Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1886-03-26
TIE NEW CANAL BILL.

The bill reported TO the Senate and now
under consideration by Senator Bcwlus,
chairman of the joint special committee on
the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal, with refer.
ence to the sale Of the same, presents on Its
face character Of fraud, want of regard
Tor State and individual interest such as we
have not witnessed since the days when
some OF our Southern sister States became
the prey of bankrupt politicians and adven-
turers from the North. In other words, we
regard it as deliberate and systematic at.
tempt TO grab every dollar of the States in.
terest, for it postpones all its liens as an in.
daceneht TO some wealthy individuals or
corporation 10 take charge of it.
The indications are sufficient to warrant
the assertion, that the great object aniici.
pated in the passage of this bill, is TO afford
certain heavy foreign capitalists owning
immense coal interests in West Virginia to
become the purchasers. In which event, it
Is publicly asserted, a railroad will be built
from Williamsport TO Cumberland, where
II will connect with the Cumberland and
Piedmont Railroad and thence connect with
the West Virginia Central Railway Com.
pany. That such result would be fatal TO
the canal and D serious blow at the best in
tercs,s Of Western Maryland, every reflect
ing mind mnst concede.
We are unwilling to entertain, for mo
ment, the idea that the Legislature Of Mary.
land will seriously entertain or be party TO
such an outrageous fraud. Every feeling of
State pride, every sense OF right, every Oh
legation Of honor, should cause il 10 turn
aside from an act Of such injustice and moral
turpitude.
The Baltimore Sun, always careful and
judicious In It's utteranccs. pens the follow.
ing signifcan. article with reference to this
bill;
Whatever may be the real purpose of the
bill reported TO the Senate by The Joint com
mittee on the Chesapeake and Ohio cMal.
1t looks very much on its face as If the canal
as waterway was about TO give up the
ghost. The first section Of the bill empowers
the president and directors Of the canal
company TO contract with individuals or
corporations, upon such terms aud tor such
time as they may think proper" for the
construction and use upon the property of
the company, and so near its waterway
'ds 10 Be capable Of use" as means Of traction
for boats upon the canal, a railroad or sec.
ton Of q railroad along its line, "or along
the line Of parts thereof capable Of being
operated" by steam locomotive Engines for
the use of the railroad, "ahd means of
traction for boats upon the ANAL" The
written approval of a major ydf the board |
Of public works is TO be inc fsed on said
contract The second sectie provides thai
10 event Of Ruch contract, dc liens of Inc.
State upon the railrosd, its tolls aud all its |
corporate property are and shall he post. |
poned to the ownership rights and claims !
OF the individuals or corporations building |
said railroad, or otherwise owning said |
revenues. Tho third section authorizes the
parties building the railroad 10 acquire other
necessary property By condemnation or pur |
chase. This act, which is 10 take effect from
its passage, 10 quite as remarkable for what
II does not contain as for what II does, aud
that Ia saying great deal. II is worthy Of