New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1869-10-21
TIE STATE CANALS.
CONVENTION OF MERCHANTS INTERESTED IN
REFORM-ORGANIzATGoN OF A CONNER
CIAL UNION"

CONVENTION OF MERCHANTS INTERESTED IN
REFORM-ORG OF CONNER
CIAL UNION"
The Convention of delegates from the various
Boards OF Trade and OF individuals throughout the STATE
interested in reforming the canal management anu III
proving the canal trade held Tuesday at the rooms
OF the Citizens Association, No s13 broadway IN TINS
city, pursuant TO the call made Sept last oy the
iolnt Committees Of the Association the Chanpr oI
merce and the New.YOrk Produce ESchange' Inc Con,
yenton WAS called at 10 o'clock H., ana no persons
wers except those who presented invitations OF
the Joint Committees who bore credentials from taue
cites and towns along the line Of the canals repre-
sented and the meeting was large ana h nnycn
ton and Mr. Joseph f. DAILY Secretary AduressGs WeI
made by exMayor Fish OF Rochester Messrs MES vi
Nathaniel Sands. James L. Wallace, ana huWa w
Hincken OF New.York MeSsrs Niles, Ease, anu ,h W.
The Convention unanimously resolved that an Orghha
ton must be formed among those persons nd
through the State the reform OF the canal system anu
trade which organization should extend along tne "noo
line OF the canals and have for rs HeSS nS Of
rupt and gcctful canal officials committee OF SIX,
with the President and Secretary was appointed 70 pre-
mare and submit plan OF organization This committee
returned after long session, ana reported cOibPoe
of secret organization among persons interested
IN tbe canal trade This plan unanimously adopted
by the Convention The leading features OF the pIan ar
State Central Committee OF nine persons, having It's
headGuarters In one the principal cities OF the state
whence, base OF operations, It's moVenenIs s ne,
the fraudulent contractors and corrupt oicas Oh ,e
canal ring are TO proceed this committee Vesteu VIII
power TO call conventions and delegates from localities AZ
eide on nny plan of operations the Legislature or else
where. A corps of trusty. agents (nnknown TO 70
each other are to be set upon snort ssCt,ons
OF the canals night and day, TO collect evidence
against contractors, officials thieves &c VINO i1se
daily reports with aihdavits SUFFICIENT 10 pase
charges and impeachments upon In every Hi,aee i
town, and city OF the State on the me OF no gan"
executive committees are 10 De eSlosneu mno
local detectives and agents to follow the trhcBs o
ana 70 e Central COMMITTEES to 6o used in
prosecutions OF the delnquens the system mas oner
ness and excellent working plan. The Central Commit
Zee was Immediately elected by the Convention WIN
hearty unanmity this important body contains repre-
sentaves from every section Of the State It's President
and Secretary also chosen The local executive
in special manner exclude enemes OF reform,
and the be- thoroughly organized SO as TO orhg
State OF New York; las the new organization is called y
the LIST Of December, as to move ia the next Legsa
ture The Convention then unanimously auOpteu Tue
4a The peculiar Circumstances under which the Canal system
Of NegYor placed requires hN genera
laon Of the friends Of that system shall be Effected @
der which suffered and improving tho eAasl. ard ,hst
more terms the between
the Western state, aud the Atlantic 'saeoad therefore Be
Interests sections Of the STATE heartily soueqrs IN iee gen
behalf Of the State Canals s,,,s Csu,r. Com
I All 15e measures Tor promoting Tsnsr. object.
plated memorial By pssPtoE 70 ih s,I, L.ra,a , ,.
uHtahed points the enlArgs%s, Of The Canals >.
Transportation sud also the rsdaeon Os rates Of toll - %
enable better transact the commerce et~eea hs Aua
and interior eSss the abolition Of The contract system
for keeping Canals repair which system hi, he.h p"daeu's '
difficulties and ooTrupsn Aud be u iarthef
Rd That be recommended 10 the Legislature th tbs eanh
debt Of this about millions Of collars sha Ds ah1a 10Y
the tolls shan be redue 70 We ore
practicable thus euGbug canal system 10 pr,e9' we eba
intercourse OeIaeel 'Hp
aud the Of the great West
After harmonious, In fact enthusiastic, session OF
hours. the Convention adjourned with determpa
ton on part OF every member 10 return 10 ms spC
locality and commence the work In earnest Inc Citl
zens Association has agreed 10 furnish the necessary
counsel prepare the prosecutions, npeacnmchts anu
charges &C. against officials and Is 10 give engineer
Ing force TO the work OF canal inspection. -
The speeches made by the delegates from TIE cahh ais
trcts most dismal picture Of the state az the
canal trade and show that OF hundreds OF
thousands Of dollars have occurred every week TINS sea-
owing to the neglect aud nlsdons ohe CONTAGIOUS
and officials. ,,,----, =,
The Central Committee OF the new Commercial
Union" met Immediately after the Convention adjourned,
and opened the campaign against corruption aud Official
imbecIlIty by several important steps