Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-05-15
TEE BARGE CANAL SCHEME.
Mr.. Alexander Curtis Tells what the
Inoorporators of the Company Pro-
pose to DO

Mr.. Alexander Curtis Tells what the
Incorporators of the Company Pro-
pose to Do.
4 MORNING NEWS reporter called yes
terday upon Mr.. Alexander Curtis, Sec
rotary Of the meeting Of ineorporators OF
the Atlantic and Mexican Gulf Canal
Company, held on Tuesday. In reply to
an inquiry that gentleman stated that the
meeting on Tuesday was very satisfae-
tory. He also stated that legal
organization had become absolutely
necessary for the transaction OF the
business. and while the incorporators had
no objection 10 any member OF the oody
working actively In furthering the object
Of the charter. they did, very strongly, OBJ
Ject 10 the isolated action Of one or two OF
the members holding meetings and pass
ing resolutions in an informal manner.
Referring to the interview Win Ten.
McLaws. published in Sundays MORN
ING NEWS. Mr.. Curtis SAID: MANY
of the statements made BY Gen. Nc
Laws are a surprise to the lncorpOratOrs,
most Of whom have never been
informed Of any such meetings, open
ing Of books, subscriptions 10 stock, or
subsequently sales of such stock. 1t IS to
be presumed. therefore, that the infOrma-
llUu ldllEu 10 reach AAAOSC AANlnS a. q us
lance. as well as Col. Rogers, who, although
resident in Savannah, had never been
informed Of any meetings, nor invited TO
purchase stock.
Gen. McLaws conveyed the idea
that all the members Of the incorporation,
save himself and Mr.. Sheppard. had le-
gally forfeited their interests in the char
tiers. Such may be the case with some Of
those not present, but according to the
ouinidn Of he aor1nEQ1 rpVrpgpntlOu the
incorporators such certainly had not been
the case with them. In the case Of Gen.
J. J. Finley. who had, no doubt,
signed a certain document submitted to
him, but under the gTavest possible mis-
Apprehension, while in the case OF others
no application to TenOunce their rights,
directly or indirectly, had been made at
all"
Are the incOrpOrators proceeding IN
der the advice Of counsel"
Certainly. All our action has been
taken under the advice and special direc-
ton Of Hon. j. r. Saussy, who, from the
first and after the most careful study of
the case. has no doubt Of the necessity Of
a legal organization / may add that
upon the invitation Of Gov. Drew Mr..
Saussy attended in person the meeting
on Tuesday, reviewed his former opinion,
and took care that all the necessary steps
should be done according to law and in
order.''
"Do you know anything Of the New Or
leans company alluded to by Gen. Nc
Laws"
"Only incidentally; but we shall be
very happy to hear from and cooperate
with them, in case negotiations at pres
ent pending with other parties should not
prove satisfactory. Right here l would
remove a misrepresentation not unlikely
TO follow from the statement made in
Tuesdays NEWS: Our incorporation has
10 idea Of entertaining any propositions
or aiding in the construction of any other
canal than that for which we have so long
striYen, advocated and ATTAINED charters,
viz: that known originally as the
Raiford canal. and more recently
as the Gilmore canal, it being the route
recommended to the Senate by that dis
tinguished engineer, and the plans for
which-cOmmencing at St. Mary's, tray-
ersing the OkefinOkee swamp, debouch-
ing at st. Marks, and continued thence to
New Orleans-based on Gen. GilmOre's
surveys and reports, have long since been
lodged with our Legislature"
rs there any probability OF beginning
work at an early day."
''We have every reason to hope so. Be
sides parties at present negotiating with
us in London and the company alluded to
in Tuesdays paper indications are not
wanting of at least two other not i'm
probable candidates for the work. You
may rest assured. however, that now that
our board has been put on a legal and
practical basis, our utmost diligence will
be used to secure the cooperation Of
capitalists to carry on the work"