The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1855-03-31
The Proposed New Canal Lonn-UnexampIed
ProAigacy. y

The Proposed New Canal Loan-UnexampIed
Pronigacy. -
The secret is out. 1t is grab of three m I
lions the Seward men want; and the proposal
to tax the railroads proves to have been no
thing but hoax. Three millions in hard
money to be wrenched in lump out of the
pockets of the people: three millions to be add
ed to the nine voted some months back and
already squandered; three millions to be raised
for the purpose of supplying the sinews Of war
for the coming election: this is all these modest
fellows tell us they will be thankful for. See
how cunningly they have laid their plans
First we were told that, unaccountably and
contrary to all reasonable expectation, the
canal revenues were deficient by half million,
and that the deficiency would increase year by
year until the enlargement was made. This
may be said to have been the bandage prepara-
tory to bleeding. The people were shocked at
first; they knew there was fraud and corrup-
tiOn somewhere; but after all, half million
was not ruinous sum, and they made up their
minds to submit and pay. This point gained,
the next was to secure the assistance of the
railroad interest; quite strong enough, at need,
to defeat the three million grab. To attain
this end, the idea of laying a toll on the rail-
ways was started; and the thing sdone with
such seriousness and apparent honesty, that the
Presidents of the Central aud Erie were wholly
deceived. The fright having answered the de-
sired end, so far as they were concerned, the
real scheme has now been brought forward in
the shape of a report from the State Engineer,
stating that nine millions, voted some time
since, falls short Of their object and that three
more were needed: to obtain which new
amendment to the constitution will need to be
proposed.
1t is within the recollection Of every resident
of New York at all mindful ofsuch things, that,
when the nine million grant was put to the
vote, we said emphatically that it would not
answer the pnrpose--that it was not intend ed
it should-that the money was wanted as sop
to politicians, and would soon be exhausted aud
followed by fresh demands. 1t will also be re-
membered that the advocates OF the grant, the
Seward organs, and the wing and hardshell pa
pers generally, foamed with rage at this state
ment OF ours, called us all the hard names they
lemn way that the nine millions were the last
help the canals would require; and that IL it
were voted, the people would hear no more OF
them until they were yielding large revenue,
and paying for their cost over and over again.
1t was in reliance on this assurance that the
vote was given. The credulous people Of + he
State of New York believed what was promised
and now they have their reward.
II is not with the faintest hope Of doing good
or Of impeding the impending three million
fraud that we mention these things. The peo-
pie Of this State are accustomed to be cheated
by politicians and it is not probable that any
thing will ever cure them of the habit. We
are morally convinced that the proposal to
amend the constitution for the purpose of rails
ing the money will be shortly canvassed in the
Legislature That will be powerfully support
ed by the railroad interest, and through their
aid, will become law. That, on reference TO
the people, the same old promises will be made
by the Seward men and will be again believed
that much noise will be made about direct tax
of mill, which will brighten people terribly;
and thus, in the end, that the vote will be given
largely in favor of the three millions. The
money will be used to provide funds for Mr..
Stewards election committee next year. Finally,
the public will find it all out before the game
ended