The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1851-03-08


man. On Saturday each member OF the com.
mittee submitted lengthy and well considered re-
port. Mr.. johnson read an argument, showing
the Importance, in his opinion, of not only keeping
on the tolls the central line, but also of imposing
them all through freight carried on the Ogdens-
buygh road, and on all freight carried on the
Erie road, each way, between the village OF De-
post, in Delaware county. to the terminus on the
lake shore, as, on those distances, these roads
would compete with the Erie canal and, If not thus
taxed, would materially affect the revenue of that
canal. Mr., J. introduced bill in accordance with
his views.
Mr. Senator Mann, also of the committee, pre-.
scented voluminous argument, going greatly ints
detail, urging the improprlety and uselessness,
giving facts and statistics, OF abandoning the pre-
sent system OF imposing canal tolls on railroads.
HIS report was drawn up with the accustomed
ability of that careful and prudent Senator. He
was for removing the present restriction, believing
that the immense trade which must accumul ite
soon, between the far West and the Atlantic coast,
would require all the present facilities, and greatly
mere sed ones He did not desire TO cripple the
energies Of the newly opened roads-the Erie and
observation-disclosures, as yet, no evidence had
been afforded that The freight transported upon
the I'm had in any degree reduced the tolls on, or
drawn from the canals any important amount OF
legitimate business
Mr.. Schoonmaker, the other member of the COM
mitee, also Submitted his views on paper. He had
consented 10 the introduction Of Mr. Johnson's
bill, essrvipg o himselfihe privilege of submitting
amendments, as the niece ssity therefor occurred
TO him during the progress OF discussion upon it.
His report was of partial nature, not entering
very extensively into the policy of execting rail-
road tolls After few pages OF hair splitting, he
finally came TO the con cluson that the tolls should
be continued on the Albany and Buffalo road, and
sn equal amount imposed ON the Ogdensb irgh
road.
SO il appears that the Legislature have now be
fore them report from each member Of the COM
INIT aash fQPip uid elu frnrn tho ntha
result Of which will be- that no &C, is likely to pass
Committee of the Whole and is there discussed, Mr..
Mann will exercise oil his influence against it. and
enoe FAVOR 10 procure repeal of the law which now
exists upon the subject. MIR. Schoonm iker will
undertake so TO amend the bill as to exclude the
Erie road from its operations. Mr.. johnson will
oppose the propositions of both these gentlemen;
and the consequence will be that no law will pass
this session upon The subject and tee central line
Will be compelled 10 pay canal tolls another year.
There is great and manifest inju ice in the pre-
sent law, and it should either be amended 80 to
include all roads which draw off freight from the
Erie canal, or repealed forthwith IL certainly is
unjust and oppressive as it now stands. When ca
nal tolls were imposed n the central line of roads,
there was no Ogdentourgh road projected or sur
veyed. The Erie roa' had not then penetrated
far among the hills, ravines, and water courses
OF the Southern tier" il Was not then imagined
that the iron horse would 60 soon be seen prancing
upon the lake shore, and sending forth his shrii
EeghDgs over the blue waters Of Erie. But the
time has come when this work is about accom-
pIshed-when prodcce taken from the lake
schooneIs at Dunk rk, at the rising of the sun,
will be deposited shlpboard, or in stores in the
city of New York. before it sinks beneath the wes-
tern horizon. tins road, if any, will be compe-
titor with the peoples canal; and in less than a
twelvemoIth there will be borne upon its iron bed,
from the lake to the Atlantic, an amount of pro-
duce, and ptee rTsd, an amount of merchandise
which will be locked upon with profound amaze
ment.
Again. il il urged that the annual increase of
trade will furnish full employment, very soon, for
all the canals and railroads running through the
State; that they will all be crowded to their Ut
most capacity, and that the cheapness with which
freight can be carried on the canal, after the en-
largement shall be completed, will prevent any
material rivalry from railroads in the transpora-
ton OF the great staple articles of the country.
But if the State shall adhere to the present system
OF enforcing those tolls the central lines justice
to them demands similar imposition on the Erie
and Ogdensburgh Notwithstanding the fear that
many !, gislators express, that the canal revenues
might be greatly diminished by taking off these
railroad tolls, and thereby a longer time would
elapse before the completion of the canals, still,
many sound and discreet minds con8ur in the be-
lief that II would be wise policy, in liberal and
enlightened sense, to discontinue them on the lines
now paying, rather than extend the imposition upon
any others. w.