New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1857-08-11
LETTERS FROM THE PEOPLE
THE ERIE CANAL, SHALL 1T BE SOLD

Erie and Cbampain Canals and the extravaganc, and
frauds Of the enlargement. did so 10 show tina; the
evils now generally and justly compissed of are not
inherent but durable; that there has been and there
fore may again be, something like common sense and
honesty employed in the management OF the State
canals unless there has been general and complete
popular generalization as to render the people unfit
TO ansge their own property. For it is true that the
strongest perhaps the only sound reason for sale is
the in ability OF present owners to age properly
A reference to few incidents Of the enlargement
may be more pertnent.
It's commencement was premature. prudent
owrer would have accumulated for q few wears the
net income of the ED works. before commencing their
rebuilding. go
consideration Of the question of undertaking the work
flat when once entered upon, there might be more
unanimity in it prosecutions and consideration
Of the details as to width, depth, size Of locks &c.
would not have been without advantage.
But the wort of all was, that, in the commencement
the Lost e1travagant and expensive plans found too
much favor and economy and utility were sacrificed
for arcbte ctural beauty and ornament.
The Democratic Legislature of 1916 appointed q
Joint COMMITTEE to investigate canal frauds and man.
sgement The duties Of that Committee were well
discharged The mistakes and mismsnagemeut of its
nary friends were not attempted to be concealed.
An instructive book of near THOUSAND pages con-
tame th.r port and evidence. As to the enlarge
m.pt the conclusions OF that Committee were
follows - .,,
the work on Erie Canal ena and the the
manner doing the work during its largely increasing
Second The injurious consequence, forcing
,r.ct so much thus destroying in very great
The careless estravasaut and corrupt course pro-
ceeopgs part Of Of the engineer. and contractors
and in some Of the Commissioners. vastly increasing the
smoun,s p beyond the to which they
were properly entiiied
The Committee conclude:
a. ,ta md IN far fba
ment been Of an economical as well as substantial
character, and had the course Of expenditure been
cautious ard prudent. the amount OF money which has
been elItIded would have gone far toward COM
pleon OF the works upon which it has been thus
wsst, d. ard very large proportion OF it WORSE THAN
Aud vet so little had in fact been accomplished by
this expenditure, nearly equal to the whole SUN really
Tor tie Convention Of 1916 to decide whether the
work should be allowed to proceed, or such provisions
inserted in the Constitution as to compel its entire
abandonment and the payment of the squandered
millions by tolls Of the unimproved canal ia addition
10 the debts incurred for the nonpaying ateras aud
every deficit Of the general fund debt.
The Convention, by close vote, refused to adopt
such provisions and pledged the anticipated annual
,urpss of the revenue the completion of the work.
These would have been sufficient for the completion
before this time, with such adm nisraton by the
Ii Qi.lature and Canal officers as characterized our
earl, history but which by continuation Of the prol-
pacy inflated by the enlargement leaves with
finished works and largely increased debt.
u this proposition seem extiavagant, let II De re-
mtnbered that the Legislature early commenced frit-
t,,ne away ard inparing Canal revenue, and the
Canal Board aided by a reduction Of tolls.
Railroads Incorporated with liberal special charters
for carrying passengers, were released from the con-
differs upop which they might carry freight, and an
cessary aid unp'ofable competition invited ana
secured. -
The surplus weters of the low level across the valley
Of the Csyuga, where the waters of Lake Erie aud
the Gene. ee were TO meet the waters reserved tor
canal use east Of the Cayuga, We're given away by
low The spirit and the letter Of the Constitution
were disreearded in these enactments; but as yet
there bns been remedy, except to supply the conse
quent deficiency Of means by loans or the imposition
| If Cuecttsxes
1t hes taken time to prepare the public mind for
erect taxation little more foresight and bold
ness In public than we have for some years had
the bent fit of, to recommend and impose them ana
now, tb. me asure is uhacc9mpah,eu oy any new
securiiies for the economical and .fecfual application
Of these taxes to the end for which they are TO be
atbel ed. And am free to admit my fears that We
are OF 10 zee a spt edy completion Of the work We
hould not Close our eyes to the fact that great III
teres' will be promoted by continuing as long a. pos
rlte tn. Erie Canal in it's present crippled condition
Local p(Osop, to greater or less extent, has al
ways existed not ouy to the construction but to the
| in provtnert Of the canals
| TIE railroad continuation consolidated few years
apo by a plant Legislature. h.s established die
.storstp too formidable to be overthrow without
sucb an effort fear the people are not yet pre-.
| pared to n IKE.
This giant consolidation, with its stock and bonds
below par With a certainty of further depression
VII. u. Yer the eLlar gements shall be complete with
of Thousands Of active and unscrupulous stock
olders agents. attorneys and Its dead head ll't OF
Influential supposed influential men and officials to
every grade aoy to ste public sentiment or hrong
Gcmm atipg conventions with the means OF b1oing
suth portion tf the members OF The Legislature as
ne. d. by free rides to the honorable and his family.
will not all at once become dormant; this power
he peoufiated with lint hpateu Whether IL
con be b, aien is The i'll pOrtant question.
This cons odatiOb is to be beaten and only beaten,
| by electipg members Of the Legislature too indie
peI1ent and CONSCIENTIOUS to accept the ree rldes
rendered them by virtue Of their pOsition-by virtue OF
their power over railroad questions. and every other
question tina directly or remotely affects railroad d-
nerest- II this cannot be done generally, perhaps
We nav as well sell the csLals at once, and submit 10
,uch regulations aud tariff of tolls consolida-
i,n Of Iar ad aud canal property shall deem proper
| for free people" .
But havt hope that this influence of the "consoli.
datiop toe Legislature eau be arrested Among
tie many good things done by the late industrious
leg isaiUre hope it has run this dead.head system
INTO the grouId Direct taxes imposed; the people
ak Hence tie nee. ssity Aud the answer is, Leg
aB T. fovOr ralT, ads induced by tree tickets 70 the
mt beIs who favored II.
RAILROAD corporations, by new Law, may make
ihtir cwB assesfments, or put their own valuation
| upob their taxable property Why this law! The
PEOPLE will be apt 10 accept the above answer Tor tnls
| qcttub, NO.
But if to show the arrogance of this consolidated
dictatorship or the loyalty its serfs, something more
| must be done.
Hororables says the master your free rides to and
from yCpr HOMES, the gsddog propensity 1t excites
su,rg wives end daughter, the free use yourselves
bid your fsnii,s will make of our cars during the
whole year for Which you elected, are expensive
~ us FL ckbold.rs nd FAULT. Bridge franchises aud
relief from toxes will help us by aud by, but on,
st' ok in the market reqoires show OF lncressed
n,nthy i.ceil;s II it won't do to raise fare directly,
csnrot you fix 20 that wh.n man pays money 20 one
,u agents be- sba pa, Eve cents for not having PAN
II TO Other one; So that IT man owes US Two
c.r. Le .bnil nav M fen if he owes us eleven be