The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1877-12-03
Canal or Railroad.

| 4 fhlnk IO1U SOtDc Va 10 WIZ haFC bSei
steadfast friends OF the canal are now il
danger OF going to the opposite extreme
giving M the canal wholly and advocating
a railroad in its place on its towpath.
cannot agree to this. 1t is not certain that
the cana-bank is the proper place for q
railroad; it may be, and l think Will be,
found that il that mode OF transportation
is elected, that its track will be by the short
line from IyncbburS, and entirely away
| from the river: the saving ID distance,
| which is something like one third, being a
full compensation for greater expense IN
getting the same low grade. But this is an
engineers question, which it will take time
to decide; and Richmond has no time TO
lose. Equally will it take time to build the
road on either route. and good round sum
of money. And where is that to come
| from The trade TINT Richmond receives
bv the canal is too important to be
intermitted until such questions are settled.
She wants it now; suffers from want Of it
to-day, and something should be done at
once for the speedy relief of herself and
those who trade with her. That something
is the repair OF the canal-bank, step which
will be necessary il the railroad is to run
along that bank, and very cheap as sub
stitute for the Sbort-Line railroad, If that is
TO take the place of the canal. | have not
the figures at hand TO prove it. but it is not
necessary to attempt to prove to any bust
ness-man OF Richmond that the amount re-
quired to repair the canal at the estimates cf
its president is all incorSidcrable levy on
the trade it brings. II when the breaks oc-
Cured in 1870 Richmond contributed $780,
900 OF the 1910, 600 that were then expended
in repairs. she certainly can now contribute
$50. 900. or one fifth part, to like purpose.
And this il all that is WG7tcd-in fact,
it is more; for the president only aSTs
for 100000 in ali, including $25.000
from Richmond for repairs from here
to Lynchburs, and $4,000 from Rich
mond and LyHchburg for repairs west
Ok Lynchbur@; his sum OF 100000 and
The labor OF the conricts, estimated at $50
700. End contributed by the Statc-ln all Il
little more than one third the damage done
by the fresh OF 1&10-heing declTed SUI
fcicnt to put the clHai in the order it ;3as be-
ore the fresh. iii tlr above ratio CT con-
sibltion, Richmond, who may be regarded
IT the light OF the NAM stakeholder, would
rave to carry 4 less loss than any leading
reigit railroad in the atate; and yefshe
$ laare interested in the canal than are'any
stockholders in their railroad; for the fire ight
lSch - Il w st<ShhohU' DtI hO
'ailroa,i has hesitated to- take prompt steps
O rebuild its brid ges ana repair its tracks,
hough in some cases TIE loss will not fall
hort of 100000.
II" Richmonti will furnish her quota
promptly understand mat the president
ypeCts to open the canal to Columbia by
he first of February. to Gynchburg by the
irst OF March and Buchanan by the first
# June. ....-
II this calculation OF time is deemed e.,
rayagant, can only saEtilat I believe it
an be done, because the president says It
an. know him very well, and though I
AVE opposed his railroad or tail-piece
policy with all my migha,,I should be ur-
ust TO him anGto my own convictions it I
allied 10 testify to his ability, energy, per-
istence,, and administrative ability. From
what Z know Of him am willing to trust
lin, and congratulate the company and
be city of Richmond on having him in such
/ place at such time. II Richmond is
wise she win second his efforts very heart
", and so haze the canal restored in short
ime..
As I thus appear as u. witness, volun-
Ger, to the capacity ana accomplishments
II gentleman whom I know better than
most Of my felfow-citiZens co, it VIII not
hope, be uabecoming in me to sign my
name. FRANK ". hIff w.
December I, 1871.