Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1879-12-20

HIS VIEWS AS STATED 10 A WASHINGTON NAN
In a recent conversation with gentleman Of
this city Gen. Grant entered quite fully into the
whole subject OF the projected inter-oceanic
canal, and without reservation stated his pre-
else views on this question. He remarked that
his interest in the construction Of an inter-
oceanic canal was no new thing: that he had
visited in early life those sections of country
where it was proposed to locate a work of this
character, and was familiar with the topo-
graphical and physical conditions Of the differ.
ent routes; that before his occupation OF the
Presidential office the subject had been largely
considered by Secretary Seward, and negotia-
lions were entered into looking to such conces-
s1ons, as were necessary to insure the proper
protection OF any enterprise that might be in
augurated for the construction Of canal but
owing to various endorsements and delays
no actual progress was made; that when he be-
came President the subject was resumed, and
(as will be remembered) number of surveying
parties were sent out to explore all posi-
suits Of these surveys were placed in
the hands OF commission, of which
Admiral Ammen and other distinguished scient-
lists were members; that the French project of a
canal by way OF the Isthmus of Panama was
absolutely fmpracticable; that the digging Of
ditch from ocean to ocean would be the least of
the difficulties OF that route; that the deficient
natural facilities for drainage would at certain
seasons of the year lead to great destruction
of the works.
Without going into the details of the Tehanu-
tepec and other routes be said, that he agreed
with the results reached by the commission,
that the Nicaraguan route presents all the con.
capaling was the minimum, and the country
afforded Sufficient water courses and other
means OF drainage to prevent the destruction Of
the works during their construction.
After other details; showing his intimate
knowledge of the whole subject, General Grant
alluded to the projected organization of the
company, and remarked that the proposition to
secure for it an act of Incorporation by the state
of New York would answer no practical pur-
pose in view of the international character OF
the work; that in order to bring the enterprise
into such an attitude where 1t would receive
proper recognition at the hands OF foreign capt.
talsts, it would be absolutely necessary that
the act Of Incorporation should be granted by
the Congress of the United States; that without
this 1t was plain to him the work would have
nothing more than the force of private enter
prise. By giving it national recognition it would
be understood to have the authority as well as
the protection of this government and this
being. understood by foreign governments it
In regard to his acceptance of the presidency
of the company Gen. Grant said that that was
matter for future consideration; that of course
he would always feel an interest in the success
OF the work, but felt that in the beginning it
should be given the elements of success by a
proper organization. In speaking OF Admiral
much energy in furthering the preliminaries of
this great work, and, If it should be successful,
that success would be largely due to him.
BRILLIANT RECEPTION TO GEN. AND MRS
GRANT-Mr. A. j. DreXel, the well-known
banker of Philadelphia, rendered reception
yesterday evening, at his residence in West
Philadelphia, to General and Mrs. Grant. One
Thousand Invitations were issued and at least
200 ladies and gentlemen attended. Hon. VIM.
N. Evarts, Hon. j. A. j. Creswell, Hon. John j.
Knox, Hon: John Sherman, Senator j. Don Cam
erOn and wife, Admiral Ammen and wife, Mr..
De Franco Hon. John Welsh, Hon. A. E. Borie
and wife, GOV: Hoyt and wife, Hon. W. s.
Lispenard Stewart, J., Pierrepont Morgan,
Charles Lanier, Mr.. and Mrs. Geo. w. Chflds,
Gen. Robert Patterson, John w. Garrett, j.
Hanson Thomas, Mayor Latrobe, OF Baltimore,
Gov. Carroll, of Maryland, and all of the judges
of the city OF Philadelphia were among those
present.
SENATOR BLAINE SPEAKS AT MAINE INDIG-
NATION MEETING.-An indignation meeting was
held, last night, in Augusta, Me-, to protest
against the action Of the Governor and couacil
In changing the political complexion of the
Legislature. Senator Blaine made speech in
which he charged that there was a conspiracy
to change the result and deprive the people Of
their choice. He claimed that the grave de-
fectS said to have been found in the returns
were but trif11ng ones. such as the omission to
dot an II" or cross 't,'' The meeting was
very enthusiastic.