The New York herald., 1864-04-06

Tor commencing the Improvement OF the main lines OF
our canals The finances OF the Canal Department are In
tourshpg condition, as will be seen BY reference 20
tho AUDITORS financial report for the fiscal end a.
the S0tb OF September there Sas AZ that time 10 tho
treasury to the credit Of the varons canal sinking funds
"a COS Ia 6s besides having paid on ,he canal debt,
during the cal year the sum OF sTl33oO none OF
winch due, and which was purchased At premiura.
In addition tho above there was surplus or sesl,
$40 II from that hscal year which added 10 the surplus
revenue Of the preceding year OF ee makes an
aggregate amount IN two years suoect 70 the osposa OF
the legislature, OF 81 636,724 80.
II the Legislature should, their wisdom, select the
quickest method TO secure the compet on the innfove
menls by submitting law Tor the approval os ne people
at early day providing for borrowing the necessary
amount u money for period Of eighteen years. II is
reasonable conclude that no additional taxation viii DC
imposed upon the people TO pay tho yearly interest ana
provide sGkug fund TO discharge the principal wnen u
becomes due because the amount necessary 70 pay he
annual interest and provide such sizing fund (esti
mating the Of interest to he at Ave per cent would
require annually bot s752lsl 0nnot an average OF the
amount Of surpns revenues received Tor the ast Two
years and Which revenues viii 10 increased by the dni
mutton Of the canal debt and the reasonably anci
yaed increased business OF the canals.
la@shoGd be enacted and referred 10 The peope 0.
the state as may be cousttutionay done and he
approved by them the improvements could be completed
by the opening Of navigation IN 1865
After pointng TO the fact that the British provinces are
enter ing upon competing with New York in tho
way canal communications with the ocean, and that
the enlargement OF our internal lines OF transpor,a
on become military necessity which can no longer
be overlooked, the report thus proceeds -
The plan Of improvement-prepared by the State Engi'
and herewith submitted-recommended Is tho re-
moya Of wall benches where they now occur on the en-
aged Erie and 0swego canals the enargnR OF one OF the
present double locks where doubed, and the c0nsruc-
tion OF locks single only arc In use OF
capacity suitable 10 pasa boats two hundred and ten feet
in length nd twenty-five feet IN breadth; the bot
tomng hese canals at all points 20 as to obian seven
feet depth of water the construction OF feeders and re
servors which may be required TO fully supply water in
the future the enlargement Of tho aqueducs where deem
ed necessary and all work demanded 10 eneCuay carry
out the plan proposed.
The character OF masonry adopted for the construction
OF the locks Is hydraulic stone masonry, 10 De composed
Of good sound gray blue limestone, with the race
stone half inch beds and end joints OF similar
size and cuay as those which have been used in the
construction of present locks the gates at tho heads
Of the locks 10 be what are termed tumble or drop
gates = the entire work 10 connection WITH the locks 70
be constructed with view 70 strength and durability
II proposed 10 construct Gas recommended IN tho gun
boat report submitted TO the Legislature on the 6tb OF
February, 1864 by the State Engineer and Surveyor
TO the Troy basin nj West Troy three new
combined ooks ut Lockport instead Of five. as now in
use two locks at Iockvle in place Of three present
tcks with new channel canal for about three-qunr
ters OF mile and two combined locks on the Sa',na
side cut (oswego Canal)-pamely, Nos. l and T.
From a careful examination OF the sunboat report
alluded TO- the total estimated cost complete the entire
work is S. $50 900.
The cost TO deeren the canal foot to obtain eight
feet Of water embraced in the report mentioned is not
included.
Below given On abstract Of the various branches Of
work contained in the estimate, with The cost Of each
Construction Of locks Erie Canal. 400 0o0
Construction OF locks Oswego Canal. Gao GOO
lald damages ,.'..'.... odo'ooo
Engineering and cobiiDseDcies. sol ,0G0
Total ............,.....$s,9 SIS $50 600