The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-10-21

Convention of Merchants Interested in Re-
Characterization Of ssCommercial
Union.',
The convention OF delegates from the various
Boards Of Trade and OF individuals throughout the
State interested In reforming the canal management
and improving the canal trade was held yesterday
at the rooms of the Citizens Association, s1s Broad
way, in this city, pursuant to the cali made Septem-
Der II last by the Joint committees OF the association
the Chamber Of Commerce and the New York Pro-
duce Exchange. The Convention was called at ten
O'Clock A. NJ, and no persons were admitted except
those who presented invitations Of the Joint COM
mlttees or who bore credentials from trade organi
cations.
All the prominent and some OF the lesser cities and
towns along the line OF the canals wer represented
and the meeting was large and earnest Mr. Jere-
mah P. Robinson was elected President OF the Con-
vention and MIR. Joseph +. DAILY Secretary Ad-
dresses were made by x-Mayor Fish, OF Rochester,
Messrs Miles, OF Buffalo; Duganne, OF New York;
Lacy, of Albany; Me5srs Nathaniel Sands. James =.
wallace ana Edward Hincken; Messrs. Niles, Case
and W. H. Barclay, OF Bunalo; Mr.. Peter Cooper and
Others The Convention unanimously resolved that
an organization must be formed among those per-
Interested through the state in the reform OF
the canal system and trade, which organization
should extend along the whole line OF the
canals and have for It's object the protection OF the
canals and their trade and the prosecution OF corrupt
and neglect1u canal officers. committee OF SIX.
with the president and secretary, appointed to
prepare and submit plan OF organization. This
committee returned after long session
complete system Of secret organization among per-
sons interested IN the canal trade. This plan was
unanimously adopted by the Convention.
The leading features OF the plan AREA State Gen.
tral Committee OF nine persons having its head
quarters IN one Of the principal cities OF the state,
whence as base OF operations its movements
against the fraudulent contractors and corrupt OFF,
cias OF the canal ring are TO proceed. This commit
tee Is vested with power to call conventions and
as may be proper, in order to decide on any
plan Of operations In the Legislature or elsewhere.
corps OF trusty agents. unknown to each
other are to be set upon short sections OF
the canals night and day to collect evidence against
contractors, officials, thieves, &C. who make daily
reports with sworn anidavlts, sufncent TO base
charges and impeacnments upon. In every village.
town and city OF the State the line Of the canals
local executive committees tare TO be established
who employ local detectives and agents to follow
the tracks or officials and contractors, to gather
proofs, &C., and to forward sworn aidavts TO the
central committee to be used In prosecutions OF the
delinQuents.
Resolutions were adopted concurring in the me-
mortal presented to the Legislature last year in
behalf OF the State Canal Convention, recommend
ing that the State Central Committee elected by this
the memorial before the next Legislature, and
urging the speedy completion OF improvements
in the canals, &C.; also the reduction Of the
rate Of tolls and the abolition of the
contract repair system IN canals, and that
1t be recommended TO The Legislature that the canal
debt OF this state, now about So 100000 shall be
funded for q term OF eighteen years. and that the
tolls shall be reduced to the lowest practicable sum.
thus enabling canal system to present the cheap
between the Atlantic seaboard and the States OF the
Waat.