Morning journal and courier., 1880-03-10

unsettled, but short, to the extent of the time
 beyond his death for which he had been paid,
 and some thoughtless (to say the least) Treasu- ry official wrote s'defaulter" against the hon.
 ored name. We are glad to know that the at
 tention of Senator Platt has been called to
 the matter, and that he will not rest till the
 Treasury record of the patriot and hero is left
 as spotless and untarnished as was his whole life, both public and private.
 The Presidents message on the Isthmus
 canal is an admirable document. It is short
 but comprehensive, and though moderate in
 tone it asserts with perfect pIainness of speech
 two grand cardinal principles which must be accepted and acted upon by anybody who un- dertakes to construct an interoceanic canal through the Isthmus of Darien. It is, more- over, seasonable declaration of policy, in asmuch as no European Government had as- sumed any protection over the canal, while at the same time it may be assumed that no capi- tal of considerable consequence has been sub- scribed either in France or elsewhere. The
 field is clear, and before it is occupied it be- hooves this nation to assert it's sovereignty
 beyond misunderstanding. It may be taken for granted that the policy of the United
 States as declared by President Hayes will meet with no protest elsewhere, and that all Governments eventually interested in the canal will give The American doctrine their tacit consent, their implied approval or their ex- plieit support. They cannot reasonably find any fault with It.
 Byineton has been interviewing members in regard to their Presidential pref erences." He finds that though the Springfield Republican has put Senator Platt at the head of Blaine boom in this State, the truth is the Senator is not heading anybody's boom just now, but is outspoken, enthusiastic and pronounced for the man who shall be nominated at Chicago. General Hawley would prefer Senator Edmunds. An extract from the Courant General Hawley's paper) in another column contains some reasons why Edmunds should be nominated. Representa- tive Miles plants himself squarely on Senator Platt's platform, while Colonel Waite would be delighted if as able and pure and deserving 8 man as John Sherman should be nominated, and yet he pledges his best efforts for Blaine, Grant, or any other stalwsrt, who shall be nominated as our next standard bearer. Rep resentative Phelps prefers ex-Gov. English to any other Democratic Presidential candidate, but is evidently much afraid that Tilden will bear of the Democratic nomination. He is sure Grant is to be nominated by the Republicans and is glad of it, as he believes he will be easier defeated than Sherman, Blaine, Wash burne or Edmunds.
 Work was begun last week on the Cape God ship canal, in order that the charter might not run out. Now that ground has been broken the charter gives three years for completion, but the engineers expect that not more than two will be necessary. The authorized capital is $4,0o0,o and it is proposed to go on with the work at once, with a capital of $2,ooo, 900. The greater part of this has been subscribed by New York capitalists. The route follows natu- ral valley, just where the cape joins the main land, and is about seven and one-half miles long. Monument river will be dredged, and the bay also, for distance of a little over GWO Iuu66. 1ul5 HOEh Wk1A OO OCSoh @S HA6~- wam Point No contracts have been let, and the work will most likely be carried on by the company for some time. Where the Old Colony road crosses the canal, drawbridge will be built, and probably another at the crossing of the highway. At either end of the proposed route is a river. The Monu- ment river flows into Buzzards bay, having a tide which extends three miles inland. At the other side the Scusset river, emptying in to Barnstable bay, stretches up into the mar row neck of land until the divide between the two streams is lessened to about three-quar- ters of mile. This ridge is only little over twenty-five feet above high water at Massa- chusetts bay, and as this is the highest point in the route, the practicablity of sea level canal, so far as the general trend of the land enters into the question, is seen at once.