The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1859-01-03

Opposition majority ...... IL y
1t several years since either political party possessed
such unobsructed sway the republicans will have at
the commencement of the legislative session Of 1859.
Ever the adoption of the constitution under which
the State is governed, neither democrat, wing,
publican American has at time hal entire con-
troll Of the Department, the Senate and the
House Of Assembly. Consequently in adopting measures,
passing laws, or making appointments, necessity ex-
listed for uniting opposition elements in order to obtain
the confirmation Of any political undertaking. And in all
such instances though party the other may have
reaped advantages certain of legislation, still
neither party lily speaking could be held RESPONSE
ole any such transactions however dsreputabIe they
may have been the eyes of the people. 1t is singular
fact that since the adoption Of the present constitution
and the of Senator's by single Districts the demo-
cratic party in that body has not commanded majority
The last election has given the republican party the
entire control Of the Executive and both legislative de-
parments. The responsibility Of all enactments, Of
every public measure, rest upon them. The party
is pledged to carry certain which they
have promised their allies but the performance Of which
they have several years evaded lodged and prevented
unGer the plea Of their powerless condition and
or the other departments the government That
longer be Of service 10 them and during the
approaching session the republicans will be summoned TO
the bar Of public opinion to redeem all the pledges which
their leaders have made various portions OF society and
some Of them will be found OF very embarrassing, inri-
and conflicting character We will undertake to
enumerate portion Of them.
THE COMPLETION OF THE CANALS OF THE STATE.
No party has INDUCED in extravagant eulogums,
extraordinary boastngs ardent desires for the
completion OF public internal water communications,
than the republican party leaders Their ideas have
always been in favor OF the majestic schemes;
my seems 10 have entered their brains; and the
forty million debt scheme, proposed by Seward twenty
years ago. has been the groundwork and the principle
upon which all their actions have been based SINCE
So reckless and nconsderate have they becn that they
leaped the barriers of the constitution aided by
portion Of needless democrats, in order exhibit their
wonderful pretensions of friendship for the enlargement
Of the canals. Failing in this them the constitution being
ripped open and its bowes exposed TO public view the
especial friends assured the people that millions
were amply sufficient TO finish the work. The VIII g-
| republicans and Americans spent that amount and
much more accessible but the canals remained
unfinished The last account from the Canal Board in.
formed that three four millions was
dspeDsabe " close up the work During the last sesson
several bills Introduced In the Legislature, which
the Contee Canals, and also the Committee Of wsys
and Mean Of the House stated must be enacted into laws
in order 10 raise the necessary funds for the prose
of tue work during the then coming Why,
the most lamentable pictures drawn OF the unnish
ed condition of the canals, and stated and
again that unless those bills were adopted q whole,
according to Mr.. I3rslng Chairman OF WAYS and Mes
canal navigation in great measure, must be suspended
The republicans and Americans both prepared TO
adopt the nauguraed and brought forward by
the democrats fatal rencontre, however occurred
the Canal Board and others outside relation 10 the
parcellDg out political favoritsm; democracy
quarreed and all the bills Osi sJnsoquently no
means were provided for coGtAuhe iBe ennrncment
through the year 1858. At the coming session he re-
spons bi;y will be devolvej upoa The r,1nbicln
party 10 propose measures for the completion OF
the great works If there no other canals
looking for the expenditure Of money on pub.
lie credit other than the Erie canal, then 1t would
be difficult task for any party; but the politicians
Gated upon the OF the Osgego, GeDesec Valley
Cay and Seneca and Champaign constantly urging
The Legislature for appropriations Notwithstanding noher
have yet probably WILL pay into m trragDrv
anything like the interest upon their coosfTucU the
nual cost Of repairs and supefntonlon, IDr pJ.iJr0
truth is, the Eric canal-the man artery through central
New York-ls the only that will rounDurse 10
the people anything account u its cost aDf f
nue. thus derived poured into The treasury 81 the -
on Of tolls upon produce coming from oer scat
and upon merchandise and Manufactured goods dog
tined for the western regions of the couly borotn.
the great internal waers-the most and
nhccnt IN the world. The party IN power would ally
make provision 10 finish the canals II the Canal Board,
which In the hands Of the democratic party, Of tho
repsbcan faith. There will be, however, measures
tracing Board SO that they may control the political
action OF contractors and leave the Canal Board and Canal
| CommHsoners without power and without funds The
patronage heretofore awarded 10 the Canal Board in the
shape OF appointing supcrnendcns, engineers
and all minor Oiic'rs will likely BE- taken from
the present democratic board. The Contracting
Board Will be In the hands Of the republicans by
the removal Of Mr. Benton, the present Auditor, a. IN
early moment, 70 which body the republican leglsia