Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1888-01-27
The Chesapeake and Ohio Canal.


The Chesapeake and Ohio Canal.
The Committees on Internal Improvement
held joint meeting on Thursday evening Of
last week in the House chamber, at Annapolis,
and Senator McKaig and DR.. Wootton, chair
men, heard delegates from Western Maryland
in behalf of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal
The members of the Legislature from these
counties and number of others were present.
Senator McKaig read the memorial Of the
canal union meeting recently held at Cum
berland 10 show that the delegations were
present as a legislative committee from that
meeting to bring the canal question before
the Legislature
Mr.. Robert R. Henderson, of Allegany, first
addressed the joint committee. He said the
repair-bond lease of $500, 900 is a first mort
gage on the canal, and the constitution pro-
hibts the State from apprOpriating money TO
relieve the canal. He understands Il plan of
relief is proposed by purchasing majority of
the repair bonds for the state sinking funds. He
thought the State could buy at least 1921 900
OF these bonds, and the State would only be
risking the interest on that amount. The
canal last year was nearly self-sustainng, and
there is prospect for q better business. 1t
will give the canal chance to prove that by
economical management the canal can be
made self-sustaining. Capt. Friend, of Gar
| they want the canal maintained as a water
way to tide. Mr.. John T. DeSellman, of
Montgomery, gave a history Of the construc-
| ton of the canal and the part the general
government had in it. He described the i'm
| portance of the water power of the Potomac.
The canal is on our hands, and it is be de-
cided what is to be done with II. The prop
erty along it has advanced very largely. IF
the water is let out of it what is to become Of
81 at sd IL
| Mr.. Wv. Bouic, Jr., of this county, said
he has no personal interest in the canal, but
the people along the canal have vital inter-
est in the perpetuation Of this canal. The
purpose of the meeting was to stimulate the
Legislature TO efforts to preserve the canal.
He objected TO the proposition of Mr.. Hender-
son, of Allegany, TO take a majority Of the re-
pair bonds of the canal for the State sinking
funds The constitution prohibits the APP
| preparation of money for the canal and the
sinking funds are sacredly set apart for other
purposes and no business man will say that
these repair bonds can be considered as worth
dollar for dollar. To buy majority of these
bonds would be unfair TO the holders OF the
minority. 1t is claimed that the future OF
the canal is brighter, and that last year it
earned all OF its expenses except some Sl5, 900
OF interest on these repair bond. Ii this be
so, then the canal by prudent management
| oou oc thnuO ~ lto why. Dut u tuo Shhni
cannot be made TO pay its expenses by the
present management let that fact be admitted
to the board of public works. Let the canal
De offered for lease. He was assured That re-
sponsble parties can be found who will lease
and operate the property. That is al least
worth the effort The organic law of The State
should be maintained, and if money relief is to
come il can be reached only by constitutional
amendment. He proposed, therefore, it should
,l,nfl,
can operate the canal for the next two years.
or If they cannot do It, let the effort be made
to lease or give the canal into the hands of
4 persons who pay the interest on the bonds and
run the canal.
Mr.. Rice, OF Frederick, approved OF the
project TO buy the repair bonds. Mr.. f. II.
Darby, OF Washington county, said he favor
cd the lease of the canal in its entirety. A
syndicate is ready to lease at least portion
Of the canal If the joint committee OF the
Legislature will entertain such proposition,
they can rest assured that an offer TO lease u
portion OF the canal will be forthcoming. The
canal cannot wait two years for II constitu-
tional amendment to be effective.
MIR. Isaac Gruber, of Washington county,
said the purchase OF the repair bonds would
not relieve the canal. II II freshet occurs in
the spring, the retirement of these bonds
would be of little service. All know the his
|
people have wept over it. To-day it is as
dead as Lazarus. Perhaps it will be rs well
to let the holders of the repair bonds collect
their money. II will take about two years 20
do it. The people want confidence restored
in the canal. The plan would be to lease
the canal to best advantage under certain re
strictions. Mr. Victor Cushwa, of Washing
ton county, said to be or not to be is the
question. The people want the canal main
| md aha liuit4,
1t has reduced the price OF coal all over the
United States Political management is not
the best, and it is sometimes extravagant, but
he would not criticlse those who have been
concerned in that management. The idea OF
10 Use has always been popular. He did not
believe the people OF the State want 10 repeat
III. past history OF the canal. II the canal is
relieved of politics and put under business
management he believed it can be made to
pay. He favored lease The canal in minia-
ture is to Western Maryland what the Chesa-
peake Bay is TO the Eastern Shore. A propo-
sition to lease is being formulated, he said,
and it will be before the Legislature in n few
weeks. 1t will mlintain the canal as an in
dependent waterway
Mr.. VIM. F. Cowden, of Allegany, said the
STATE Of New York does moi try to make her
canal pay. He opposed the idea OF lease 10 I,
81 Indicate. Mr.. Fred. Mertens. of Alegany,
|
will build twenty boats oext year. Mr.. Felix
Bearix, OF Allegany, said he too, will build
new boats ii the canal is relieved OF the repair
bonds. DR.. Charles T. Russell, of Washing
ton county, said no practical plan had been
submitted. The proposition Of the builders
to build boats looks like something terrible
If there is "A proposition to lease the canal, lei
il be made known now. Mr. F. T. Goddard,
of Washington county, said the boat builder
had been heard from. and he wanted 10 hear
what the coal shippers propose. Mr.. Agnew,
OF Alexandria, Va, coal shipper, said his
firm will give the caaal increased coal ton
mage in 1888.
Mr.. Benson, of Allegauy, said that he be-
lieves il will be found that the proposition TO
lease II portion of the canal will be to COM
prehend only the part which is adjacent 10
The coal fields The other portion will be left
out in the cold. Or. Wootton, in answer TO a
question AS to what proportion OF the canal
business was derived from merchandise other
than coal, said the canal is not dependent on
Montgomery county, but that county is de-
pendent on the canal.
II. I