Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1877-04-27
Coal and Canal Interests,

! lating the rates on coal from the mines TO
Underwater We regret that our limited space
precludes The publication OF the correspond
ence in full, but the following able summary
of the same, from the Hagerstown Democrat,
will give our readers good idea Of the sub
jet discussed:
| We publish this week report on canal mat
| tiers by Mr.. German, its President, hich is Of
interest and importance 10 the people Of the
| State, and especially Of Western Maryland
| II indicates, or rather sets forth clearly, that
an issue has been made between The Chesapeake
and Ohio Canal and the Baltimore and Ohio
| Railroad, which must be settled by the people.
The letter addressed By Mr. German to Mr..
| Garrett, the President Of the railroad company,
is full of meaning, and it is equally significant
that the railroad company has not answered it,
| if there 10 any answer to the statements made
in that communication, the quicker 1t is made
the better for the railroad, If these two cor
poralions are at war with each other the people
W. I TO know it, and have right to take a
han in it. Both of them are indebted 10 the
State OF Maryland for their existence, and
much Of the money OF her citizens has been ex-
pended for their benefit. This is particularly
true of the canal, and any attack upon its
prosperity is direct assault upon the State.
There is no mead TO conceal the fact that the
people of Western Maryland are deeply inter-
ested in the canal and in whatever affect its
interests. 1t furnishes large class of her
population with labor and means OF living
il traverses four Of her counties and affords
valuable market for many Of her products
1t ought TO be a source of revenue 10 the State
and the public have been looking forward to
the time as not far distant, when the preferred
debt of the canal being paid off, the revenue
then going 10 the Stale will relieve her people
of State-iaxation. This being the cnse any
thing which cripples the interest of the canal
directly affects the tax-paying people. The
Baltimore and Ohio railroad is large and
prosperous corporation, managed with great
ability, and of great value and credit to our
people. 1t occupies position for power and
influence second TO no corporation IN the
union. Its rights aud interests should be pro-
tected, but, at the same time, they must be
subordinate to the interests and control Of the
State of Maryland. Neither directly or in
directly can il or any other corporation be per-
mitted TO adopt and execute a policy, the
result OF which will be TO advance its corpor-
ate interest at The expense of the people
A square issue between that railroad and the
canal is about TO be made up. In This matter, so
far, the railroad has kept silent and this does
not look we'll This is on important matter
for the people TO look into, for it is clear al
ready that their representatives. in the legisla-
ture will have to pass upon it, and 10 deter
mine where the right lies. Protecting and
fostering both corporations, the superior
interests and rights of the State must be
preserved.
The following special dispatch from: Cum
berland to the Baltimore Gazette, gives full
account Of the meeting held in the former
place on the 9Th instant, together with
synopsis os the able speeches of President
German and others:
The mass meeting, to discnss the canal coal
interests, reported briefly by telegraph, at the
| Academy OF Music last night, was one of the
| most imposing demonstrations ever held here
| The officers chosen were: President, Hon
| Lloyd Lowndes, Jr., vice presidents, John
Iumbird, D. c. Bruce, VIM. Piatt, Hopewel
| Hebb, Il. D, Johnson, T. B. Taylo Malcolm
Sinclair, f. Mertens and A Speir secretaries,
j. J. MclIonry and W. H. Lowdermilk
Mr. Lowndes returned thanks, and said that
The citizens Of Cumberland, irrespective OF
! party, had an interes. in the contest between
the Chesapeake and Ohio canal and the Bati-
more and Ohio railroad. Hon. A. F. German.
| president of the canal, addressed the meeting
| in his able manner. His sentiments were fire.
| qnently applauded. lie reviewed the policv
pursued by the canal last year, claiming that
now there is no man who will not say that
| policy was the only one that would have pre-
served what little trade the canal has He
discussed the condition OF the coal trade and
the injury done it by freight competitions He
said in substance as follows:
81 do not desire a Eght with the Baltimore
| and Ohio railroad company, a corporation
whish, as said before, is Of ineslimable beneli,
to the State of Maryland, and would not
strike at single one of its interests deeply
regret that struggle should have been forced
upon us. We hoped TO make such arrange
menis with the Baltimore and Ohio railroad
| company as would enable both to retain its
| trade, but 10 our astonishment they made
| cuts and offers 10 our best customers to OBJ
tain their whole business. We addressed a
respectful communication to the company but
got no reply We then resolved to cut down
the tolls; we did so, and have retained d por-
lion at least of our trade, and, so help me
heaven, will hold it all if ] have TO throw
the canal open 10 all at ten cents q ton =
Loud ana continued applause. We would
not make war upon the railroad or have you
do it, for that great work is important to you
and to us all, and with q fair competition the
canal nor its friends need not fear it; all they
want is that. Applause You ask me what
is the result Of it all 1t is to the canal
company the loss of all surplus revenue and
of course of profit. But those greatly interested
have expressed their entire approval; the
bondholders have said 10 me GO ahead aud
prosecute measures 10 hold your business
we are content to wait for our interest if YOU
can hold your business" Applause To
you it is loss OF aa immense amount of
money that formerly circulated in your city
over half a million of dollars, in the loss of
| la tha nal No. 4.
own hands. The State can help YOU but YOU
can help yourselves by building railroad over
the hills TO the western coal region, 10 bring
coal here, and when it is here no railroad
company in the United States can compete
with the Chesapeake and Ohio canal in carry
ing it. Applause do not believe, how
ever, that such extreme measure will be
necessary. Now know that the talk about
new railroad TO the mines has been worn
threadbare. | once almost gave up the hope
of making any one believe that the building
OF the road is necessary, but now that the
crisis is upon us there is no one who does ap-
precae the contest or sRy man free from
any other interest who is not ready to Join
rou in forwarding the enterprise You can
aid in the project by proper agitation at home,
and by carefully selecting your representatives
to the next Assembly Of the Statesmen who
will go there with an eye single to your bestin-
teresls-aud they will be backed by US of the
lower end Of the State. There is no occasion for
an attack on the BALTIMORE and Ohio railroad
company, as il is not war that we want. If that
company will only protect the canal with
proper rates, do not want war minute after
that. Then let 1t go on with its mission and
build up the State but, for tho common inter-
est of all the people of the State, move step
| by step with the canal, aud let us both live,
If we can" Applause,
Hon. Henry W. Hoffman was the next
sneaker lie nrpni all To nnhnlh Tho hnnns ~