The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1860-03-12

ed and the result Of that process ia exhibited in the fol-
loving table No. q prepared BY the Auditor Of the Canal
frhis table 10 nece sarily emitted
The Comptroller believes that the revenues Of the canals
to pay the debt Of the cans good faith to the
public creditors forbade their diversion That although
alteration in the rates Of ol may not have pro
hibed yet that such alteration could only be made with
view 10 revenue mainly.
when the policy Of the constitution set in motion
1647 the language Of the Legislature that "he cons
tuition has made the interest OF all tho people o. the
Slate cherish this poNsy The canals placed under
constitutional bonds to pay all our debt and relieve the
people from taxstion and the those objects
tanned the sooner their ample revenues VIII be unlocked
for the use Of the whole people,"
should be considered the true policy OK the State 1t
portatOn nom tho great West to the Atlantic Ocean must
pay revenue sufficient 70 provide for the principal and
interest of the canal debt
The obligations Of the constitution and good faith to the
people require this, and nothing less than this will be
satisfactory.
Combinations may for time prevent It. but II wise
coupsels prevail with all concerned this policy should be
scqaesced IN now when may be adopted and carried
The policy Of whtch the Comptroller oompaiUs was in
OF ss S ns IRON ne
ported upon them.
This act made necessary the mex. movement, which
Was 10 diminish from time to time the tolls the canals
policy required, but with view 10 successful competition
with the railroads. In which competition both canals aad
railroads have suffered, as the Auditor shows.
Since 1861, under the policy, the revenues from
on current revenues, have down from 3,122i63 in
1854 to 81 S5ss79 In 1850 That is TO say, they have
fallen OIL more than one half while the tonnage Of the
canals remains about the same, viz 36s2733 toms in
1861. and 8, ISL 6S4 tons in 1859.
This falling or in the Of the canals leading 10
taxation has been used a. an argument against the utility
Of the canals Nothing could be unjust Il proves
nothing aganst their utility but everything against the
roneous polly which has been pursued in regard TO
them. During the whole period Of UNI esrc.ed compost
ton with the railroads In this Slate and in other States,
and while the Erie canal has been encountered with the
q
tonnage than all the railroads in the State put together
The Auditor shows that the tonnage Of the canals in 1858
And in 1859 was 3,7si ,os4
Total in two Year,. ,44s,s7o
The tonnage Of all the railroads in the State in
AnS m isis sas as
Total in the two years. ~ 1893 oos
mage counted twice, iDasmuch each of the railroads
makes It's returns, and much Of the tonnage in passing
from one road 70 the other is twice reported.
Another fac! 10 prove the efficiency Of the canals tae
| Auditor shows as follows, viz:
The total tonnage carried by the Baltimore and Obi,
York and Eric Railroad, the New York Central Railroad
tbe 0gcensburg Railroad and the St Lawrence Canal
1855 exceed The total tonnage carried BY the New York
canals only by the moderate amount Of 10 600 tons In
the eh Of these 6gnree the statements Of enthusiastic
IN es o h keep up WIN nv what call
magnify the railroads, should be received with many
grains Of allo~ ence
reason groaned the exravagant expenditures the
canals They now nearly completed aad the great
attained But to accomplish that object great vigilance
must be exercised in their management and In husband
Which formerly camcred for the largest @
viii now cry out for the lowest tolls and the highest taxa
ton.
Will tollng the railroads and increasing the canal tos
burden the internal commerce Of the State2
The Auditor shows that the whole tonnage of our
foreign trade both exports and imports abou equal 70
the total tonnage Of the New York ana Erie and New
York Central Railroads, added to the tonnage of
canals.
The total value Of the canal tonnage was in 1885, in
round NUMBERS over $l32, COO 600
The total value Of the railroad tonnage, the
same year, is estimated at (Which is deemed
o"J'"..'.'.'' ioVVV'ooo
Total. s2a2, ooo, GOO
tribute Of one and halt per cent on this value viii
yield 10 the canal revenues 81, aso COO.
The total value Of all the foreign tonnage imports and
exports for 1859, se95 SOL 5s2 This paid tribute
through the Custom House Of $40 sos 3 average
potts hey alone paid an average Of is per- cent sa yot
commerce moves brsky under the buroen. Surely the
Of Re and cent on our
ought not to meet with opposition from any quarter.
no lqss zisw q Sar e1aAh and difS iaQ se
sary and equally TO be guarded by legislation. But
seairs The NAL Administration Of both canals and Fail
rcads, and continued taxation will quicken fhom 10 q
vigorous enforcement Of that law.
Restore the railroad tolls to the Canal Fund.- and sdIus,
the tolls on The canals to correspond, and we vii! receive
from tolls 81, 10000
Wants for superintendence, collection and re-
pairs: 100000
wants Tor SINKING Iuno under ISL secaon l70O0O0
Do. DO. DO % section. 100000
VANS for intercft on $l2,0o0,o00 debt under
the ga section 10000
waits 10Y tnferest and SINKING iuho On tne eL,-
6co COO debit. 3ss,o0o
49,
7his result, which Il is confidently believed may be at
tanned will enable Us TO get along with tax for the Cen
eSni funa 49, go; 49,. M
WIZ ,s1 for the a. zoo ooo doh. NJ u q
the tax for The interest on The SO GOO COO debt
would be made contingent on the revenues,