Cincinnati daily press. [volume] (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1860-1862, 1861-05-06
The LeaIslnture and the Canals

The course of the Legislature on the bill
to lease the Canals, looks as if it was merely
trying to bamboozle the public. A substau-
tial and satisfactory company made propo-
sition to lease the Canals at price believed
to be sufficient, and which would make a
great saving to the State. The House ac-
copied it. The Senate used various kiting
bids to raise the proposition SIS, 500 over the
original figure. Then it concluded that it
must have public letting, making the price
which they had already raised to an un-
reasonable figure, by sham bids from incom-
petent companies, minimum. This sharp
practice the House accepted; then when the
bill went back to the Senate, they concluded
that it was not good policy for the State to
dispose of its public works in time of war.
The Legislature is playing confidence
game. The members know perfectly we'll
and the public know that they dare neither
offer the canals at a public letting to the
highest bidder without discrimination, nor
allow the Board of Public Works to discrimi-
nate. And it is equally well-known that the
Legislature can not make the necessary ap-
propriations to superintend and repair the
canals. If they do not believe that under
individual control the canals would be i'm
proved in efficiency why have they proposed
to lease them at all? And if they are to be
improved or even kept in as good repair,
what difference can war make, except that
in time of war the State should economic
its expenditures as much as possible? Why
should the State pay $3.50, 900 for canal def
ciences this year because it has to bear the
extraordinary burdens of war, when instead
it might receive S25,0O02
The company which first proposed to lease
the canal, has in various ways received the
Legislatures Endorsement of its competency
and responsibility. But it is evident that
the canal question is too much for this Legis-
lature. The company should no longer be
complicated with the question, but should
withdraw their proposition entirely, and
leave the Legislature to settle the matter in
their own way.
The war has obliterated party lines. We
| need some issue at the nAst election, and the
sale of the canals will be just as nice an issue
as anybody, especially any Democrat, can
desire. The course of the Legislature has
been so tricky that it will taint any lease
they make, if they now conclude to make
one. Selfrespeet requires that any honest
parties who have made propositions should
withdraw them, and let the issue go squarely
before the people without any complications
Besides, whatever the canals may have
been worth before, they are not worth $25, 500
rent now, that the country is involved in q
war. The depression and injury to the re-
sources of the country which the war will
cause, will make more than $25, 900 OF $50, coo
difference in the canal revenues. 1t is not
for the interest of the State to let the canals
alta price that will not allow the lessees such
a profit as will induce them to put and keep
the canals in the most efficient condition.
Shining the contractors by means of kiting
bids, will result directly to the damage of the
canals. Let the old score be rubbed out and
the Legislature start anew in their own way.