The New York herald., 1869-01-21

tends from Troy to Port Byron al the western end Of
the Montezuma Level, lg4 miles from Albany s ana
los miles from Buffalo, The remaining locks 10 Bur
lalo are single, with the exception OF No. u, at
Macedonyille, and fve combined locks al Lockport.
fne greatest number OF lockages In any one season
since 1856 was IN 1867 They were at different points,
as sollows:--
Lock three miles west OF Schenectady double s4s77
Syracuse lock- double ...................... ssav9
Geddes lock- double. al,0ls
First lock east Of Rochester, single. saSsa
Loekport locks double. .................. 5o,9o6
Black ROCK guard lock, single. ............. 25,s03
From the foregoing single locks are taxed eighty
Per cent Of me dope wnereas r v op
IL not, however, this disproportion that mate,
rally Affects at present the business Of
single locks is from accidents, which are
now often occurring. in which navigation 10 en-
trely suspended until the necessary repairs are
made whereas with double locks navigation re-
uninterrupted. however great the accident TO
one q the locks. These Interruptions from acci-
dents n the locks upon the western division are be-
coming more frequent from the age OF these struc-
lures and source OF great alarm TO those rely
ing upon the canal for the oi reiEnt
these locks should be doubled as soon as the sur
plus revenues can be applied for this purpose. The
estimated cost OF this improvement IS S425,000
REPAIR CONTRACT SYSTEM.
By reference to the Auditors report 1t VIII be OBJ
served that The tonnage from the western states
over the erie Canal TO tidewater has doubled since
1867, while that from this State has decreased one
halt The falling of In the tonnage from this State
is produced by very general change in its charac-
ter, navIig become of q more perlshable class OF
merchandise and requiring quick transit by tie rail-
roads.
interested in the future commerce OF our canals
should be directed, aud to so manage aud Improve
the canals not only TO CONTROL but To retain the vast
tonnage which has increased over aer canals at an
average annual rate or about fifteen per cent 1t is
for this great prize tnat American capitalists are
projecting new rail and water lines by the shortest
routes to the seaboard and 1t is this growing ana
powerful competition that should induce the state
to adopt every means to secure the full working ca
paciCy or our canals and above all reliable and
interrupted navigation 10 accomplish the latter
would, III the opinion OF all interested, be OF vital
importance, as foreign grain or produce contracts
would then be promptly filed. This has become
the more important since the operation Of marine
telegraphs.
Onr canals DO not lack capacity when IN good ma
vigable condition, and with the Improvements al
ready recommended and change in the present
system repairs that shall be more TO the interest OF
the State.will fully answer the demands cf Western
commerce without furthern enlargement for at
least thirteen years when the surplus revenues can
be applied without resorting TO taxation.
The present system OF repairs has proved a great
disappointment 10 It's early advocates and as an ex
pertinent wholly failed in protecting the interests OF
The state and IN preserving and main aiming our
public works. Ii has proved to be anything but
economical To the State or beneficial to navigation
ana its repeal is earnestly desired by all directly in
teresled N the navigation OF the canals and strongly
recommended BY all the present and retiring oil-
Gals.
cHGNANeo CANAL EXTENSION.
The total length OF thus improvement from Bing-
hamton 10 Tile Pennsyiyania State iine near Athens
Is forty and half miles. OF Wnca ten mics are COM
pleted, twenty-six mics partially completed and
under contract leaving ten anG Ealf miles yet to be
placed unGer contract The following Is the estl-
mated cost TO complete this work.
Estimated cost 10 complete work under con.
tract. $685., or
Estimated cost TO complete work not under
contract ......................... 571.s95
Total. 1888, ,972
Deduct balance Of uneXpended approplla-
tl0ns:-
ny act chapter 155, laws 1865. ..... $500, ,O00s
BY act chapter $40, laws 1885,. 1900
BY act chapter 716, laws 1858. ..... 2sl, 500
Iotal Appropriated. ........,, 81, loo, 500
Total expended up TO oct. l, 1868 T5,8o0
----s s2s1, 600
Total. s722, ,9T2
Add for engineering and the usuai contingent
ces.. 1o2 o27