Year: 1879

THE FLORIDA SHIP cANAL-IMPoRrANT STATE


MENr BY SENATOR JONES Es-EURoPEAN CAPT.


TAi.IsTs IN EARNEsT-THE PRELIMINARY


WORK WHICH HAS BEEN DONE.


WASHINGTON, August 3, 1879.


In answer to an inquiry of the HERALD correspon-
dent Senator Jones. of Florida makes the following
statement concerning the recent conference on the
subject of the Florida ship capal:-I met Colonel
Aspinwall here as he not present at the former
conference. He desired. il possible. that the DIM
culties developed at his former meeting in regard to
the canal charter should be obviated. As
was the first citizen OF the state to whom he CON-
muncated his desire to enter upon the great work.
he wished to explain more fully the reasons he had
for asking early action by the authorities in Florida
1 did not represent the State authorities at the
conference with Colonel Aspinwall. As is usual
in great enterprises like this. much dis
trust has been met with touching the
ability and. readiness of the promoters
to 90 on with the work. After the very full and
frank conference of yesterday with Colonel Aspin-
wall have no doubt of the financial ability of his
associates abroad to furnish the necessary capital
to construct the canal.


INVESTIGATION BY EUROPEAN EXPERTS.


These parties sent to this country at their ex-
pense an engineer to make personal examination
oi country through Wnlcn the canal WOulu pass,
and to collect information regard to the amount
and value Of the of the Gulf of Mexico This
gentleman adventurer. He to this
country with tho testimonials which would have
secured for him respectful hearing in the
politest circles of the world Some people
here imagined that this preliminary examination
was all that was to be done before comnenc-
ing work on the canal. This is a mistake.


COMPLETE SURVEY MADE.


1t is only a step preparatory to q full and COM
plete survey. Colonel Aspinwalls associates,
understand. agree. If NJ. Barois report is favora-
BILE to the enterprise and charter be obtained
to send over corps of engineers without delay. AS
regards grant of land by the State and the exemp
ton of the canal property from taxation
it is hoped that the difficulties at first
suggested in connection with these conditions
in the charter will be overcome The enterprise is
too important and its advantages well known for
anything but the most serious distractions to i'm
pede its progress


VALUE ENTERPRISE.


With the improvement of the Mississippi River
and the opening up Of an easy and cheap water
way to the head OF the great valley upon
which millions in Europe and in our At
lantic States must depend for its valuable
produce the Florida Canal will become
necessity to this country and the world. In 1877
introduced resolution in the Senate on this sub
ject which was responded to by the War Depart
ment through General Gilmore in an Interesting
port and find great interest in the of the
enter prise. The commercial life of Gulf cities
has been nearly destroyed by the advantages
of speedy railroad transportation from the
South to the Atlantic seaboard. l think
that the time will come when their commerce will
be more than restored and nothing will hasten its
restoration more than the enterprise contemplated
by Colonel Aspinwall and his associates.


HAS LEssEPs FINGER PIE?


You ask If do Lesseps has any connection with the
Florida Canal Company. cannot tell for never
thought 1t o matter Of much consequence who per.
formed the work so long it was done properly and
this suppose the parties concerned would to.
The people of my State have given away millions
of acres of valuable land and incurred vast indebt
edness by stock subscriptions to build two railroads.
and have hesitation in saying that if by holding
Ave days session of the Legislature the company
secures the construction of ship canal the
State q better investment could not be made. l
think that the HERALD has done . great work for
Florida and the commercial public in bringing the
advantages of this great enterprise to the attention
Of the country for sooner or later its predictions
regarding It will be fulfilled.