New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1859-11-09
THE CENTRAL RAILROAD.

The relations of the New-York Central Railroad
TO the most important of public interests are such
az must always deprive it of certain degree OF I'M
mupity against public interference with its con-
cerns which would readily be granted, and, IN
point of fact, is granted, to corporations OF limited
power and influence. The aggregation OF Compa-
MES now known by that title, from its multiplied
force and the line of its operations, is formidable
rival to the system of public works in which every
citizen of the State is practically stakeholder.
Nor is it to be denied that the policy of the State
has tended to insure the completion OF the struc-
lures of its rival, and to retard that OF It's own.
Hence, the unfinished Canal completes with the per-
fected Railroad and the result is seen IN revenues
so diminished that the great system OF Internal I'M
provements belonging to the State has come to be
in danger of humiliation, both as source OF IN
come and as public convenience.
The error committed by the Legislature when it
dealt with this matter is now so obvious, that II Is
not likely any considerable number of our people
entertain doubt that the Canals would have been
completed years ago. if freedom from tolls had been
made benefaction to be bestowed upon Railroads
upon the completion of the Enlargement. Errors
of this class are always difficult of correction; and,
in this case the difficulty is aggravated by the enor-
nous means possessed by this cluster of corpora
tons TO sway the corrupt and oyerawe the tmid,
who generally hold "the balance of power" in the
jurisdiction which has control of this matter.
Experience teaches, thus far, that the same
power which ayerts the reimposition of tolls upon
Railroads, prevents also such Legislation as would
secure the speedy enlargement of the Canals"
We are not altogether without means to estimate
the control this corporation exercises over the leg
isaton of the State whether it acts airmatiyey or
negatively. 1t demanded an act to authorize
bridge over the Hudson-it forbade one to reim-
pose toIs-two measures which cOnyulsed the State
by the zeal displayed 10 prevent the bridge, and TO
impose the tolls 1t turned out however, that what
this corporation asked for was granted-what 1t
protested against was withheld. Its power over
the Legislature is no myth. That it should object
10 the reimposton of tolls is but natural, and needs
no Justification; but, having itself profted 80 much
by liberal legislation, and for which it may have
paid quite as literally, it is mean and ungrateiui
that il uses its power to embarrass the further
prosecution of the Public Works of the State
It's hostility to the Canal does not end with THIS
negative action. That unfinished structure Is SUD
iected BY it to competition which is drying up the
revenues to the State while it is running the ior
warders who do business upon it. Under cover
of alleged rivalry with the Baltimore and Ohio the
Pennsylvania Central, or the Grand Trunk Rail
ways. or roads even more remote, it wages war
fare in which the Erie Canal is expected, and may
seem TO be the first victim, but which the Central
Railroad will feel long after the Erie Canal shall
have been rescued by its friends, and placed for
ever beyond the reach Of an ungratefu corporation
Is there anything in the past to suggest doubt
what the action Of the people will be when the ques