efforts within their char
tered powers to carry into effect the said
act according to the true meaning and In
tent thereof, provided that nothing shall be
done to interfere with or to impair or di-
minlsh the binding obligation OF the ninth
section OF said act. = tes-Ss Sa.s
But IN February, 1876, their policy wss
declared TO be, to take no action until the
s bill OF the Legislature was 9nnnJInned. and
this Inconsistency Ia not cured by that
clause which refers to the g binding ebli-
gnsicn OF the ninth section y OF the act Of
1916, which says the Buchanan and Clifton
Forge railroad shall not interfere with the
line OF the James River and Kanawha canal
without their consent; but that it may
Grant the right 70 oceapy any portion oil
tts works witch subsequently can only be
feelafp,ed by payfnent OF damages.
As the Janles River and KanaWha Canal
company Is by hocus.pocns the Buchanan