The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1851-03-14
AFFAIRS AT THE STATE CAPITAL.
Our Albany Correspondence.

ALBANY, March y, 1851.
Pledgi~g the Cawal Revenues Unco~st,tutio~aby--
An attempt to dya,o Funds irons tie Treasury to
Sc nd Negroes back to africa.
1t now some ten days since the proposition was
made by Silas nj. Burroughs, in the House of AS
sembly, to pledge the of the State canals
for the payment of borrowed money to complete
their construction; and up to this time scarcely
newspaper has given it favorable consideration.
On the contrary, many of the most distinguished
men of his own party denoncce the project, and
characterize it as a me assure seeking to do that
which the constitution of 1916 intended to prevent.
The projec. finds no favor even with those who are
continually urging the more speedy enlargement,
and who have heretofore endeavored to accomplish
it, even at the hazard of violation of the linaa.
cial article of the constitution Mr.. B. may be an
accomplished politician, bat he is no statesman,
and while he arrogates to himself the leadership Of
the locos in the House, he should be content with
the direction and drilling of the party troops, and
not undertake TO unsette or upset feature IN the
constitution OF the State, the incorporation of which
into that instrument many of his party friends la
bored so long, SO zeal0usly, and unremittingly to
engraft therein. He should not, with his limited
powers, undertake to evade the strict provisions Of
the constitution for which Hoffman, LOOMS, and
their compeers devoted their best energies to &C.
complish
What would be the result should Mr.. Bur.
rough's project succeed, and the revenues of the
canals become pledged by the Legislature, for the
payment of fifteen or twenty millions of principal
and interest! Why, the most obtuse intellect
must concede, that the State would be bound in
equity TO refund every dollar of money which in.
dividuals might choose TO deposit under the bill.
And should the revenues fail TO furnish any excess
over the amount required for the collection, su.
perintendence, and ordinary repairs-the annual
amounts 10 be contributed to the sinking fund.- and
oil ttaA frtUa do nf q hn
vemment-where 10 the interest to come from
Dire city and promptly from the State treasury, as
every reasonable and rational man must acknow.
ledge.
There is another feature in this proposition for
a more "spe edy enlargement" which is of vital
importance to the mercantile and commercial IN
terests. Suppose heavy capitalists, and they must
be heavy, who could deposit money under the pro.
posed bill-suppose such combination, of proba.
bly, thirty millions, having such powerful interest
in the revenues of the canals, should suspect,
whether for cause or not, that the revenues might
not be sufficient in any one year to meet all the de-
mands upon them, would not a conspiracy at once
be formed among themselves by which they could
control the tariff of tolls on the canals! Would
they not in such an event, constitute power be-
hind' the canal board, or even the Legislature,
which might require the moral force OF the people
of this great State for many years to overcome!
One Of the most remarkable propositions ever
by Mr.. L B. Ward, a wing member of the House
of Assembly, from the city Of New York IL is
asking for an appropriation of forty thousand dol
lars from The State Treasury. for the purpose OF
Transporting negroes TO Liberia. 1t proposes to
take twenty thousand dollars during the present
year, and the same cum in the subsequent year, to
be placed in the hands Of the New York state Co
lonizaiion Society, under the superin.endence of
the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, COMPTROLLER
and Attorney General OF the State. Such is the
substance OF it.
The Colonization Society, proper is undoubtedly
highly commendable institution, and embr aces
members
charitable, and distinguished citizens of this State,
the Hon. Anon G. Phelps being no W is President.
1t has drawn large and liberal contributions from
TIE wealthy and phianihropic In every portion of
the State and Union, and its charities have been
dispensed in O manner which have tended greatly
to administer happiness and contentment to an VA
fortunate race of beings. The society has quietly
and modestly sent many willing persons to coun-
Try where their color Is respected, aud where they
enjoy political and other privileges in common
with all of their race. It's members are spread all
members the pious and the ungodly, the Christian
and the intidel It's charities are dispensed within
no circumscnbed limits; and on either side of Ma
son and Dixon's line, and equally on the banks of
Of the institution extended. 1t has the confidence
of the Americ an people to a very liberal extent.
But this attempt to draw from the uedsury OF the
State, the means for sending negroes to Africa, is
a measure which will not be approved by the peo-
pie, and should not be sanctioned by the Legsla-
ture Ii is to be hoped, for the honor of the Colon
zaton society, that no application OF the kind has
been made by il. The moment il dispenses with
voluntary contributions and TO the expedent
OF filling its Golfers from the public treasury, to
which the people contribute for the support OF their
government, then loses lis distinctive character.
istc features OF charity. II may be that some OF
the inferior officers OF the society may have lnflu
enced the Honorable Mr.. Ward in making this
attempt 10 draw the sum Of forty thousand dollars
from the treasury, but that the society as body
has made any such attempt, is scarcely to be BE-.
lieved.
Is there any power vested in the Legislature un-
der the constitution, to make such an appropria-
lion DO the Legislature poss SO the authority to
make such donation Their. L. no power given
the Legislature TO contribute the funds of the peo-
pie tor such purpose, and II Is very much doubted
whether sufficient number OF ,otes can be ob-
tanned. w
ALBANY, March 10, 1851
A Nee Nforc on the Political Chessbopd- Recent
and Prospective Elections The Democracy lie.
lighted cith the Course Of one of their Papers
Arrangements having become nearly perfected,
another attempt will shortly be made to elect
United States Senator, by different method than
has ever heretofore been done. Finding that no
law can be passed assigning time, notices have
been given in both branches OF the Legislature,
that application Will al some future day be made,
10 suspend the joint rules Of the Senate and As.
semby The rules can be suspended by majority
Of members present; which can be done any mo-
ment in the House, and in the Senate whenever
Mr.. Beekman may be absent. The object is 10
adopt a resolution designating a day when both
branches shall mngle promlscuously in the As
semby Chamber, and elect Mr.. Fish to the United
States Senate. The attempt will be made the first
moment an opportunity shall present ITSELF and the
wings Of the Senate can see their way clear.
Should the Joint rules be suspended, and re-
solution adopted to elect United States Senator
in such manner, every locofoco OF both Houses
would protest against the proceeding and refase to
participate in the election. They will urge, aad
with much reason too, that, as The constitution ~
the United States provides for the election OF Sena
tors by the Legislatures OF the States and as the
Legislature Is composed OF tive branches, the Sc
nate and House OF Assembly, therefore the same
action is required to pass law designating the
time and manner Of going into such election, as is
I.al.~ L.. l..