The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1852-02-03

HE CANAL NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. AND FL
NAsoH-We now publish another bat,h OF tho
canal biddings, which, with the exception OF the
eastern section, completes the whole OF che offers
presented to the canal notwithstanding about SIX
thousand in all-of which only one thousand have
been successful; and these, contrary to all prece
dent, and JUSTICE and public decency, are the high.
est bids, making difference of three millions Of
dollars 70 the state, beyond what the work ought
70 have fairly cost. This seandalous job, rs COZ
rupt it lie gigantic in its extent, has led TO in
vestiga.ion at Albany; but it is all for BQnc,mbe,
and will never amount to anything.
The canal enlargement, from its first ommence-
ment 20 its final settlement, was q favorite mea-
sure Of the whig party, and it was carried and
completed, not only for the purpose OF finishing the
cauals--which was itself highly popular movement
with the inhabitants Of the districts through which
the canals passed-hut also to the political in
fuence which the iMmense patronage would give
them, by placing in their hands the contrasts, asd
the employment Of 60 vast q number of persons
along these lines Of publio works, al Of whom
Toald be, Of course, most loyal and patriotic to
their bread and butter
The project, as first presented to the Legislature,
in 1851, was regarded Of great public benefit,
but Of doubtful constitutionality. To prevent the
increase Of the public debt in this State, clause
had been inserted in the constitution, prohibiting
any Legislature from contracting any more public
debts, unless to meet casual deficits failures in
revenues, or for expenses not provided for bat
sush debt or debts not to exceed in the aggregate
at any time, ono million Of dollars and it was
specially provided in the constitution that the canals
should be completed by their own surplus revenues
yo rtad NV he
proposition now carried into effect OF issuing bon is
to the amount Of nine millions fdolars, predcated
not ns debt of the State, but liability on its
revenues, and to be paid out Of those revenues-a
very nice distinction, without any kind Of difference
to mere ordinary minds.
In view Of this violation Of the spirit, if not Of
the letter, Of the constitution large portion of the
democrats, particularly the barnburners, seeing
the effect the measure would have in giving rrc.
ponderance of political power to the opposite party
opposed it with all their might in the Legislature
and, when they could not defeat it in any other
way, resigned their seats in the Senate, and thus
left the house without q quorum; and the wheels
Of legislation were stopped. The democrats were
asHaied for this STEP unconstitutional, tyran-
ncal, revolutionary act Of tho minority but they
justified themselves by the expediency and neces-
sity Of defeating the unconstitutional proceedings
Of the maj ority till the people should have time to
pronounce upon the measure. The question was
brought before the people in practical shape, in
the elections for the vacant places Of the resigned
members, called last summer by the Governor
The democrats harped upon the profigacy and pro-
digality Of expanding SO large sum of money for
party purposes, and painted in glowing colors the
hardships Of increased taxation, while, of the
constitutional nature Of the measure, there could
not be doubt. The wings, on the other hand,
dwelt on the utility of the work in developing the
resources of the State, and appealed to the in
terests Of those already in employment under the
Canal Board, and of tho host Of expectants who
looked forward to the feahering Of their nests by
the contracts. The combined influence Of corrup.
ton and public utility prevailed, and the canal
enlargement candidates were elected by the people,
without any reference to the question of the IN.
constitutionaliy Of the project. At the elections
las. fall o similar result followed, and tie wings
again triumphed.
The proposition, therefore, passed the Legisla-
ture, and has been carried into effect by ccmona
ton between the Seward action and the silver grsy
Of one party, and the hunkers Of the other, leaving
out the barnburners, who had led the pposition
The consequence is that 10000 or 80, 900 men, em
plcyed on the canal enlargement works, will place
the balance Of political power in the hands of the
Seward wings, who are the most numerous section
the coalition, and viii have, therefore, complete
control Of the rext elections, and for some time to
come, unless so far as this prepondorauce may be
counterroiSed by the new temperance movement,
which aspres to the position os turning the scale
whichever way it will. SO We are between two
fTes-and the fight for the State must yet go on.
Ole Bulls MOVEMENTS. Ball, tho cole
bIated Norwegian artist, left town yesterday for