The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1851-06-11

Thus we perceive that after perfectng what has been
commenced there will be neither necessity
new enterprises at the cost Of the treasury beyond the
udicsus application Of the ample revenues which the
canals, when released from all ncumbrance will place
the disposal Of our successors.
Whether the State continue to possess those sovereign
powers and faculties which necessary o expedite the
completion Of the canals without transcendng the m-
tati0s Of the constitution Is question which dema
your enlightened consideration Assuming the necessi-
ty for action to be hhed You called upon to de-
teImine in what manner the object hall be attained
In commu9 9cating my views at the commencement OF
the annual session desueu mos. becoming and re.
spectful TO submit this question to the superior wisdom oi
the Legislatures entertaining on my part earnest desire
to cooperate in any practical measure which you shor
deem free from constitutional objection Regarding the
considerations in favor Of more efficient and vigorous
progress paramount and sclfevideNt did not hesi
tate to such amendment of the consttu-
tion should confer the requisite authority if IN your
Judgment judcous plan of action could be aiered
consistently with the financial provisions If that nsryu
ment Our first and highest obligation Is To- preserve ia
violate the principles Of the organic law which have
sworn to support Whatever aiifsr of opinion may
arise touching the Interpretation OF particular PROVISIONS
II should be our constant aim to give full effect 10
all its requirements No considerations Of expe-
ture from its true intent and spirit rle financial pro-
visions OF she constitution intended, not TO defeat
but TO ins ure the completion OF the Erie Enlargement
and the Black River and Genesee Valley Canals. For
nearly five years these works had been suspended
majority in the Conv of 1876 that they
should be resumed and finished They dedicated the
entire surplus canal to this object after making
certain reservations for the payment Of the existing debt
aud the support Of government 1t hardly concevabv
that they would have refused to permit the early
plshment Of object for which they csrefy provd
ed, If IT could have been supposed that individuals
would consent to furnish the at once,
simple assignment Of the surplus with special
dtons that the purchasers should the transfer
contingency ls II reasonable, rs IL ju TO the repua-
tion Of eminent for their wisdom and saglrity
conclude that while requiring the performance Of
they helss INTENDED 20 deprive the L-gslat
the pov to employ the means which they placed Ut its
dsposn in such manner to execute the design in the
mot economical manner and in the shortest possible
period.
bile pledge Of the revenue in the nature of a col
lateral security the payment Of money borrowed u
the general credit OF the would clearly f.4
within he prohibition Of section ~ article OF ihe
sttution it seems equally clear that absolute assign
Ion Of the plus a The risk OF the holder made
tie purpose Of obtaining funds III advance to perform
che very work for which such urI u is appropriated by
Ne constitution must be Within the discretion Of the
Legislature This pr position Is established 10y the
garments Of able and eminent jurists. whore opinions
have been heretofore submitted 10 consideration
The constitutional power Of the Legislature to author
ze assignment OF the surplus without the
state in Of deficiency with view to realize the
funds in advance Tor the parpOse of attaining the
object to which the surplus i pledged by coustitu-
tion. never appeared to me to be doubtful But 1t is
proper for me TO observe that in nv annual n- sage
refrainod from recommending to this mode
an apprehension that holders Of capital nigh hesitate to
invest their funds In stock containing ohg lou
guarantee by the State for the sucency OF the revenue
and for the cf principal ald interest in of
deficiency Your attention called to the objections
which seemed to conflict with the Feasibility Of the plsn
These objections sns my r,h"nsious have been oov
att in the well natu ed provisions ~ the bill pend
Ing before the Senate. and by reliable that
capitalists tand ready to purchase the proposed
certificates on terms favorable to the State
The steady increase of canal tolls for years past and
the constant growth Of the Western States from whicha
similar progress msy be anticipated Ia future,
have inspired firm confidence In the sufciency tho
revenues even among those who are least inclined to be
crsduluus upon such sut,c On this pout IL is sat
factory 10 observe, that, notwithstanding he recent
duction Of 25 cent in the rates Hour and wheat
the amount Of tolls received fer the first
ygaton present season sT-3 lse -. being AN
increase Of S706o SO the corresponding period II
last year Nor need there b. any apprehension that thu
canal will be diminished after the completion
OF the enlargement, by the competition of railroads. Ii
having been demonstrated that those balky commodities
frem which the largest amount of toll l. derived can be
conveyed ut less cost by the canal than b. any other
artificial mode Of transportation,
The enlargement uf the Oswego canal IL subject
which demands your early and fsvorabl consideration
IL is Of the utmost Importance to the public interests
that this improvement should he accomplished simul.
tansousy with the enlargement of Erie canal in
der that the two main chai pels Of portation
munieating with tue lakes may be placed on footing u
equality in respect to canal boats of the largest capacity
Instead of viewing the Erie and oswcgo canals
ncting aud hostile interests cannot but regard them
essential parts II wise and harmonious system OF in
t.rnai navigation, both having equal claims upon the
favor q the state aud being equally necessary to at
act the trade Of the Western states and the province u
CansdS TO cur commercial emporium
Partial provision made for the Improvement Of the
oswego canal by the Legislature 81 s4' by apprpratng
100000 ot Bank Fund stock which belonged TO the
Canal FUND at the adoption Of the tuon Il 1876
Although portoh Of the canal revenue Is applicable
to this object, objection Il perceived direct loan
Of the amount rrqurd for the completion Of TIA. work
under the 10th section of the financial article
IL affords sincere satisfaction to b- enabled to
congratulate you the final completion Of the New
York and Erie railroad This stupendous work. after
receiving an impulse from ths partial aid Of tho
State, has been cousu minated by the matchlcss en-
crsy aud unfsnR perseverance OF small portion uf
citizens acting in concert AMI with determination
to furmount obstacles which seemed for years TO be
invinoible. They have executed their design at cost
of twenty millions of dollars, hng more than twio.
the amount required by the state to finish the
largement Of the Erie Canal. The completion Of ths
great highway cannot fail to confer lasting benefits upon
the people Of the southern tier Of counties whose posi-
tion bad long excluded them from equal participa-
tion in system n internal improvements II adds
another link to the golden chain which unites New
York 70 the States d the Northwest by the voluntary
ties II reciprocal commerce. mutual interest," aud fra
tcrnsl attachment.
II should be constant aim TO he trade Of
those vast communities beyond US This prize Is to be
won. not by one route or channel monopoliking the
whole but by generous comprtiton cheapcnng trans
porston and presenting thosc varied facilities and In
ducsm ntS which will xiv. p.rmanenre To- our CONNER
eial r.istions with n-ighbors making them alike
beneficial to both broad aud liberal vi Of the sub
jeet mus ssbfy all unprjudced minds that the sup
possd conflict Of Int. betw, nails aud rail-
roads u apparent than resl Each mode Of com
municston viii have its appropriate labor to perform,
and In their efforts the traffic ~hich they
adapted they must contribute la small degree TO
the % each other There IL occasion to ap
for tho convenience of the Western trade and travel
viii out.trp the constant increase of production and
business between the lakes aud the Mississippi
Prom the returns Of tn. received At the Depart
ment Of the Interior appears that this STATE VIII be
entitled TO thirty three Representatives In the Congress
a ths United states under the enumeration and appor
~ nment Of 1850. Our population has advanced from
2ls WI to 1850 or In cfce Of ten years yrt without
any change Of numbers In the popur branch ofCongress
this State will suger loss of msmber In it, national
repress ntsion This fact presents impressive Illus
raton OF the rapid prugres Of the states In the
Wet.
Concerning the ordinary topics cf legislation submit
ted TO your attention in my annual message, aud t
undsposed Of deem u sufficient 10 rrternte the views
heretofore expressed and recommend that they
receive such early action ne your sense Of public duty
shail dictate.
In conclusion avail myself of the occasion to express
my ardcnt hope that spirit q elevated patriotism mar
inepir. your cOuncil and that your deliberations
der the blessing of Providence tend to perpetuate
the honor OF the stat. aud the welfare of the people
WASHINGTON HUNT.
ErrcvrrrE Cn.NprR, Albany, June 10, 1851.
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NEW YORK LEGIsLATURE.
Senate.
rNTRA