The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1851-01-22
OUR ALBANY CORRESPONDENTS

OUR ALBANY CokREsPoNDEScE.
ALBANY, January 10, 1851.
Sslu0 Gyeys or Saver Platsf-Ths Canal board and
its APpointments-1a Western Trade, &c.
Previous to retiring from the ComptTollershp,
Washington Hunt was presented with an elegant
silver pitcher, accompanied with note, by the
clerks-some twenty in number-employed in that
office. Among them are several who manifest
great pretensions to democracy. When Mr..
Fillmore retired, to assume the duties of the
Vice Presidency, those clerks exhibited simi-
lar manifestations of respect, although then
through the medium of letter simply. Under
such testimonials, thus voluntarily rendered to a
retiring officer, Mr. Fuller, the in. coming Comp
troller, could not find it in his heart to discharge
either of them, though he may have suspected
their political integrity.
The Canal Board have designated the 5th prox-
mo, as the time when they will commence making
appointments of collectors, superintendent, inspec-
tors, weigh masters, and lock tenders, for the en-.
suing year The two democratic commits sioners
and lock tenders, as the subordinates whose duties
come directly under their supervision, and allow
the wing majority of the Board to select their own
friends for collectors and the other officers. There
will certainly be fight in relation to this matter
and the majority Of The Board having the control,
Of course, will eventually control the appointments,
let the consequences be what they may Under
such state OF things, where there can be no con-
cert OF action, the public interests must unques.
tonably suffer. 1t has proved SO during the last
year, when one commissioner only had to submit
10 the dictation under which he was placed. and
which essentially cramped him in the faithful dis
charge OF his duties II is not intended by THE re
mark, to censure Mr.. Follett in any controversy
which he may have had with Mr.. Oothout, the
Superintendent; because the fact is well known
that Mr.. =; was backed by the majority OF the
Canal Board.
The Board have also notified the public that on
the 18th instant, they will enter upon the consldera
ton of regulating the tolls on all the canals, for the
season OF 1851. This matter will require the most
careful attention. The western part of this State,
(being "yeung lion" no longer, as when Francis
Granger was in the Legisature,) has demanded q
reduction Of the tolls on the panals, on some
uees-four for one-ef fifty per cent. The cities
and villages from Utica eastward, have spoken EN-
phaticay and will present such facts and statistics,
(mainly collected Oy Mr.. Barton, of Buffalo,) in
relation TO the trade and tonnage of the great west,
which seeks the tide waters, as will prove power
full in demanding large reduction of tolls. Ii is
believed by many forwarders and shippers, that an
increased revenue wi be derived, should the expert
ment be tried. ltisaeged that before the Erie canal
becomes eenstituionaliy enlarged, some ten years
hence, one third of the amount OF articles passing
forwards aid backwards, between New York and
BOsen, and The great, growing West, will be trans
ferTed permanently TO other routes of conveyance.
Another formidable competitor has arisen in the
northern section Of the State-lhe Ogdensburgh
Railroad-over which daily transported some i've
10 eight thousand barrels of flour, and other pro-
duce in proportion, which starts from the upper
lakes, is carried around Buffalo, by way of the We'll
land canal, landed at Ogdensburg, from vessels,
and transferred 10 rail cars, and sent directly
10 Boston. The great progress making in the
construction of the Erie road, leaves no further
room TO doubt It's completion to Lake Erie in q
twelve month. This road has been built with
view OF transporting freight, being o. wider track,
by which means larger cars, and OF heavier bur-
then, will be used, Than on any other road in the
country. IL is also contemplated to run train
through from the Lake to the ocean IN twenty-four
hours, and when the lateral road down to Jersey
City shall be completed, to run through by day
light. Another competitor Is also raising its head;
and that is the Sackett's Harbor and Saratoga
road, its survey being already made, making
the distance some 10 miles, through what
is known in the northern regions as "John Browns
tract" embracing the dense wilderness of North
ern Herklmer ana Hamilton counties. This road
running from Sackett's Harbor into the Saratoga
or Schenectady road, II is said will be a nearer
route by nearly hundred miles, TO Boston, than
either the central Albany and Buffalo roads, or
the tOgdensburgh road; and as an encouragement
for the construction OF II, the State Legislature, in
ls4S granted the company two hundred and fifty
thousand acres OF land, al the nominal price OF Ii We
cents per acre This will be very important avenue,
and will also prove quite formidable competitor in
the transportation Of western produce Strange, the
State OF New York should make such a donation
10 assist IN building railroad which will unavoid
ably draw from the Erie and Oswego canals a
large amount Of trade.
Here, then, il is evident that there will be several
competitors tor the Western trade-two in the
course of the year 1882 aud the third in the
OF two or three years more, al farthest. Will II
not become indspensably necessary for the Cana
Board, under such circumstances, to adjust the
cost OF transportation so as to preserve the trade
which now passes over the artificial waters OF the
state! IL Is an important question, and IL the peo-
pie have agents competent to the task, IT will be
fortunate for them. w.
ALBANY, January IL, 1851.
-fnsnding the Code Of PrOcedvs - The Death
Penalty COmpromiss ResOiutro~s - Uxfairnsss
IN aPyoi~ti~g tho Canal Commitee-Ncp York
Haybor Mdstos--7h Nc Confsss,sn of DS~bar, the
Mvsoer, SC.
cedure-that portion OF IL which was legalized in
Is49 This Is done in the act just passed, relating
TO the Superior Court. by which the 10th section
OF the code 10 amended. No wonder that his
honor, Judge Edmonds, and other eminent jurists,
denounce the productions Of David Dudley Field,
David Graham, and Arphaxed Looms, whereby
the entire proceedings in the practice Of our courts
become obscure, ambiguous, and Of doubtful import.
An attempt was made, a few days since, in the
Legislature, 10 take up for consideration the re-
mainder OF the report Of the commissioners OF the
code remaining unegalized; and from expressions
then made by certain leaders in the Senate, il
appears that when the report shall be taken az
for ration, IL will be through speed.
~ as possible; just as it came from the hands OF
the commissioners. u may be well to pursue
this course, probably, as to compel the judiciary
committee TO devote the greater portion Of their
Tune revise IT. for certain Il is that future legis-
lalioa will amend IT. as the experience of the pro-
iessson shall dictate and require.
petitIon was presented TO the Senate few
days since, signed by VIM. q. Bryant, and few
others Of the city Of New York, praying the Legs
latufe 20 enact law abolshing capital pnnish-
mept. Yesterday, Senator Williams, from that
city, made a motion that the select committee, 70
whom the petition had been referred, be instructed
u report bll IN accordance with the desires OF the
petitioners, he being chairman Of that select com
nnttee. Tkis molten attr acted the attention 81
several OF the leading Senators, and one or two re-
marked thai they would most willingly CRAFTY the
senior memher in almost any reasonable request