Photo by Betty Lupinacci, courtesy of the Library of Congress Although the Chesapeake & Ohio (C&O) Canal Company was chartered (founded), there were a few legal documents that had to be rendered (created) before construction could begin on the canal. Before the Civil War, businesses, such as the C&O Canal, had to go through processes of documentation called Corporate Charters or Articles of Incorporation (Rules that established a company as a corporation) to discuss a range of plans from the cost of the groundbreaking ceremony to determining the length of the canal (McBride, 2011). Once the laws and resolutions were secured, the Canal Company could begin construction (Lupinacci, 2019 & McBride, 2011). Click on image (right) to enlarge →Legislation chose to help families and or groups certify companies that were not profit seeking like a clothing or toy stores. Businesses that benefited the public like transportation, I.e., Canal, trains, and roads were certified under the Articles of Incorporation, therefore it was considered an honor or privilege for these documents to be granted. Similar to the topic of voting. For example, Pre-Civil War certain people were allowed to vote, and it was considered an honor or privilege until after the Civil War, the Voting Rights Act of 1965 was established giving all the right to vote. Similar to a business becoming a certified establishment it was considered an honor until laws were set in place allowing everyone the right to create a business. “Railroads discriminated in the prices they charged to passengers and shippers in different localities by providing rebates to large shippers or buyers. These practices were especially harmful to American farmers, who lacked the shipment volume necessary to obtain more favorable rates” (National Archives, Act of February 4, 1887). Eventually, the government stepped in and political action against the railroads monopolies was established. On February 4, 1887, the Congress passed the Interstate Commerce Act designed to regulate the railroad industry and its monopolistic practices. The act also established a five-member Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC) to oversee the conduct of the railroad industry and required the railroad rates to be “Reasonable and Just.” The railroad industry became the first industry subject to Federal regulation. (National Archives, Act of February 4, 1887). 
Photo courtesy of the Harper's Ferry Museum Collection. July 4, 1828President John Quincy Adams broke ground and dug the first spadesful of dirt at Little Falls, Maryland. The ceremonial ground-breaking gathered the interest of many people. A band cheered President Quincy on as he attempted 4 times to break the hard, rocky terrain. The challenge encountered during the ground-breaking ceremony foreshadowed the difficulty that canal workers would encounter building and constructing the canal. On the same day, the Baltimore & Ohio (B&O) Railroad also began construction which initiated from the start, a robust competition between the two transportation companies (Canal Construction, 2018). Action ChallengesHave you ever been to a celebration for a major event? Terminology and definitions are very important in regulations. What new words did you learn? What words did you already know? Visit the electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR) and in the drop-down menu select:
Share your experiences with us on social media, using #FindYourPark, #candocanal and tag us @COcanalNPS. About the Code of Federal Regulations and Browse the Code of Federal Regulations. (1996-2021). Retrieved from Code of Federal Regulations (Annual Edition): https://www.govinfo.gov/app/collection/cfr/ |
Last updated: November 13, 2021