New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1851-03-20
The sodus Bay CanaI-'shrIeks of Locality,


To me Editor Of The Tribune:
From long perusal eff your paper know you to
be the advocate OF even handed and impartial
Justice, and opposed to those sectional feelings
which tend so much to retard improvements
which are of manifest Importance.
This spirit seems to be gaining ground, and as
contend, if encouraged, will lead to results dis.
astrous to the best interests of our State.
refer to the strong demonstrations being made
by citizens of Oswego and other portions of the
State, in opposition to the re charter OF the SOdus
Bay Canal. Means are brought to bear to defeat
the bill, which, to say the least are exceedingly
uDgenerous. Having received from the public
purse Of both the State and Nation appropriation
after appropriation, until they have more than ex-
ceeded those of any other locality, save the City
Of New. York and environs-in fact, having almost
everything-they have asked for an increase OF
their natural advantages, and are now presenting
a bill involving from one to two hundred thousand
dollars for the State to pay for damages sustained
by contractors upon their canal 1t comes with
very bad grace, this violent opposition TO bill
providing for an extension OF facilities to another
section, whereas not cent is asked from the
public treasury and in prosecuting this opposi-
from Oswego River and the Erie Canal, which
they know are bat scare crows to aid them in
their scheme Of depriving large portion OF the
Stateof come of the'privileges whichthey possess.
Last Winter they were enabled, by having the
Chairman Of the Committee one OF their own men,
to smother the bill, and they are striving to effect
he same object now.
The citizens of 0swego must remember that
other portions of the State have claims as well as
themselves. We want an outlet for the immense
beds of Gypsum which lie upon the shores OF our
Lakes. The Coal Of Pennsylvania would here
find access to every point upon the great Lakes
our yearly increasing trade with Canada and the
Lakes would here find the nearest points BY
which their vessels could approach the City OF
New.York without breaking bulk thus atfording
the cheapest means Of transit for freight in exis
tence to that City, RIA the New ork and Erie
Railroad and here they would find natural har-
Dor where the whole Lake marine could lie IN
s~fety-
This is not a new project, but originated as far
back as when Simeon De Witt was Surveyor
General of the State. He was its warm friend,
and it has ever received the appreciation alton Of exPe
means Of increasing the revenue OF the Erie
Canal, as freight discharged at this point would
pay the State some 20 miles more tolls than II 1t
came upon the Canal st Syracuse. The former
charter was granted and the stockholders endeavor.
ed TO carry It out in good faith but the financial
revolutions OF SO and 81 OF which even our great
State felt the sad effects ruined the prospects OF
it's friends and wrecked their fortunes. These
men crave the boon OF rendering available their
former investment, which wasspent in the partial
completion Of the work. No one can deny the
fact that it is work OF great importance to the
City Of New York as well az those portions OF the
State more Immediately interested, as produce,
&c. would 60 directly TO the city, and have no
chance of being detained by other routes.
And as to the real objection OF those opposing
the bill, that il would make q new channel of
trade which should draw somewhat from their
OVID | would simply state the fact that the
growing trade of our country keeps pace with
the increased facilities for doing the same for in
stance, where was there ever local work that
met with the opposition which the Erie Railroad
received The struggle was long and severe;
the Canal interests, the various railroad corpora
items, and almost the entire force Of the Northern
part Of the State were arrayed against it. But
what does the result prove
Notwithstanding the teeming business OF this
road, whose benefits the city cannot over estl-
mate, still the receipts Of the Canal or Northern
Railroads do not show any falling of. And so 1t
will continue. The daily growing trade with the
West ard the Canadas will fill all the various
avenues in contemplation, in it's transit to tide
water. / have simply given utterance to the
feeling with regard to this subject which per
vades this portion Of our State and would ask
If It is any more than what we are Justly entitled
TO- and what the State is in honor bound TO grant.
TONPRISs.