The enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 188?-1899, 1898-01-05

U u UIIdpIUIIGW CUuuIJIOU
average cost Of maintenance over and above
the receipts, per year, has been s5S,l2d during
this period
| with reference to the management Of the
canal system, which is vested in the board OF
public works and the chief engineer. we be-
lieve that conservative and faithful service
has been render cd the state and no unfavor-
able criticism should attach 10 this department
because OF the condition In which the canal
system is at the present time, They have been
| hampered by lack OF sufficient funds and laws
governing their department which do not ad-
init Of thorough business management, such
| as Is Afforded to the otner departments Of the
state government
THE benefits derived from the canal system
| OF the state are two-fold-the direct and in
direct ones. The direct benefits are, obvi-
ously, the furnishing OF public waterways -
the citizens OF the state for the transportation
| OF freight over the various canals from port TO
port; aiording cheaper method Of trnnspor-
tation for such freight as can be advantage
| ously handled by boats: supplying OF mills and
factories along the line OF the canals with
power, with the surplus waters OF the canals,
ana to consumers, water for manufacturing
| purposes The indirect benefits to the citizens
OF the state are in the development OF the
| cities, towns and counties through which the
| various canals pass; In the encouragement and
location along the lines Of the canals OF mills,
| factories and various kinds OF business which
are more or less dependent upon the water
ways for their success; in controlling In some
cases, and largely influencing In others, the
rates Of transportation to the various markets.
and In oil cases, where the canal Is In opera
ton, controlling the maximum, II not the
minimum rate OF such transportation.
| I'VE find that navigation over the canals Of
the state has been gradually growing less with
| the possible exception Of the year 1897, which
| shows an increase. We also find an almost
unanimous opinion from all persons interested
Il in the canal subject, on either side, that the
\ state should determine at once upon definite
policy with reference 20 the canal system. and,
| In the words OF these people, either improve
| or abandon them Along the lines OF the
canals In the various cities and towns. with
! three or four exceptions, we find strong SEN
timent that the canals should be preserved and
improved.
your commission recommend that the state
at once adopt definite policy with regard to
| the canal system, so that the uncertainty
| which has existed for many years shall be re-
| moved. We believe the policy adopted should
| be one OF Improvement of the canal system, for
the reason that interest in waterways is be-
! coming greater every year, as is evidenced by
| the improvement In New York Of the Erie
canal and the building Of many canals by for
| eign countries, and in the investigation and in
| qutry as to suitable routes Tor waterways by
| the United States government, and by many Of
| our sister states. In this connection we would
| call attention to the improvement OF the Mus
| kingum river, formerly portion OF our canal
| system, which is now nearly completed as far
as GAINESVILLE, and which will be extended to
Dresden. By the building of one more dam
and the necessary locks this improvement
| could be extended to Coshocton, where through
connection could be had with the Northern
Ohio canal, making it possible to have contin-
uous transportation from Marietta to Cleveland
I'VE believe that waterway connecting
| Lake Erie and the Ohio river. will be under
| taken at some time In the near future, and that
this state, having two or more canals running
north and south. will almost certainly secure
that waterway II the canals are retained. We
also believe that the indirect benefits that
have accrued to the present time more than
Offset the cost OF maintenance since the state
has resumed control OF the canal system.
Therefore, we recommend policy Of i'm
provement along moderate lines, and should o
policy OF improvement be adopted, that the
legislature for the next two years appropriate
unreasonable q amount Of money, In addition TO
the earnings OF the canal system. for the pur-
pose Of improving the canals, only where 1t Is
possible to revive the business of transporta-
tion.
I'VE also suggest, in order to secure at once
the building Of new boats and developing the
means Of transportation over the canal system
that the legislature enact law offering all
builders OF new boats 20 bounty of $780,
payable in rebate OF tolls upon such
boat ut the rate OF 800 per year This
in our Judgment will stimulate business
over the waterways ofthe state immedi-
ately, and secure u class Of investors who
will establish permanent business in this
line and not seek 20 speculate, by reason Of
the bounty, In tho building and disposing Of
boats
I'VE suggest revision Of the laws governing
the department Of public works which would
admit OF more general supervision on the
part OF some state ohicer either elected by the
people or appointed by the governor, with the
board OF public works as an advisory board,
, / and modelled somewhat upon the laws govern
ing canal matters in New York, which would
greatly increase the efficiency and simplify the
management and be productive OF great bene-
fit to the state"
agree with the general view Of this ques-
tion taken by the special commissioners. At
| ttrnn Nuhnn hn nf itty ~
waterways appears brighter than for many
, years, 1t would seem the part of folly to aban-
don them, perhaps only to regret 1t In the
future. The canal system OF Ohio served a
, | grand purpose in the past, and under improved
methods, 1t roay again. At all events there is
common sense and justice In awaiting the new
era, and In the meanwhile putting this valua-
BILE public property in as serviceable condition
as can be effected by the judicious expendi-
ture OF an adequate amount OF money In the
absence OF any specific advice from the COM
mission concerning the section OF the Ohio
canal from Dresden to Portsmouth which Is
now in such deplorable slate, l would suggest
that as much attention as may be necessary to
preserve its water right features be given 1t by
the board OF public works. but that no consid-
cradle amount OF money be expended upon 1t
until 1t becomes clear to all that 1t should be
| put in good repair.
] am decidedly in favor of the maintenance
and the necessary Improvement OF the Miami
and Erie canal which is practically self-sup-
porting, and Of the Ohio canal from Cleveland
to Dresden where entrance to the navigator of
the Muskingum can be had in the future.
In this connection desire to invite your at
tention to the general subject OF deep water
ways, and especially to that part OF such q
proposition as concerns the prospect of secur-
ing for Ohio government ship canal between
Lake Erie and the Ohio river
UNIVERSITIES AND EDUCATION.
The good effect of the liberal appropriations
for the universities wholly or In part sus-
tained by the state, has become apparent to
oil Under the present condition there is the
promise that Ohio will soon be able to chal-
lenge the criticism Of any commonwealth In re-
laton to her facilities for higher education, as
; she does now in regard to her common school
system. The money devoted to Miami and
Ohio universities, at Oxford and Athens re-
provement Of those institutions in many ways.
The new buildings. the largely increased at
, tendance, the announcement given TO those
, who have for years contended against adverse
circumstances, and the realization that the state
will In years to come continue its aid, can not
fail to augment the natural strength OF these
places OF learning
! The Ohio State university, located at Column
J bus, being distinctively state enterprise, and
occupying the proud position OF being the
leader Of our system OF public and free educa-
tion, should ever be an object OF interest with
l the people. The generous responses that have
/ been made to the requests for appropriations
with which to equip the university to q scale
fitting the dignity OF the state, and to accord
with the requirements OF modern times, mas
resulted In great good. New buildings, de-
) signed to meet all the needs Of such an insttu-
1 ton are In course of construction or completed
! While thus specifically commencing to your
! good will the institutions for higher education
D It is equally incumbent upon me 20 call atten-
tion to the admirable record that Is being made
3 by Ohio in her general plan Of educating youth.
4 No state has greater cause for rejoicing In that
! respect The good outcome is expressed in o
4 thousand ways Our citizenship Is the best
! evidence, and it teaches lesson which should
4 ever be before the minds Of our people.
( THE NATIONAL GUARD.
Every citizen should be proud of the Ohio
1 national guard There is every reason why
n the facilities Tor its operation and develop
q me mt should be extended The reports OF the