Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1885-06-05
Canal Meeting-The Stockholders of

the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal Company
met at Annapolis on Monday. At the meet
ing the States interests in the company were
represented by the Board of Public Works
NJ. L. Noerr represented the interests of the
United States Government, and Col. James
G. Berret and James L. Mcclure, private
stock. Governor Lloyd occupied the Chair
and Stephen Gambrill was Secretary.
Col. Victor Baughman, President of the
Canal Company, submitted his report, in
the course of which he says that the present
Board of Directors and himself found, upon
their assuming their positions in December
last, floating indebtedness Of $l6S,000.
There was no provision TO cancel it. Mr..
Baughman said that he had pursued a bust
ness course in conducting the affairs Of the
canal, and with beneficial results, notwith-
standing general prostration of trade.
The decrease in expenditures has been
$29 800, the result Of reduction in salaries
and wages, the discharge of useless and I'M
necessary employees, the consolidation of Of
fees heretofore held by different persons,
and careful supervision over every detail
of the whole work. This has not been done
at the sacrifice of necessary repairs or needed
work. The six months of the current year
embrace four months during which naviga-
ton was suspended. Since the opening Of
navigation universal stagnation has pre-
vailed. Thus the present administration
finds itself confronted by the heavy debt
left by its predecessor, and but little bust
ness. from the causes just alluded to, to pro.
duce u revenue .
An arrangement has been effected with
many coal companies for the transportation
of their products, but the stagnaton in the
business has delayed practical develop
ment. 70 secure this, the tolls were re.
duced to 20 cents, the lowest figure ever
charged during the history Of the canal.
From these causes, there has been decrease
in the revenues OF the canal, but should
business activity be resumed the canal will
be enabled to meet current expenses and the
interest upon the bonds issued under the Act
of 1878, Chapter So.
Upon assuming charge of the canal, the
present management found the company
without repairing material, which hal to be
bought at considerable expense. A large
Indebtedness was due 10 employees. TO pay
off this the board has negotiated the sale of
part OF the bonds of the Act of 1878, Chap
ter So, at SO cents, contingent upon the de-
,is ,,f Init tai Al,
case brought by ID. X. Stewart Monthly
reports have been required by superintend.
ents, and these have been of vast use 10 the
board. The basins at Georgetown and Cum.
bertrand have been cleaned, and ii new tres
tie for the cars built at Cumberland. The
locks are in fair condition, and il is unlor-
tunate that they cannot be heightened.
In the case of Charles Macalaster, who re-
covered Judgment Of 81, All 81 against the
canal, il has reached point where the $780,
600 bonds attached in the case have been re-
| leased from attachment. After the ID. X.
| Stewart case is decided all parties will have
II clear understanding of their rights, and
the canal will then be put on Il basis To earn
fair dividends. The work on the tow path
at Great Falls, at the expense Of the United
States Government, will be continued. The
dams at Little Falls, Seneca and Harper's
Ferry have required u great deal of work
and will in few days be so thoroughly re-
paired as TO afford the necessary water sup.
ply during the season.
.f.lt.
attended To than for years past, $4,000 hay-
ing already been collected-ncarly Us much
as was collected during 1884 The receipts
during the present administration have been
$55,74l9l; payments, $55, 26422
On motion of Comptroller Turner, the re-,
port was adopted referred to committee of
three, and the usual number directed to be
printed
The Governor appointed the following
as the committee on the Presidents report :
Comptroller Turner, representing the State
Nj. l.. Noerr, representing the United States
Government, and Jas. G. Berret, represent
ing the private stock
Col. Baughman was highly compimented
on his report.
The Scarcity Of Farm Hands,-Whilst
there are thousands OF laborers idle III the
cities of this and other States, there is a
great scarcity of farm hands in every drec-
ton. AS the summer advances the demand
for labor will increase, but from present in.
dications the supply will be very limited
1t is not difficult 10 see that these idle la.
borers and mechanics, who hang around the
: cities, are slow tp avail themselves of the
opportunity to secure places on farms. -
They dislike very much to leave their old
/ haunts AMI 20 into the country. The wages
Offered by the farmers may appear very low
10 men who have been accustomed to get
} from 81 to SO per day. These men should
remember that they are unaccustomed To
farm labor and therefore cannot get the
, wages of iirstclass farm hands. They are
J generally able bodied, intelligent men, how.
| ever, and would after awhile make superior
farm laborers.
Again, while the wages appear 10 be low
when 1t is considered that the men get free
board, and are not exposed to daily, almost
hourly, temptations to spend money use
lessly, they are much better off than when
they receive twice the amount in the cities
. The healthfulness of farm labor is another
thing that commends it, Men who leave
the cities pale and debiIitated from vitiated
old and irregular habits, soon become rudy
e and strong on the farm. The chances 70
: accommodating money and becoming tenan
e easily improved by industrious and fruga
2 laborers, and after awhile they are charme,