The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1877-02-22
Canal and Railroad.

the people, but none ior acts Oh oenehcenee
and good government.
Canal and Railroad.
The issue presented at this time IN the
Legislature of Virginia is important to a
degree that should cause the representa-
tives Of the people OF Virginia to reflect
most earnestly before taking final action
with regard to it. ,is y
The question is complicated. The lead
ing known advocates OF the bit OF rail-
way tail.piece that is to be welded on TO the
canal are not understood as considering
that it raises the issue: canal or railway !?
| The fact that the James River and Kanawha
Canal Company, with its president at its
head, is proposing to build and manage the
road is circumstantial proof that there Is no
hostility and no issue between the two
modes Of improvement. And yet, supposing
they are correct, still all practical men
must know that the Intervention OF thirty
miles OF railway between the present emu
of the canal and the Chesapeake and
Ohio railroad must be tantamount
to an absolute obstruction OF any
useful intercourse between the canal and
the Chesapeake and Ohio railWay-the
through railway line from Virginia tide to
the Ohio Upon the mere ground of prac-
ticabllity the canal company could not rea-
| sonably agree to any such obstruction,
any such intervention, that must preclude
any efficient decentralization with the
Chesapeake and Ohio railroad such as would
be advantageous either to the canal or the
through line to the Ohio. -.t.
The president of the canal was at one
time of opinion chat to piece out the canal
to the through line at Clifton Forge with
thirty miles of raiI,cay would be fatal to the
canal. He has either changed his mind or
is so thoroughly convinced of his former
assertion that he is ready to inflict the death
which he formerly apprehended from the
thirty miles Of railway.
II the canal is to be valued at all, and to
be regarded as useful artery Of transport
tation, assuredly it should not be crippled
by the very absurd and very brief railway
to Clifton Forge. There can be no possible
Justification of such measure as long as
the canal is regarded as at all valuable.
If, ho,oeuer, the advocates of the " tail
piece" are governed by the opinion that
the canal is an utter failure and ought to be
abandoned, by all means there should be a
halt right roo. The questions that arise in
view OF such decisior-are too overwhelm-
ingly important to permit Of longer dis
cussion Of a measure contemptibly small By
comparison with the great subject that is
thrown upon the State. That subject is
immense. It involves important financial
questions for Virginia and questions of
great commercial interest to the State and
her cities. ...,...... ..- ri. .s...
The canal, whatever is said OF it, is
great property, and has no doubt excited
the acquisitive desires Of spectators and
railroad strategists. Any measure which
tends to cripple the canal and increase its
embarrassments imperils the property in
the canal, and increases the danger that may
lose altogether the control of Virginia over
it and sacrifice the interest Of her cities in
1t. We know how the railroad strategists
have marred our system of railways that
cost the people so many millions, until now
those who pay taxes to meet the interest on
that immense debt behold the chief benefits
Of those railways thrown into the marts Of
other States. The poor canal is nearly the
last property left to the old Commonwealth.
Involve that farther, and unless the Consti-
tuition be so amended as to enable Virginia
to rescue it, it will follow the other great
works built by the people for others good.
Let as haze a little. frankness. II the
canal is to be abandoned, in Gods name let
us know it. If it is to be abandoned we
are fools to be talking about a contemplate
s.tail- piece of railway" We must rise to a
higher and wiser view Of the situation.
We must not allow the ground to be occu-
pied by this hedgehog" Of a scheme,
which will soon practice the artifce Of its
predecessor, and take possession of the
"rabbit's bed" Independent Of the bust
ness of transportation the canal is rich in
its rents. These should be protected. And
never should Virginia part with the
line I. except for work that is
itself great, and upon a route. entirely in
harmony with the States Interest and with
the commerce Of her, own, cities. This we
boldly declare is position which the State
should assume, and no. amount of solicita-
ton and lobbying-.no quantity OF influence
known to these days.-should drive her
from that position .Todesert itlwould be
disastrous to herself and recrcant to the
taxpayers who are now oppressed with
burthens incurred for works that have been
perverted to the good and profit Of people
outside Of the State. :. -: Ia. ,.....,.....
II the canal is to be treasured and keptup,.
We say away with the,.sa. ail-piece." We.
would prefer infinitely that the work should
be entrusted to MASON. & Co.., in whose
hands. it. would, not deteriorate, and who.
would insure the preservation of its, in-
tegrity and protection by its completion to-
Clifton, Forge, the point Of connection with
the greet railwayto the Ohio river. IL is
difficult to Imagine how a; truly sagaciotis.
and wise man, who does not want the canal
can doubt for moment that
this Is the very best policy for Virginia. s.,,
80.