|
|
|
preach that government with a view to induce its em-
barkation in a public work, it is not with a view to the
amount to be realized as revenue, but to develop the re-
sources of the State. He thought this State would never
enter into a public work again, unless with expectation
of the entire loss of the amount invested, but with a view
to the great public interests which would be subserved
thereby. Had not this canal developed the resources?
Had we not mineral wealth untold in Allegany?
There does not exist upon earth a line of canal 186
miles long, possessing as many locks and culverts as this
canal. Many of the locks of canals are built of composite,
but every lock and culvert in this canal is built of our
stone, and would never need repair. He claimed to know
something of canals, and when his friend from Allegany
had said the capacity of the canal was 1, 500, 000 tons of
coal, he had then suspended his judgment until he had
examined the figures, and had ascertained a clear capacity
of 1, 500, 000 tons in its present condition. But this is not
all; the capacity of the canal can be doubled by increasing,
longitudinally, the length of the locks, and the capacity
can be again augmented by increasing the depth of the
canal.
Having all these advantages, the question is, why is it
that it had not been as productive to the stockholders, and
as active in developing the resources of the country, as
was expected? The reason is apparent; it is in its man-
agement— it has been used to further political ends. He
did not mean to advocate the giving of it to bondholders
or stockholders, or any one else, but the State must asso-
ciate with it private interests if it entertained any hope
of ever making it profitable.
Mr. D. then gave an interesting account of how canals
should be managed, and the difficulties to contend with.
In the canals with which he had experience it had been
deemed essential that the superintendent should be fa-
miliar with his duties by reason of long service, and that
the boss of each division should know every creek and
rivulet. Stability of management was the great essential.
The toll sheets should be changed as the occasion made
it necessary. The president and directors should have
174
|
|
|
|
 |
