The Durham recorder. [volume] (Durham, N.C.) 1879-19??, 1896-04-30
THE PANAMA CANAL
Present Aspect Of the Unfofs
tunate Colossal Enterprise.
n Completed the Great Canal Would Be
Of Worldwide Benefit, But In Case
or war Would Weaken ths Coast
Defense Of the United ststos.

The announcement was made by teie.
graph few weeks ago that work had
been resumed on the Panama canal. II
Is now more than FIVE and half years
since all active work on the canal was
suspended.
The enterprise has been most unfors
tunate during its whole history. The
concession for constructing the canal
was given, In 1877, by the government
Of Colombia to Lieut.. Bonaparte Wyse,
Of the French navy. He secured the
great name and the active cooperation
of Ferdinand de Lesseps, the successful
builder Of the Suez canal; and the canal
company was formed in 1879.
The plan, says the Youths Companion.
was to build O sea-level canal from tho
Atlantic to the Pacific. An estimate
Of the cost Of the work was made by
engineers; but Count de Lesseps cut II
down nearly one-half, and fixed 1t at
FIVE hundred and twelve million francs
IA little more than one hundred mill
l.on dollars The enterprise was In.
augurated with banquets and fetes,
and with all that theatrical display Of
confidence which was characteristic OF
Count de Lesseps. The opening OF the
canal, II was promised, should take
place In 1888.
But the difficulties Of the work had
been underestimate to an absurd de-
gree The floods Of the rainy season,
which make the Chagres river unman.
ageable, the unhealthiness Of the
country, and the distance from supplies
were some Of these difficulties, and
rendered all preliminary calculations
worthless.
In 1857 more than six hundred and
forty million francs had been spent,
and the work was not half done. II
was then estimated that the cost OF
completing the canal, not at the sea-
level, but with ten locks, would be six
hundred and ffty-four million francs.
The government Of France authorized
the company 70 borrow q great sum on
lottery bonds But the people Of France
bad become tired Of putting their
money into the scheme. The loan, of
fered In Paris In December, 1858, was q
failure; the company became bankrupt,
and when the funds gave out work waa
stopped.
Then began an investigation into the
financial working of the company. 10
was found that the funds Of the cor
poration had been used right and left
In subsidizing the press and In corrupt
lng-the French ministers and parlia-
ment. The officers of the company
were tried for fraud, and some Of them,
including both the old Count de Lesseps
and his son Charles, were found guilty
and sentenced to undergo long terms
Of imprisonment. Charles de Lessepa
was imprisoned for q time, but his
father was not compelled 20 60 70
prison.
The scandals ruined the regulations
Of bankers, journalists and politicians,
some Of whom had occupied exalted
positions, and the whole scheme has
fallen Into such discredit that all sub
sequent attempts TO raise large sums
Of money for the enterprise have failed.
The present resumption Of work Is
sot q matter Of much Importance. En-
gineers have estimated, since the
digging ceased In March, 1889, thEt not
less than nine hundred million francs
must be expended 70 complete the
sanal, and the company has not o
twentieth part Of that sum In hand.
There has always been much misrep-
/ resentation as 10 the condition of tho
work. II was not easy 10 disprove the
statement mako by agents Of the com
pany. The undertaking was in too re-
mote and unhealthy region 10 be vis-
tied and examined by persons who
were impelled by curiosity only.
In fact, Of the forty-six miles Of the
length Of the canal, the cutting for
about eighteen and one-half miles "a
finished 70 sea-level; and throughout
the entire length, from ocean 10 ocean,
the cutting already done Il from ten 70
thirty feet
During this time the government
and people Of the United States have
never been enthusiastic supporters Of
this enterprise. They do not wish any
part Of the American continent 20 be 20
subject 10 any European government
as Colombia would be 70 France. were
/ the canal 10 be finished and owned By
O French company.
II u q great enterprise and les com
pletion would be a benefit 70 the world.
Bat look far into the future reveals
/ the possibility that, In . case Of war,
It's possession By France might CAUSE
tho United States great injury.
No doubt at some time the canal win
be finished; but he Is q bold man who
should venture topredict when or By
whom. The only safe prophecy b
that the company now employing Z
pmall force on tbs line win not fD-
~ "a
The United States conn Of appeal
has confirmed the decision Of an n
ferior court protecting the Edison lam,
patent from infringement By Mr.
OoebeL
The New York and Boston stockhold
ers Of The Grand Avenue Street rail
way viii try 70 break MP the big Stree
railway consolidation deal In Ksnsa,
City, Mo.
Treasurer County, Of che Massaehu
setts Irish National Federation, sent |,
check for 9, 900 70 Or. 7. A. Emmett
Of this city, Wednesday FOR the Trial
Parliamentary fund
pr. 1ngersoll oimstead, professor o
hacteriologv in the University Of Penn
sylyania, had his leg Amputated Wed
ussday 70 avoid blood polsionIna IN
duced BY infected lymph.
The Boston Live stock Line, the Pa
siAo Transportation company, the Nil
waukce Manufacturing company sns