The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1859-09-09

The Battle between the Two Organs Of the
Two Regencics.

from the Albany Atlas and Argus,]
We always glad to meet the Journal in the discussion
the two great parties Of the country for the present en-
barrassmens. That paper seldom ventures upon TINS
subject but feeling its pressure upon its political fortunes
it, last evening" approached and undertook to dvse the
responsibility Of present debt and taxation with demo
cratsattribung, however, most Of caamites 10 the
suspension Of the public works in 1912 on this last
point shall turn the Journal for the present. 10
the tender merces Of Lieut. Gov Campbell and the other
radical democrats, now in association with that paper
who jealous supporters of the democratic acoh OF
1872 Their verdict win doubtless be that the canals were
broken down by the wings in lS4l rather than stopped
by the democrats in 1912.
present object to refresh the recollection Of the
Journal and OF our readers concerning the origin OF the
run debt policy and to present documentary Eek
tracts which that paper in Its researches seems to have
overlooked We shall do this at the expense Of some
repetition of facts often presented by
The law authorizing the enlargement Of the Erie canal
passed in 1885 The subject referred by the Lee
gislaurc to the Canal Board consisting at that of
William C. Bouck Stephen Van Rensselaer,, Greene c.
Bronson, A. c. Flagg John A. Dix William Campbell and
Michael Hoffman, and these gentlemen made report TO
the Legislature recommending the enlargement on this
financial basis
l. To out of the canal moneys enough
to pay on the old canal debt which they thought could be
accomplished in 1835-36-37.
2 To enlarge tho canal Of tho surplus revenues Of
The canals, /" without having to loans"
We copy the concluding portion OF the report in ques
In urging the consideration of the Legislature the Inn
o. anh9rzng a. the present session such an en-
Sg e the ras Of the S, the Board
mend such expenditure of upon this work will
interfere With The arrangements
latiEg sufficient to the Erie and Champan canal
debt and for restoring
raj Fund The net proceeds of the Canal fund for
1883 '36 and 49, will probably be sufficient pay the canal
debt and meet the the contracts for doubling
the locks After the period alluded to, the net pro-
ceeds Of the canal tolls will be sufficient the sburse
mens for improving and enlargng the canals with
out having recourse TO new loans for that purpose.
WIN. G. BCUCk, Canal Commissioner.
S. VAN RENSSELAER,, Canal Commissioner.
A. G. FLAGG, Comptroller
GREENE q RRnNsnN a a. Srse ceneraI
WIN. CAMPBELL. Surveyor General
MICHAEL HOFFMAN, Canal Commissioner
The law for the enlargement, passed in 1885, preserved
the principles OF this report and directed the work to be
paid for out of the surplus canal revenues and made
provision for borrowing.
This was the democratic policy. Had ii been adhered
to the canals would be completed and the State
would not owe dollar account of them. simple
statement Of the amount Of the surplus from
1886 TO the present time and of the cost Of the canals
will prove this beyond contradiction. In 1886 the old
canal debt had all been paid except about $2,70o,Oo0
Starting with that year give the following table which
down to 1857 is copied from page 149 of Senate document
7, being the annual report of the Auditor for 1855