The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1893-05-20

findings are ably stated by Col VIM. z.
CraighilI in Senate Ex. Doc. No. 80,
10th Congress, I'd session, 1880. In this
and subsequent reports 1t is SHOWN
that the costs of the several routes ex-
amiued for canal 100 feet wide at the
bottom, IFS feet at low water line ana 20
feet deep. with locks 600 feet long aud
GO broad, vary from $7,605, 476 to s4t'-
55S 600 EIthout entering into partlcu
lars, it may be stated here that the ohop
tank, which seems to be the most popular
line. would cost from sixteen and nan
to eighteen and quarter millions vi
dollars, although it would save tue ieas'
tme-only 10. hours-and the least as
tance-175 miles. Yet, i'll view OF TINS
exhibit. a Baltiu ore journal recently
said: AS far as our city is concerned
the only route which would be oenehI
would be the Choptank route, at cost
of $4,000 600. The others may help
the railroads in building up Philadelphia
and New York at our expense, not other
| wise
"This quotation explains why greater
| progress has not been made in this
important matter. Local Jealousies,
sectionallsm and misunderstanding OF
the fundamental law of intercommunlca-
ton are at the bottom of the trouble.
1t is not possible to build ship canal
from Baltimore, or any other port, that
will not benefit that port directly, Tor
commerce is reciprocal, and vessels do
not carry cargoes. if they can avoid it,
only in one direction. Neither should it
be supposed for moment that more
northern route than the Choptank would
divert vessels from Baltimore to northern
ports. If such were the case every vessel
passing Sandy Hook or the Delaware
capes would turn into these Ravens and
their commercial cities, as they are
much nearer than is Baltimore. The
building of any canal of reasonable cost
across the Delaware Maryland peninsula
would bring Baltimore much nearer the
detracting from her proximity to the
Western markets and hence greatly in
crease her advantages. Can any one
suppose that the fear of benefting her
sister cities would so obcure her vision
as to cause her to assume a hostile
attitude and oppose a work which would
seem to be necessary for her preservation
in times of war and which would add i'm.
mensely to her prosperity in times OF
peace? We cannot believe that the
sentiments above quoted represent the
actual and enlightened opinions of her
intelligent citizens, but that they have
been misstated.
"The effect oil increased ia cilities upon, :.
the commerce of Baltimore, resulting
merely from the widening and deepening
of the long channels through the shoals
of the Patapsco may readily be seen
from the reports of the engineer in
charge, Colonel Craighill. Up to the
close of the fiscal year June 80, 1892,
there had been appropriated by Con-
gress nearly 50, 000, 900 to create a chan
mel 600 feet wide and 81 feet deep, SO
that now vessels of the deepest draught
can enter the port. The result has been
that during that same year lS9l-'92 the
foreign entrances increased SO per cant
and the clearanoes 90 per cent, while
the domestic entrances decreased IA per
cent, and the clearances increased only II
per cent. Thus the effect on the foreign
commerce was very beneficial while that
on the domestic commerce was injurious.
The reduction of the ocean voyage by
shorter, deep route to the sea will
still further stimulate the foreign, while
if properly located it will also revive the
dropping domestic commerce of Balti
more.
practically looking to the best inter
pressing necessity existing for an outlet
to the sea aud short link to unite the
commerce of the Delaware which is
about ten million tons, with that OF the
Chesapeake, there seems to be but one
route which can lay claim to the con-
sideration of the country and is tho one
our iorefathers selected and upon which
with advantage, zeal and energy, they
constructed the existing Chesapeake and
Delaware canal in 1929. 1t is the route
which the United States engineers have
reported to be the most feasible; its
existence is a menace and bar to private
capital in undertaking any OF the other
routes with any prospect of success.
1t is one of the most important because
the cheapest to enlarge and the shortest
| of the links on the Atlantic coast water
way. 1t is, believe the only practicable
route over which Baltimore can hope to
reduce her distance 10 the sea. 1t is the
one that will require least time in tran
| sit; On which the tolls if any will be the
lowest, which can be operated at least
which will best protect the interests of
| Baltimore from foreign aggression and be
of most service to the country as a
strategic and defensive measure in time
of war.
Baltimore has been apathetic con-
corning this canal. it may be from lack
of appreciation OF its true functions in
stimulating commerce aud regulating
rates. A revival of interest in this as
well as in the Tidewater canal, by which
Baltimore could obtain lower rates on
fuel would aid very largely to increase
her Importance as manu- featuring as
well as great commercial centre. Let
us have concerted and intelligent action
that the next session of congress may be
induced to renew its interest in the ship
canal from Baltimore to the sea via the
capes of the Delaware and the Chesa-
peake and Delaware route.
| VUnatIA,. fIrnn RniInfin