The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1851-04-23
The Legislative Explosion and the Canal
Policy.

We give in our columns, to-day, the manifesto
issued by the whig members of the Legis-
hture, by whose schemes the side, and
opposition on the other, the session was abruptly
terminated by the secession of twelve Senators,
and vast amount Of public business cut off in mid
career, the most important being the law autho-
rixing sort Of loan of nine millions Of dollars for
the enlargement Of the canals. Tomorrow
shall publish the manifesto Of the democratic
members. These documents contain the views, the
party tactics, the selfshness, and the violence of
she two factions all of which are developed in full,
and without any reserve.
thorough examination and a calm review Of
the measure which produced the catastrophe in
Albany have satisfied that the whole question
might be contained in nutshell of common sense.
The loan proposed by the whg party, for the CON-
pleton of the canals, under all the circumstances of
the case, certainly to be unauthorized by the
constitution, ii must be understood by plain and
unsophisticated men. The opposition of the de-
mocrats, on constitutional grounds, if they deem
the organic law Of Importance than the i'm
provement and enlargement Of the canals, is also
perfectly correct. Their secession may be called
revolutionary, and violent, and rash; bat still it
strictly parliamentary, and is authorized in extreme
eases Of abuse Of power by majority. When the
law first proposed, although were in favor
Of enlarging our internal Improvements, BY loan. or
in any other feasible manner thought looking at
the constitution fall in the face. that the plan ought
have been accompanied with proyiso to refer the
constitutional question 70 the people. This is our
sonvie;ion and it i entertained not only by great
proportion Of the democrats, but by large body Of
independent wings in this region. The measure,
however, is in some degree removed from the con-
\ - /. - -
all its representations, practical, financial
feasible, and otherwise Yet the special election
VIII hardly be fair test Of the sentiment Of the
whole state Of New York on that important ques
sion We would rather that the enlargement ofthe
canals, in ite broadcast aspect, could be presented
10 the people at large, together with tie propo-
sition whether il would not even be better 70
change the Erie canal into railroad, and have the
whole matter decided upon az once. A rich, or
wealthy, or cntcrprizing State or people should
never be adverse 70 the crcstioa Of a reasonable
public debt, provided i i properly laid out and
with reasonable prospect q an income arising
hon i. IN fact. We think that instead Of nine mil
pons Of dollars, twenty millions might be uscfully
Appropriated by thu state IN internal improve
msnts, and that tie city Of New York itself could
judieiousy cxpend ten millions sf dollars in the
river-that !: would Be capital well laid ont. and
would b. productive x vast and n sh;y advantage
W the city.
But he special election which i before Is does
rot prcse At. - tie vhoss people, ths matter in
legitimate shape. The question Fill be narrowed
down 70 decision a. The polls "a tho conduct Of the
twelve seeding senators and i the people in
their districts should from aay cause refuse 70 re-
turn two, or three, or four Of Tie twelve the Le-
sislaturc will have the power u pasring the obnox
ious law creating the contingent deb, Of nine mil
hons Of dollars. and Of defeating Toe democrats On
their constisuti5 nal stand. The chances are. &C.
esrding TO the latest indications, that The wings
have the best end Of the controversy. The people,
at the polls, have the power to decide, no, only "a
he coustitutonaliiy Of the measure, bu. also "a IT,
policy. L. prcpuety, and its rracti.ability. ifthcy
decide against The seeding democrats the victory
will be with the wings
Nov, What We object to in the whole scope Of this
controversy i, that with tho prospect Of victory
N favor q the enlargement Of The canal, notwith-
standing the opposition q tho democrats, Or the
rival interests II the railroad companies, the whole
advantage q the movement will 20 in favor Of the
Seward dynasty II this state, both at present and
for years @ como Is il q mixed and important
question e. presents itself az this time and II Is
only nov and again We can see 4 glimpse OF day
light beyond 'he next contest 4. the polls We
rather thnk, however. that Tho Wigs viii carry
their points from thc tendency II tbo Times II.
wards all sorts u imitation aud thc mourning or debts
Of oil kinds, and from tn, general pro.perty AL
luxury around o.. IN 1851 rs aal 30 18Th r,.,ios
In this state were actuascl ~ ta9 ame arnciples
Of expansion, speculation, ard foly large RI.
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