New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1853-11-22
THE CANALS OF NETWORK.

ton of the Mohawk as far as where now stands the
euterprisng village Of Rome, crossed to Wood Creek
which flows into Oneida Lake, and thence descended
to the sources of the Susquehanna, in this state In
the words Of Gov Seward "The destiny of our
country seems to have been opened up to the mind
of Washington with clearness almost equal to that
"With which the varied career Of the chosen people
was revealed to their prophetic leader The idea
OF an artificial water communication between the Hui-
son and the great lakes Swallowed forth in Wash
iugton mind even at this early period. Would to
God" said be, "that may have wisdom to i'm
prove these advantages In l75iChristopher COLES
submitted 10 the Legislature proposals for removing
distractions TO the navigation of the Mohawk River.
He subsequently proposed to form company TO "im-
"prove tie inland navigation between Albany and Os-
"weeo" But his plans were deemed too visionary,
and no public action crowned his labors
In 1871 Gov. George Clinton renewed the sub
iect Pursuant TO Lis suggestions, the Western In
L" land Lock Navigation Company" incorporated
with a capital of $4,000 In 1900 Governor Morris
suggested direct and continuous communication be-
tween Lake Erie aud Hudson River. Simeon Dewitt,
James Ceddes and Jesse Hawley followed up the idea.
The latter with singular vgor and prophetic cearness
traced the outline of tie Erie Canal in series Of able
ESSAYS written in a debtor prison.
In 1867 Albert Gaatin recommended this enterprise
to the attention of Congress- at the request of Presi
dent Jefferson Next year Joshua FOrman, from Onon-
daga County, moved, in the Assembly, the appointment
of joint committee TO consider the propriety of max
ing IN accurate survey Of the most direct route
for canal from Lake Erie to the Hudson, " to the
end that Congress may be enabled to appropriate
" such sums may be necessary to accomplish this
great national object" In 1911 the Commissioners
OF Survey made favorable report On the presenta-
ton Of this report De Wit Clinton introduced bill
increasing the number Of Commissioners, and empow
eiing them to apply to Congress for aid in the under
taking. This application unsuccessful In 1912
law was enacted rejppointing the Commissioners and
authorizing them to borrow and fund money and take
cessons OF land, but prohibiting any measures to con-
struct tie canals.
From 1912 TO 1915 the war almost excluded the sub
iect from the attention Of legislators and people. The
enemies of the enterprise however did not allow the
occasion TO pass without giving deadly stab to the
project II was, in fact, virtually abandoned by ma
jOrity of eighteen in the Assembly and eight in the
Senate. But in 1916 Gov Tompkins breahed new life
into it. memorial in favor Of prosecuting the canal
presented to the Legislature from the City of New
York, drawn up by De Witt Clinton. Other cities and
towns also poured in petitions for renewal of action
De Witt ClintOns memorial was able and eloquent.
bill providing for the immediate commencement of the
canals after four weeks discussion passed tie Assem-
bly, by vote of 81 to Is, and the Senate by 10 to 6.
Among those who voted nay Walter Bovine,
Clarkfon Crous and the whole NewYork City delega-
ton in both Houses.
On the 4th of July 1917, ground was broken for the
construction of the Erie Canal, at Rome. De Witt
Clinton had just previously been elected Governor and
enjoyed the satisfaction OF being present President
of the Board of Canal Commissioners. In 1919 he an
nounced in his message to the Legislature that the pro-
gress Of the public works equaed the most sanguine
expectations In 1620 he stated that the portion
of the canal between Utica and Rome had been opened
10 navigation and at the time warned the Legisla
ture to beware of an "asdHOas eHnity' against the
enterprise that followed its gratifying progress In
1872 lie recommended various to forward the
work, and referred 70 many endorsements that Lad
been encountered In 1893 JosephC Yates elected
Governor
On the 10Th of April, 1924, concurrent resolution
that De Witt Clinton Esq be and is hereby removed
" from the Office of Canal Commissioner, passed the
Assembly by ca to 81 and the Senate by 81 TO 3 In
1875 De Witt Clinton, then Governor OF the State,
congratulated the Legislature upon the prospect Of the
immediate completion Of the Erie Canal In 1926,
suppresng all feelings of sefgratuation be announced
TO the Legislature that the 10Th of October pre-
vouf, Tho Erie Canal was in naygable condition for lis
entire length IT. whole cost stated at 80 1900
In 1896 the debt for the construction Of the Canal hay
Ing virtually become cxtingushed, the Legislature di
fccted that enlargement should be undertaken when
in tho opinion Of tho Canal Board the public inter
est should require H. In 1857 the Commandments re-
ported TINT progress had been made In tho enlargement
aud recommended its more speedy prosecution Gov
Mafcy ~ bic message Of isjs also urged Tho propreiy
u is completion al tho earliest practicable porl,d
~ ie'y. Governor tewaid. 10 his hfst annual ines
saga renewed tho recommendation ia tho following
sbeuasei "IL,teaD gaais experience has proved tho
inadegasey ~ al ouf th0ougties ioi tho lsaaspof
teton ~ fe6ans aud property between the rsoitioi
snJ ids raiefs n 10 sgbnittsi WhDibei ssaaj
"p0licy dees set require Lat Lg enlargement Ut Tho
Tie tsnai maj b. aeAfisled 40 speedily DC nag be-
"'Dnsflsit Win iba puiig asAi1ica lids eaassa
Da maya vel participate 10 10 aaiiDd i.a.ase.
,esles iLss iis Ines ~ i.ie.Ds gfDH pa.liai ~.
pobdiigscs oe,iAe iDns iesa ~ lsass D. ea a4t
"saimpDasAii sDd ike s@realss ~ ifAg-Lif.e.t 4ai
htes iDesAf s.ispe,s .esnitag ia lbs s4iipA vi
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