Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1906-02-27

and the eight local bills on the calendar
were called up in order by Morrell OF
Pennsylvania.
During the consideration of district
Legislation Sims. Tenn, made severe
arraignment of the form of the district
government. 1t was un-American, I'M
Republican and un-Democratic. He advo-
Gated suffrage for the residents of the
district.
After brief opposition by Shackleford.
NO., a bill was passed giving national
charter to the National Society of Sons
of the American Revolution.
When the district business had been dis
posed of the regular order of business
was a roll call on the question of con-
sidering the Dalzell bill to incorporate
the Lake Erie & Ohio Ship Canal Co.
The bill was taken up for consideration
by a vote of 1856 to CT.
Debate on the bill was limited to two
hours. Davidson. Wis, chairman of the
committee on railways and canals, ex-
planned the bill. The canal. he said, would
cost between $35.OGOOO0 and $4,000 1t
would extend from Pittsburg to Ashtabu-
la, Ohio, on Lake Erie, a distance of 100
IuIISS FOIly-SiA lilies lTO1Il 1lttSDuTg,
the Ohio and Beaver rivers would be
channelized Thirty-one miles would be
over the tablelands between the Ohio
river and the lake. On this tabieland a
lake eight miles long was to be created
This stretch of 81 miles, he said. was
327 feet above the level Of the lake. 1t
will require SO locks with a 20-foot Eft and
$40 feet in length. The capitalization had
been fixed at 100000 mile or 4 total of
$6G, OO0, OOO
Davidson said there were annually co.
100000 tons of freight consisting of iron
ore and coal going from the lakes to
Pittsburg for which traffic this canal
could compete with the railroads.
After 80 years the canal could be pur-
chased by the government
Suppose this canal is turned over to
the Pennsylvania Railroad Co.-where is
the competition" asked Cooper Wis.
1.-THE only opposition that has been
made before the committee has come
from these roads and do not believe for
one moment that the Pennsylvania Rail
road will ever get control of this proper
ty." replied Davidson.
Opposition to the bill on constitutional
grounds was made by Henry, Tex Such
charter should be secured, he said, from
the state Legislatures.
Henry did not oppose such a canal if II
should be built and controlled by the gov
eminent.
In closing the debate for the opposition
Williams. Miss, said the charter Of this
canal could be sold for from $1,000 600 to
s5.o0O.0Oo, and while he could not prove it,
Il suspect in my heart that it has al
ready been turned over to the Pennsylva-
mia Railroad or to some other great rail-
road interest"
II desire to say continued Williams.
that there is not a man on the other
SIDE of this chamber Indicating the Re-
publican side) who thinks there can be
organized in the district of my friend,
Mr.. Dalzell, 4 corporation to carry on n
business for purely philanthropic and al
truistic purposes. Whenever Pittsburc
does anything for nothing just let me
know about it bright and early in the
Dalzell closed the debate for the bill
and demanded the previous question.
Just as a roll call had been ordered
Dalzell stated that Hepburn. Ia. had a
resolution which it was desirable to offer
at this time and asked if the roll call
might go over. To this Williams assented
and Hepburn briefly stated that ne had
been requested by his colleagues from the
state of Iowa to announce the death yes
terday of David B. Henderson. He pre-.
scented the resolutions. which were adopt
ed
AS further mark Of respect the House
on motion Of Hepburn, at A1S o'clock, adj
journed until tomorrow.