The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1851-04-22

NC1K!
] propose to give your readers succinct his
tory Of the famous Canal bill, from its inception to
It's final arrest in the Legislature II will be recol-
tected that his exccllency Governor Hunt, IN his
message, dwelt very deliberately upon the SUBJECT
of completing the unfinished canals of this State,
but suggested no other method rs being feasible
for a speedy completion than such rs the con-
sttution provides, that Of submitting the question
to the people. Had bill been introduced for that
purpose. all parties would have been willing that
such law might have been enacted; and it ma
iority were willing that nine twenty millions
should DO employed in the immediate completion of
those public works, the opposition to that pro-
position would cheerfuy have submitted. But none
of his excellency's friends in the Legislature
thought proper to offer such proposition, aud the
sequel shows conclusyely that they afraid and
unwilling that the people Should have this great
matter in their own hands.
By an understanding, and for the purpose of
'ducing the minority Of the Legislature into the
support of some speedy measure the opening of the
ball was assigned to Silas nj Burroughs, quasi
democrat Of the House, representing whg county.
On the first day of March, nearly two months after
Governor Hunt brought the subject before the Lee
gisature for consideration, and without any propo-
stion coming from the majority side OF either branch
of the Legislature, this man, Burroughs, parades
himself il the public printspubisnes the bill which
he proposes to introduce in the House, entitled SAN
act to provide for the enaI cement OF the Erie "a.
nal, ard the completion ot the Black river and
Genesee valley Canals 1t may not be lnapplo,,
pirate in connexion, to remark, that when this bill
was published, the dl6a,iy Argus, the leading or
gan Of section Of the democrats, stated-.lt Is no
doubt n well considered measure, and may be SAID
to contemplate the only mode III which the compile
lion Of the public works can be expected, under the
provisions OF the constitution.
On the 10th Of March Buffalo paper ,ntained
q very learned and elaborate legal opinion fro the
rf labp N A
fact shows that a trap was To be set. why dld
that opinion appear in a Buffalo paper, when Mr.
Allen, the person to whom 1t purports to be given,
was in the Legislature at Abany-Burrough
also Mt the Capital, and MIR. Spencer himself living
within three minutes walk of both those members
of the House! 1t was only inteaded to produce an
effect in the western part OF the state, evidently to
forestall public opinion among the people living on
the line Of the proposed spending OF the nine NIL
lions.
ON the 18th Of March, O. Allen, a member from
Buffalo, introduced his canal bill, backed by Mr..
Spencer's opinion, based upon Burroughs propo-
sition to pledge in advance the canal revenue, and
to use the certificates for banking purposes. This
wa only three days after Mr.. Spencers argument
was published. On the 18th Of March, the bill
came up for discussion in the House, and met with
the opposition of the minority on account OF its
unconstitutional features. Mr.. lie Roy, member
from Onsndaga, submitted substitute for the bill,
authorizing loan Of 81 coo, 900 by instruments OF
S2,00O,G GEO year for four years-and laying a tax
for the pay ment Of the interest and tho reimburse
the people, as provided by the constitution. The
majority being ready to vote it down, the propo-
sition was suffered to lie until the next day,
when it was rejected by party vote. On that day,
the 18th March. while the bill was again under dis
cusson, Mr.. Elderkin, Of st. Lawrence, offered a
section to the bill, submitting it to the people for
their approval or rejection. This was also decided
in the negative. The next morning the question
came up ia the House, agreeing to the bill as re-
ported from the committee, when Mr.. Briggs, Of
Westchester, sprung the previous question, which
debate. Aud the bill was run through the House,
with only few hours discussion.
But il seems It's friends forced it through with
too much hot haste to suit themselves. During the
night they discovered various material errors and
in the morning, at the opening of the session. Mr..
Allen moved 10 recommit the bill to tho Canal Com
intee, with instructions to amend the bill as fol-
lows:-
In the "a section to strike on, the first seven lines
providing that the surplus shall be applied in
tie first ns'aTce to the Of the interest on the
certificates Of dcrost during the years '5 52 53 and
81 anl the residue TO the completion Of the enlarge
aud tic tennessee Valley aud Black River Canals and
insert words to the effect that the surplus revenues
accruipg in those Yeas shall be applied directly to the
completion Of those works
In the Sta section insert words making the payment
ofinteresi the certificates charge on the avals of
the saes th-ccf and the premiums received thereon
In tho 9th section strike out the few last lines
making the interest on certificates payable of the
surplus fund and making IL payable out Of the
awaits Of the sales of the certificates and the premiums
thereon aud the interest accrung ON the deposit OF
these hyals
Mr. E.lderkin moved to recommit the bill to the
Committee Of the Whole, where an opportunity
would be given to discuss the merits of the proposed
amendments but Mr.. Speaker Raymond ruled
the motion out Of order, and the bill referred
back 10 the Canal Committee to insert the above
propositions.
The next morning, April 2d as soon as the
Iorse was called TO order, Mr.. Allen reported the
amended bill Mr.. Leroy then moved to re-
commit. With instructions 10 insert the proposition
offered b. him in committee, to submit the question
TO the people. This proposition produced lengthy
debate. but was lost by party vote, and the ques
ton taken upon Mr.. Aliens amendments, which
were adopted The bill was then read third time,
d SEED, and transmittcdto the Senate,
Ii was announced in that body on the 18th Of April
ut o'clock II, Nj, MIR. stanton objected to its So
ccnd reading on that day, as he understood it was
one Of great magnitude and Importance, which he
had never seen or heard read, aud he apprehended
il might be crowded through without proper exam
ination. The next morning, on having its second
reading, Mr.. Mann moved to refer the bill to the
Committee on Banks and Insurance Companics
as i proposed new system of banking, he thought
" would be the proper reference This was opposed
BY the majority, who desired that the Canal Com
mi,iee should take the bill in charge. Mr.. Mann
then moved 20 amend his motion, to refer that
part Of the bill relative to banking to the Bank
Committee, another portion TO the Judiciary Com
mttcc, report upon its constitutOnaity. the nan
cial portion to the Committee on Finance, aud the
remainder 10 tho Canal Committee. This PROPOSE
tion rejected, and the bill was finally referred
10 The Canal Committee, with n request that the
Judiciary Committee would report upon its con-
stiutionality.
The ncxt morning, April 9th, Mr.. Mann offered
resolution calling upon the Attorney General for
bis opinion az 70 Ill constitutonalty. This was
agreed to- BY inserting clause that he report with
ii three days. That rcpor, received on the 9TH,
against the bill. Mr.. Upham aud Mr.. Robinson,
a majority of the Canal COMMITTEES, on the 18th,
reported II favor If The BILL and Mr.. skinner made
q minority report.
The bin was made the special order for the It'll.
Among other propositions to amend, Mr. Mann
moved % amend the second section, by striking out
that portion which Gxss twcntyonc years rs the
limit for tie payment Of the certificates aud interest
aad provides that It shall be paid Of the revenues
Of the canals ~ the close Of each fiscal year. after
the completion of the enlargement aud the Genesee
Valley and Black River canals.
The majority made opposition to this by de.
bate, but voted it down. Mr.. Mann then proposed
-,