The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-04-15


the interest the canal debt failure to meet the
gagemens of the State would be Just cause for mort
tive branch of our to save our State from the
dscIed Of failing to provide for the prompt payment Of
appears from the reports of the Comptroller that the
revenues of the General Fund insufficient meet the
ordinary demands upon the Treasury Some provision
ment
Although the subject Of our internal improvements has
occupied the attention of the public and engrosssd much
of the time of the Legislature tho usual provision has
not been made for keeping canals in repair or for
paying the expense of their superntendence has any
appropriation been made OF their surplus for the
prosecution Of the work the Eric Canal Enlargement
Genesee Valley and Black River canals
W have heretofore deemed il my duty to call the aten-
ton of the Legislature to the necessity of making mme
date appropriations to secure some essential improve
these canals win be seriously embarrassed if mot dsas
rous obstructed unless the Improvement suggested in
my annual message and recommended by the State En-
gineer in his report to the legislature made at the
earliest practicable period. Unless the channels of
there canals immediately improved so as to
ADMIT Of the use of enlarged boats there is to
apprehend that business will be diverted from them for
thewant OF sufficient means Of transportation. As 1t
nearly double capacity Of these canals is probaoIe
that delay for the present season to make provisions
and its citizens an amount Of pecunary injury equal to
the cost of the improvements contemplated II these
improvements are made, they will in no degree conflict
with the proposed enlargement Of these canals On the
contrary, thay viii hasten the result by increasing
domestic con merce, cheapenng transportation and aug
feel that great injustice viii be done to our citizens
living along the line of the unfinished Genesee Valley
ana back River canals unless some immediate appropri
alton IS made towards their completion THE expenditure
Of S75 0C0 will connect the Black River canal with the
Black river at High Falls and enable the inhabitants
along fifty four miles Of that river and its tributaries to
uc for the purpose Of transporting their lumber and
ether products to market The Of $3.50 900 expende1
up the Genesee Valley canal will give to the nhabi
tnt living between its present terminus and Oean the
use Of that work for considerable portions Of the year. 1t
is to the inhabitants of those regions Ehosehopes
hg so 10nn tn with bholIo
small appropriations which would be of such essential
benefit to them and would be SO speedily refunded by
the contributions they would bring to canal
II cannot be doubted that the people of the State have
relied with confidence upon the present Legislature to
lateral canals the necessities of the present
mand and to prevent entire suspension Of the public
works The legislature has failed to make any provision
for the continued prosecution and completion Of
finished canals still entertain the opinion have here
toore expressed that the honor and interests of the
State of New York require the completion of the Erie ca
nal enlargement also think the Oswego and the Cay
and Seneca canals should be increased to the
proposed dimensions Of feet depth and seventy feet
width. have heretofore recommended that annual
appropriation of at least million OF dollars should be
secured by one Of the modes suggested by me, at the
efecting these objects. suggested moderate annual
appropriation because past experience and the history
OF our canals show that the efficiency of appropriations
depends less upon their amount than upon the wisdom
economy and fidelity with which they are applied
ALTHOUGH the legislature by prolonged discussion and
pr0po ed measures have recognized the importance of
completing unfinished works, plan has been adopt
ed for their continued Different propositions
have been made to raise the necessary funds taxation
and by amendments of the constitution. Two proposed
amendments to that instrument have been discussed
They differ to the amounts to be borrowed in each
year, the total amount of debt to bs created and the
mode OF repayment Of the money borrowed.
One proposes to borrow two and half millions in each
year. IN addition to the surplus revenues which would
swell the annual expenditures to than So 900 600.
and authorize an aggregate increase Of the indebtedness
proposes to borrow annually for six sue essve Years
sum which, with the surplus revenues would amount to
500 Geo. and would probably create aggregate in.
debedness OF So 600 0OO if tie proposed Improvements
are made.
The latter also distinctly guards against the appica
ton Of moneys be borrowed upon the contracts made
under the canal law Of 1851 is thus disconne tied
from The pecunary expectations OF any class OF citizens
The deep feeling excited in the public mind by the
nal lettings under the law Of 1851 .ted strong
opposition to anyiamendment Of the financial provisions
OF the constitution and the differences of opinion in
relation to them have obstructed legislation and pre-
our public works.
As the amendment to the constitution proposed in the
Assembly foibids that any money borrowed should be
applied to these contracts and directs that the work
be done shall be re let and awarded to the lowest bidder
1t VIII be received with more favor by the people of the
State is not to the suspicion OF being designed
to advance private interests.
The amendment also conforms to a suggestion made BY
me at the commencement of the session. that
amendment Of the constitution should be proposed
borrow to complete canals the manner sug
ssss al II RESPECTS to the
S BY regurng the Of sinking fund to
Within years tine Of It's creations and If
taxes.
In my opinion the amendment proposed in the Assem-
bly, is but calculated harmonic the conflicting views
entertained with regard to the proper mode Of securing
the completion OF our public works. and commend it
your favorable consideration.
As the measures for the immediate improvements de-
manded by the cSedtors of public works and those
and in no degree in conflict with each other the adoption
Of one should not be requvedas condition TO the
of the other.
For the heretofore stated have deemed it nv
duty TO pre- long this session Of the Legislature.
few days devoted at this time to the perfection Of
the important measures referred to, will not only pre-
vent great injury TO the public honor and interest but
will also the necessity of renewed examination and
discussion at q future day. HORATIO SEYMOUR.
No remarks maGe at the close of the reading OF
the Message.
THE ORDER OF BUSINESS.
Mr. Conger resolution respecting the condition of the
legislative business came up.
Mr. Cooley deemed it liable TO one great objection
This beyond peradvenure, is new and distinct session.
having no connection whatever with the former one
Much of the bunessonce sought hustled through
matured without due delberation having been
taken up in Communities of Whole properly considered
The committee Of eight having expedited it select COM
mttees composed of those friendly Such is the state of
nineteen twentieths of the business Is this egsAtou
Is this giving to the business of th State proper scru
tnys
Mr.. VAN seuooSHovrs (whg) thought the resolution
did not refer to the old business.
The resolution read.
Mr.. VAN ScHooNHoyEN thought we had better take up
the old business.
Mr. COOLEY understood the force of the resolutions to
be to take the business just where it left four
O'clock as If no adjournment had taken place. Mr.. c.
then continued in review of the haste which had cha
ractcrzed the proceedings Of the Legislature aluding
especially to the bill amending the emigration lava bill
unustied by any principles of justice and fraught
with mschief-a bill passed at midnight without
due debeaton Mr. c. ended by protesting against the
resolution as unadvisable and unconstitutional.
Mr. od M bau ~dx,;so
his resolution but to allow the due and immediate
sderation of the business left unfinished.
Mr.. VAN SCHooNHovKS suggested amendment, de-
fnng the resolution to apply to the unfinished business
Mr. PIERCE proposed to amend the resolution by speci
flying IL to intend the unfinished business
Mr. CoRNEL (dem suggested that it should also in
clude determination not to take up any new laws.
Mr. WARD presumed this resolution decreed by log.
rolling but he considered it tyrannca resolution and
fragrant violation of the constitution. great harvest
OF litigation would arise from IT, law, the certificate
which should state that passed the House at one
session. and the Senate at the other would lead grave
questions He feared the result would lead to great evil
in the legislation which should be made. In govern
ment formed like ours, of checks and balances bill
should be which Nj he of