Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1904-12-30
CANAL INTEREST SOLD.

The Board OF Public Works, on Thur
day Of last week, disposed Of the interests
Of the State Of Maryland In the Chesapeake
and Ohio Canal TO Mr. Fairfax S. Land
street, ice-president Of the Western Mary
land Railroad. Il is understood that this
purchase is 70 the interests OF the Wabash
Railroad, which has for some time past beer
trying 70 secure q route into the city Of
Washington
The action Of the board was not unAni
nous. Gov. Warfsld and Comptroller Al.
kinson from tie start have ben OF the opiu
ion that II was 10 the best interests Of the
msjonty Of the people Of the State 10 dis
pose Of the States holdings Treasurer Van.
diver was on all occasions equally deseru.
ined in his stand 70 prevent the sale At tbi
time If possible. After all Arguments had
been made, Gov. WAFheld in a. executive
session OF the board put the question -All
10 favor Of accepting Mr.. Fairfax S. Lane
Streets bid-it being the highest-wiI SAY
aye" Gov. WAr6eld and State Coupirollei
Atkinson voted aye and Treasurer VaudiTzr
cast dissenting vote.
Prior To this sciion, however, Mr.. Wand.
yer offered resolution setting forth that il
the judgment Of the board IL il deemed be
for the interests Of the State that the Offer.
now pending for the purchase Of the S.Ase'i
Interest 10 the Chesapeake and Ohio Cana
Company be nol accepted Until the eutir
Transaction shall be Submitted Ct the meet
ing Of the next General Assembly for ils
consideration and action.
THIS WAs voted down by the Governor ant
Comptroller Atkinson.
As = result Of the transaction The S,Ats
parts With the waterway 10 which she 10
vested originally about $5,0O0O00, which
sum, with accumulated Interest, has grown
with tn lapse Of years Il now exceeds
tSO0oOOO0. Gov. Wsrdeld and Comp
tTolleF Atkinson, by whose votes the safe
Was made, believe that il is better for the
States Interests 70 accept sl55, 900 rather
than To receive nOthing, which would eVeu.
IuAlly be the case because Of interest &C
cumulAtions
Mr.. LAndstreei is reported to have al
nouneed positively tia; the Western Mary
land Railroad Company will not interfere
with the operation Of the canal a. q water
way, and that the railroad company will
not undertake 10 operate the canal. There
is no prospect that il use As 9 waterway
will be discontinued.
Mr. LAndstreet aud Mr.. B. A Richmond
counsel tor the Western Maryland Railroad.
both stated the object for which the canal
property was desired by the interest they
represented. Both Of the gentlemen, with.
DOT reservation. stated TO the members Of the
Board that they only desired such paru Of
the canal a. was Necessary for the erection
OF the road, which was now being construct
ed between Hancock and Cumberland, and
assured the Board that even Il they had the
corpus rendered them they certainly never
would build 9 railroad upon II.
The Board wsS only In session fifteen
minutes and quickly reached conclusion
10 dispose OF the property.
Governor WAr1eld is quoted as saying
II believe the people OF Maryland are moi
willing TO invest any more money in this
canal property. II could have assurances
that there would be responsible bidders for
this property. should il be offered at public
auction, who would pay more than has
been heretofore rendered for 1t, might be
willing to postpone the sale. Bot having
no such assurance, / am in favor of now
selling the States interest 70 the highest
bidder
"Aiter wide advertisement and general
publicity given through leading newspapers
we have received but two proposals, both Of
which are practically by the same interests
which, either directly or indirectly, were
represented by bidders at the previous OF.
ferings.
"rhe highest bidder now represents rail.
road system that is constructing competing
line from the west into Baltimore city, &c
that the acceptance OF Mr.. Landstreels bid
will promote just what the people OF Balti.
more and of Maryland have wanted and
needed-a competing railroad from the GOA
aelds and the great west to Baltimore city
"The 6pal disposition OF the States 10
ierest in the Chesapeake and Ohio canal
should be hailed by the people as the sou
ton Of problem that has cost the taxpay.
ers Of the State many millions OF dollsn.
"Strange as il may seem, there have been
no substantial public protests at this time
against the sale Of the States interest 10 the
canal.
Time alone will prove whether We have
acted wisely In this matter, have eKer.
clsed my best judgment aud am content to
abide the verdict OF the future as 70 the wis
dom of nv action