New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1861-10-03

and firms, membe's Of tie Corn Exchange in tL
! City Of New-iork.
The tenor Of tie memorial induces me 20 give
brief reply TO some Of the suggestions coutainc
| in it.
! The gentlemen Of the Exchange appear to hav,
signed the memorial under the belief that the actus
surcr vision OF pnniug tie Canal and superiuic1d
cuce ~ the repairs was vested IN tits Departui.u
ana under the direction OF the Auditor. This is
mistake. But as the whole subject is now Jeloc
me, aud knowing the opinions OF those who have
that supervision and superiutendeuce, l can state
with perfect freedom and ruth;
That tie maintenance Of an uninterrupted aud
efficient navigation Of the canals 70 as 10 cause no
delays and detensious within the power OF the canal
officers 70 avoid, has received and viii continue 10
receive the sOcitOds and attention OF the Canal
Board, the Canal Commissioners sud tbelr ImmealGle
subordinate, the Engineers and Supeiintendenth on
the various sbGivisiJrs of the lines and most as
suredly, 10 eserOns within the power OF the under
signed VIII he wanting % that object. That casual.
ties viii occur on tour hundred miles Of enlarged
canal, beyond the power man o COGtru or Vreycu
/ IAiuk must be admitted b. all. | am aware tnat
there las, curing the present season Of naviga-
ton, bcen some definitions in navigation, but
when tins IL admitted, | eau also with truth r.
port that these delays and interruptions have hceE
much .ess during tie last aud present seasons than
at any oher periods since my connection with these
important State works. We appreciate fully the
importance OF this subject 10 the commercial and
shipping interests Of oar State and Of the country
ct large in lhs critical juncture OF our National
affairs. The legislative appropriations have been
/ rgc commensurate to the objects to be attained
aud have been literally applied, aud no pecuniury
means will be Withheld that viii render the canals
at this time in the highest degree available ana use.
fu TO the public IN fostering aud promoting internal
commerce.
The Canal Commissioners in sh instances, | be-
eye where there have been detenliOHs at the locke
Cd nd |
direct the employment Of additional lock tenders,
SO thar the locks may be worked TO their highest
capacity.
We have reports at the Department that the Inc
boat captains have already resumed their annual
practice near tue close OF navigation, Of Obstrucng
it by swinging their boats across the canal, lending
away their drivers and then turning in for the night.
Tbi, n an evil 10 which immediate remedy cannot
well be afulied IL il done in the night, away from
the habitatiOns OF man, where the boat captain be-
cyes he cannot he subjected TO an immediate arrest
aud be will run the hazard Of being taken in the
morning after daylight if caught in violating the
canal laws and regulations. We have not had any
breaks in the canal banks during the past season on
the main iucs which have caused any sc iyus lay,
or detent.ons. We have had some failures OF me-
Chanical structures which The watching OF hundred
nen nj each CONT Of failure would not and could not
have prevented; and We have had some slight de-
tentions at the locke which probably might have
been avoided or the extent OF them IN considerable
degree uidgut,d, with proper attention on the part
Of thogC iiicias VINO had the immediate charge Of
the work lie Canal Board have recently author
lied an incr,aied dIaft OF water to boats Of three
inches giving an increased capacity 90 those that
will bear il OF - tuns, or 800 bushels o. wheat.
Until the levels are adjusted, this may cause some
slight delcui,us by the boats touching ground, but
nothing serious is apprchcuded this score If the
boats are not loaded beyond i've feet and niue inches
dft, and tho bank stand agaInst the three inches
Additional yrffrr when IL becomes necessary To- nut
il on a. tlo ie.els
take gru.t pleasure in assuring the Cora FIX
change Of New-Iosk that no fears need be enter
tanoa iu fe,Doct 10 the yigilaut cxertious OF the
Canal Comm riuuers, under Whose immediate super
vision the canals are placed. IN keeping free az
uninterrupted navigation 10 the clOte Of The season.
u l. propose! 10 publish the Names Of III ne-boai
boat RcTo-s tie canal no night, or otherwise attempt
10 otstfuct free pa-aace thereon az auT timc The
owne-l OF tda lines will then have an opportunity
of knowing who are fthlgi O. their f,rre.ts, aud
who outs b. 'romn-ly dismirCd FROM their service,
An cio,n remedy can 'asilv be applied % irscgu-
lariti,s of q g9r' by Authorizing and oIioiriug the
car Il oaIcou iu charge 20 ~ up any boat found OBJ
strurtirp ggatiou, in the mode herein stated, and
detaining Ltr until the owners shall send another
persJu 10 take charge Of her DISTRACTIONS OF this
rort last Fail prevented more than sixty laden boats
on the Eastern Division Of the Ene Canal, from
reaching tidewater before the canals were finally
,lofcd ~ ice. / can well SEQ why the members Of
the Cora Exchange should feel deep sOlicitude on
this subject IN view Of the vast amount o. traffic
which IL vet 10 come forward from the interior TO
tide wa.er without being derleted with the Winter
rates ofmi transit and will only add that oHypuO-
lie oiors Of mine TO relieve that folicitude and pro-
mote the object in view viii not be passyo OF inert.
ai tny rate do not mean they shall be.
Nel respectfully yours, n. }. BENTON, Auditor.
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