The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-05-22

| tanning peace among nations by building up
| industries and creating trade and commerce.
"But much more than this. The defense
OF the Pacific states in time OF war should
demand the thoughtful and patriotic con-
/ sideration OF the whole country. Pacific
coast industries are now so large and varied.
the population of that part OF the union so
sparse, the distance around Cape Horn by
sea 80 great, the long time required to reach
there by water the increasing needs OF THAI
part of the American union, all points to and
make necessary, as matter or natlonak
safety, the building of the Nicaragua canal"
The object OF the convention will, of
course, be the memorializing of congress on
the question of subsidy. But l under
stand that It's resolutions will be directed to
the national conventions of both parties,
and that these will be asked to incorporate
in their respective platforms an endorsements
of the canal and a promise that the party
will use all its efforts to securing govern
ment aid for the project. Mr.. Estee is to
look after the interests of the canal couvens
ton at Minneapolis. and ex-Postmaster
General Don M. Dickinson is to do like
service at Chicago.
l visited the offices of the Canal Cons
structiou Company in New York city the
other day and found that the work is pro-
crossing far beyond all expectations. Such
men as Andrew Carnegie, John W. Maokey.
Cornelius N. Bliss and ex-senator Fair
have Just been interested in the project and
have invested heavily in the company's
securities. | imagine this Is due largely to
the influence of ex-senator Warner Miller,
who is on friendly and even intimate terms
with all these gentlemen. 1t was In May +,
1889, that the first actual work
was done on the canal, and by the close OF
the year 1890 force OF nearly 900 officers.
foremen and laborers was actively en-
ployed. The work Of clearing the canal line
of forest was begun in January, 1890, on
both sides of Lake Nicaragua and the
clearing now has the full width of 486 feet
from the coast on either side of the natural
waterways. asked George w. Davis, the
manager of the works, to detail for me
exactly what had been accomplished and he
put it In this shape:
"In the first place we have completed the
final surveys for location and construction.
We have made a thorough subterranean
examination OF the strata requiring removal
by means Of borings with the diamond drill.
We have restored the harbor Of San Juan
del Norte on the Atlantic coast side to the
extent Of securing an easy entrance to the
port for vessels of 10 feet draught, and
have constructed extensive wharves and
splendid landing facilities. Then. too, We
have erected permanent buildings for
officers, quarters, hospitals. storehouses.
shops, ETC., having floor area of almost
two acres. In addition to this we have es-
tablished temporary camps along the entire
line for the accommodation Of employees, and
have a telegraph line, so that the New York
Office is in communication with every SEQ
ton OF the work. The clearing Of the
canal line of timber Is completed.
Eleven miles OF railroad are In opera
ting order and we have in Lake Nicaragua
now and along the other natural waterways
In the route the most valuable and power
full dredging plants ever used In canal cons
struction. One mile of the canal is actually
in operation. We have acquired by pur-
chase the valuable and exclusive franchise
for steam navigation of the San Juan river
and the Nicaragua lake. !"
In the estimate OF construction the cost OF
the canal was placed at $50. 900, 900 to $685.
| 0OO, 900. II is now believed, however. that
| the expense will be nearly S125, 500 900.
The New York board OF trade has also
! appointed a committee to represent it al
| the St. Louis convention. This consists OF
Orlando B. Porter, Lloyd 1. Seaman, Ans
brose Snow, Darwin r. James, William 81.
| Webb, Edward L. Molinineux, John F.
Henry, Albert B. Ropes,