New-York tribune., 1870-01-06
OUR STATE CANALS.
INTERNAL TRADE AND NAYIGATfON-ruE CANAL
AUDITORS REP0BT-SrATE CONVENTION At
ROCHESlRR.

INTERNAL TRADE AND NAYiGATlON-IiE CANAL
AUDITORS REP1RT--SrATE CONVENTION AT
ROCHESTER,, ETC.
Albany, Jan 5-RCUOrts from the Canal
Department acquire special interest now from the van
Gus propositions for correcting abuses, remedying da
fect regulating tolls providing for canal repairs one %
the most knOtty problems, aud funding the debt Tor i'm
proving the waterway. the ockage, and the motiys
power and for otherwise beneGDg trade and commerce
in connection with the policy and management Of tbs
canal system on all which subjects the approaching
State Convention at Rochester. fortnight hence. will
probably deliberate These various matters will GER
tainly excite large share OF legislative attention. the
prospect Of action which, or on some OF which, las
already congregated industrious Canal Ring" az
the Jealous and efficient portion Of the Third
House"
The Auditor Of the Canal Department the Hon. James
A. Bell, his annual report the Legislature, this day
issued from press. has furnished many statements
and opinions that should be carefully considered by
people who time and desire for thorough eXamina
ton Copies Of this report should be placed In the hands
OF business connected with the canal trade aud
with all public officers through the Satencludng the
Supervisors generally one OF the intelligent and
valuable OF officers in this statewhateyer
may be thought OF tho nfabliiy Of that sort Of func-
tonares in our commercial metropolis CIhe snpcryi-
sors OF the State generally mentioned especially In
this connection from the fact that, in many Counties
they Individually and their county boards rendered
and Orange Canal enlargement IN former years.
While the extent Of Auditor Bells Report exceeds the
limits Of newspaper cOnyenience-em0racng manifold
details requisite chiefly for guiding nqnrng legislators
and others whose duties ntets largely connected
with our state Canal system-the main points may be
coated comparatively brief shape for enabling gen
cral readers acquire fair views Of the condition and
prospects, the necessities and advantages, Of system
internal trade and navigation interviewer with ths
highest interests OF this and OF vast Interior regions
"A system with which, it is morying to add, the great
OF the millions most benefited by 1t are very slightly
acquainted.
Railways telegraphs, steamers, and other recent con
triyances have so far outshoue unobtrusye slow
going sure and valuable. canal commerce, that null
ttudes around readily tell You much about snch
improvements all over the world, while unable TO glYe
any clear notion Of the extent. cost operations and
effects OF even the Great Work which not long ago vas
peerless among the physical improvements OF mankind
though that single work. the Erie Canal, forms htte
more than Onethird OF the thousand miles OF ARTIFICIAL
nayigable communication included within the limits OF
state. The suez achievement Is already far better
states than il now that Grand Canal" as it was
formerly styled which first connected the inland seas or
North America with the ocean cone,ee oi thG @Otu 90
enterprise which even Thomas Jefferson wrote 70
DE Witt Clinton that the state Oi New 1oIh ha1 uhlct
taken century too early" ~
Iii cheering the spirit with which the An,
dtor discusses the means whereby THIS great commercial
channel may be relieved from s most serious embar-
recommendation ITS accidental delays ana rom ne 40"
transit-by making It's improvement keep pace with the
progress Of the world in other branches oi Industry
and enterpriseby undermining its motive power 50 ~
10 shorten time Of Jdss0gefar more important than
lowering the tOsby substituting steam Tor the uulucy
guadrupeds that drag at snalpace the vast feet en-.
gagged IN canal nayigauon-yessels which, IN their
enlarged SIZE though still called merely boats" are
capable Of carrying average tunnage equal 10
that OF the shipping employed IN ocean commerce gcncr
ally when the Erie Canal commenced, about hall
century ago.
THE CURRENT CASH ACCOUNr
The Auditor submits following tabular view Of the
comparative aggregate receipts in each Of the last -four
fiscal years. the payments for ordinary expenses OF
the canals during period for the purpose OF
planning the OF dmiuutlOn ia receipts Tor the last
year Of the period. ending Sept 3O s69 tie fiscal year
nj that date: