The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1879-02-13

the corpse beneath the provisions OF this
bill, and take possession of the effects.
The report limited at the Indifference, not
to say, hostility, of Richmond towards the
canal, and the unfriendly attitude of the city
authorities. Other extracts were rich IN
facts and arguments; and spoke Of the i'm
mense value of the property.
But we were now told that the Canal
company is exceedingly anxious for the pas
sage of the bill. lie must be excused, if he
could not keep pace with them in their rap
id changes of opinion.
President Johnson's report objected to
the r. & A. because it made no effort for a
settlement with the canal creditors, because
it proposed to transfer to strangers without
dollar of consideration, what had cost
millions, and giving them irreyocable con-
troll Of the James River Valley; because it
gave the railroad company sixty days or-
ton and because it proposed to abandon
the well considered policy Of our Legisla-
ture and people-the keeping up and exten.
sion of the canal.
1t was no reply to say that the President
had changed his opinions-facts and argu-
ments were eternal. And when did this
change come DER the spirit Of these railroad
corporators' dream? November Is, 1878,
not ninety days ago, the Vice President
of the railroad wrote to President johnson
that the Assembly having authorized the
railroad to purchase the privileges of the
canal, he had been for some tine maturing
plans to begin construction that it was ap-
parent that some parts of the canal works
were essential to the cheap and early con-
appointed a committee to confer and estab-
fish basis of co operation with the Canal
company and requesting the appointment
of Committee of Conference, and failing
in this they had no purpose to continue op-
erations further.
1t was now proposed, however, to capture
the whole property, and gentlemen sur
prised at the easy capture, doubtless regret
that they did not charge for taking the canal
off the hands Of the Company, as keenly as
did the old avaricious lawyer, who, readily
receiving from a client d fee Of 500, wrthed
in an agony of remorse because he had not
charged 5000; and doubtless called to mind
the reply of Lord arraigned for en-
riching himself ip the India which he had
conquered-tllat he was astonished at his
own moderation. The r, &. A. Co. was
doubtless astonished at its own modera ton
in taking the canal without charging some
thing to putt in repair.
The bill gave the company absolute and
everlasting control Of James river from its
source to tide water; were members thus
disposed to transfer the dear old river? The
Company could erect dams wherever they
chose, and for al. practical purposes had alb
solute ownership.
The danger of a sale under mortgage fore
closure was a bugaboo which need not vex
gentlemen's souls; the sagacious. far seeing
leaders of Richmond would never see the ca
nal pass into hands that would use it to her
prejudice.
The canal debt had been magniied as Inn
mense, but the revenue, even during the
past runous years was almost enough to
pay interest on debt, and the President had
asserted his belief that the completion of
the Clifton Forge road would enable the
Company to pay all its debts except those
due to cities and the State.
lie described the provisions of the bill in
troduced last session for a State commission
for the sale of the canal. and read from
President Us. report urging the appoint
ment of commissioners.
He objected to the arbitrary powers con-
ferred by the bill. Give this corporation
such footllold and you cannot check it;
strong, disciplined and organized, it will
bid you defiance. and give you battle in the
courts. 1t would be unwise to pass this bill
now; for months schemes had been on foot
to obtain these franchises which are now de-
clared worthless, and the scheme demanded
examination.
Our old Commonwealth was worn down
by debt, her creditors were now at her
doors to arrange compromise of debts she
could not pay, all her institutions were dis
organized for want of money; her peni ten
tiary was almost in ruins, her creditors
clamorous for their dues, and yet it was
proposed to throw away the property of the
State, and this was advocated by the officer
who only sixty days ago was dilating upon
the value OF this very property.
Was it right to give it away without pay,
without even voice in its management p
He was willing to do all in his power to pre-
serve the honor and pay the debt of the
State, but not to give away property which
he deemed OF such great value.
When the hour of settlement with West
Virginia came we should be asked what we
had done with the property which had cost
the State s12,OoO,OOO. ''We have transferred
it to railroad
''Have you any interest in that road?"
"None we gave it away"
Could we afford to give away road which
could be completed for $4,000 900? Would
it not be better to sell it, to invite proro-
sails? President johnson had said that in
three months the canal would be in bet
ter condition than ever against floods. This
had been done by the States convict labor
and now it was proposed to give it away
He would be glad to see Richmond buy the
Canal Company's interest, but would con-
sent to give them to no one. He loved not
Richmond less, bat the Old Dominion more,
PLASTER OF PARIs.-Plaster Paris may
be made very quick by mixing it in warm
water to which a little sulphate of potash
soaked in melted paraffine, may be readily
| cut or turned in lathe. They may be rem
| dered very hard and tough by soaking them
in warm glue size until thoroughly saturat-
ed, and allowing them to dry.
| Plaster of Paris mixed with equal parts
| of powdered pumice stone makes a fine
mould for casting fusible metals; the same
mixture is useful for incasing articles to be
soldered or .brazed.
| Casts of Plaster of Paris may be made to
initiate fine bronzes, by giving them two OF
three coats of shellac varnish, and when dry
applying a coat OF mastic varnish, and dust.
| ing ON fine bronze powder when the mastiC