Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1884-03-15

thousand fortunes. For thirty-three
years the canal has performed an i'm
portant part in the commercial history,
not only of this city and county, but
of the State also. Its construction
was indeed fortunate for Cumberland
for less than two years after it was
opened to business our city lost the
immense traffic it had enjoyed ever
since the Baltimore and Ohio railroad
was completed to this point. The ex-
tension OF the latter to Wheeling in
January, 1852, diverted the stream of
travel and freight from the National
road and administered to Cumberland
the severest blow it ever felt. The
opening of the canal gave the city
some relief, and the business conse-
quent thereon came to be eventually of
more Importance to US than that of any
other enterprise within our reach.
OF late years, however, we have
come to feel the need of something
more. AS special favor to Cumber-
land the Baltimore and Ohio railroad
company about thirteen years ago ac-
cepted q piece of ground from the city,
which cost our taxpayers twenty thou
sand dollars, and erected a rolling mill
which now gives employment 20 over
five hundred people. This is the great
est favor ever bestowed upon Cumber
land by this great corporation, now
trying to get hold of the Chesapeake
and Ohio canal to work it for the trus-
tees of the bondholders.
The Daily Neus seems to favor the
lease of the canal and says:
If the lease of the canal as provided for i'll
the bill now before the Legislature shall be
made in good faith, and the property there
under properly managed, we see no harm
that could result to our community. But if
the lease means sale, Of course We are
against it.
The machine democrats Of the State, who
use and expect and intend to use the canal as
factor in the politics of their party, are al
ways to be counted upon to oppose anything
looking to curtailment of their advantages,
and hence expect to find them always among
the opposition.
In other words, the Nescs would pre-
fer to see the canal leased rather than
see it used for political purposes. But,
judging from the political history OF
the county for several years past one
would suppose the canal, instead of
being some benefit to the democrats,
was an injury. as the republicans gen.
orally have elected majority of can
didates on their ticket.
The Daily Times, of course, is OPP
posed to the lease of the canal, anG
prophesies dire calamity to this city il
case such an event should take place.
The Times has written several interest
ing editorials on the subject of the sale
or lease of the canal lately and in one
of them says:
But for the leading spirits in this move
ment we would laugh at the proposition to
lease or sell the canal. We would trust the
honor of the State and the spirit of justice in
the members of the Legislature that no
wrong would be permitted against the second
interest in Maryland. But these men will
point to their bonds they will cry for inter
est on their bonds; they will have what is
nominated in their bonds;' they will tell
the Legislature that nothing but outlay has
been the States misfortune since she gained
control of the canal, and now they propose to
put $4,000 yearly into her treasury. But
will they say anything abeut the suffering in
Western Maryland occasioned thereby? Will
they tell of the thousands Of canal men
thrown out Of employment; of the ruined
merchants along the 1874 miles of water way
will they talk of the disastrous effects to til,
city Of Cumberland. with its 1900 inhab:-
tants and its large business interests of the
idle boat-yards that would close forever; OF
the 400 useless boats which have cost 81, OOU
each, and in many of which the last dollar
of boatmen is invested? Oh, no, They
don't talk ofthese things; but they will count
over their hordes, add up their millions;
count the revenue to them when bonds are
appreciated to double their present value. 1t
matters nothing to them if the poor suffer if
business men fail, SO that they make their
cent per cent in their speculations.
CADMUS.