The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-07-02
And There is Little Prospect that Aid viii BE
Extended Unless the National Author
tiles Take Entire Control.
of Knowing What You
Want When Asking for a Consulate.
What Might Have Happened if Kelley Had
Gone to Italy--Convict Labor on Gov
ernment Buildings-Capital Notes.
TIE ERIE CANAL,
Speculation as to Whether the Government
Will Extend Financial Aid.


Will Extend Financial Aid.
Special to the Indianapolis journal.
WASHINGTON, July 1.-Some of the newspa-
pers of the State of New York are vigorously ag-
itating the question of federal aid for the Erie
canal. Aside from few newspapers directly on
the route of this important waterway, it seems
to be the general impression that the federal
government alone can save this highway Of com
merce, and that the people of the State of New
York will not submit to further taxation to en-
large and improve it. Some suggestions have
been made as to how to proceed to secure the ac-
ton of Congress, and it is urged that the work
should begin now and that those interested
should place before every member of Congress
the facts and figures relating to this canal, to-
gether with an appeal for congressional aid.
Your correspondent interviewed gentleman
who has been an active member of the committee
on railroads and canals in the House. and who
will probably again fill chair in that commit
tee-rOOm.
What are the prospects" asked, 'for
congressional action in aid of the Erie canalf
II think" he said, that the prospects of con-
gressional interference with any canal are de-
cidedy slim. Still if we get action upon the
Hennepn scheme, which is really proposition
to connect the waters of the Mississippi with
| those of the great lakes, and thereby to estab
lish a continuous waterway from the upper
waters of the Mississippi to New York city, there
is no doubt that Congress would listen to prop
osition to take hold of the Erie"
''Do you think this would be done in the form
of grant to New York State for the purpose of
deepening the channel and enlarglng the locks,
as was proposed by two New York members of
the last CongressF
"No, lam inclined to think thatwhen the United
States takes hold of the Erie it will be to assume
entire control over it. I do not think that a
proposition to donate to the State of New York
from one to twenty millions of dollars even for
so good purpose as this, could ever run the
gauntlet of the economists of the House. / do
believe, however, that, rather than see their
highway which has proved of such vast i'm
portance to commerce in the past, filed up,
Congress would be willing to assume entire con-
troll, and in that event there is no doubt that
permanent and important improvements would
| very soon follow
Then you do not believe that the days of
canal usefulness have passed away"
''Certalnly not. In TACT, think that the time
will come when we shall have line of canals
inside our coast and along our northern frontier,
SO that it will be possible to draw our supplies,
in case of war, from the immense arsenal on
the Mississippi river and in order that our
commerce and cities Oh the lakes may
be protected. AS it is now England
would have an enormous advantage of us in case
of hostilities She could run a heavy draft
gunboat up the st. Lawrence ard through the
Welland canal into Lake Erie, and could thereby
destroy the cities Of Buffalo, Toledo Detroit,
Chicago and Milwaukee before we could do any
thing to prevent it; whereas if we had the Erie
canal so deepened as to admit the passage of
gunboats through its waters there would be no
danger of any such surprise as this"
"Do you expect that any serious attempt will
| be made to pass the Hennepin canal bill again
| next session."
"Why, serious attempt s in progress now
and actively at work among new members, and
they expect good many recruits. In fact,
have no idea that any river and harbor bill can
pass the House during the Forty ninth Congress,
unless it is by og-roling combination which
will include the passage of the Hennepin canal
bill"
What in your estimation, is the easiest plan
for the New York members to secure considera-
ton for their bil?"
Join the procession" was the laconic reply.