The New York herald., 1870-05-10
THE STATE CANALS.

Reception of Senator HRrdenbUrgh mt the Pro.
duce Exchange-A Most Flnttering Ovation by
New York Merchants.
Senator Hardenburgh, OF Ulster county, was yester-
day the recipient OF most warm and hearty recep-
ton at the Produce Exchange by the members Of the
Exchange and other leading merchants Of the city.
Its design was an appreciative testimonial Of his
persistent personal endeavors and the success
crowning them to accomplish the passage by the late
State Legislature Of the bill naugurating the reforms
SO long and urgently pressed by our mercantile
community In the management Of our State canals,
tho most prominent being the doing away with the
contract system, the abolition OF tolls and annul-
ment of the constitutional restrictions enforcing the
canals to yield revenue to the State to the great
detrment Of the public trade generally. At one p.
M, the hour announced for the reception the main
floor Of the Produce Exchange was crowded to
its utmost capacity. The familiar faces Of
our most prominent merchants were con-
spicuOus in the thr0ng. Senator Hardenburgh was
inducted by Mr.. Harrison, President or the Produce
Exchange, to the raised platform encased In rail-
ing set apart for the h use Of the Officers OF the Ex
dozen or others, while the outer crowd pressed
eagerly close to its borders.
ing to you Senator Hardenburgh," said Mr.. Harri.
son, and thereupon the Senator bowed and kept
bowlng, and the large assemblage cheered and kept
cheering. This lasted several minutes and at length,
when quiet was restored, Mr.. Harrison read speech
covering several pages OF manuscript and at the
same time covering the whole subject OF our canal
reforms. After recapituating what they had been
lighting for in this matter and recOunng the leading
points Of the victory they had achieved, he con.
cluded with atributing the main credit OF the sue
cesses to the Senator whom they had assembled
to honor.
Senator Hardenburgh made quite lengthy re-
sponse. He likewise went over the whole subject,
recOunting the difficulties they had encountered,
and how, step by step, they had combated and over
come them. AS to his personal efforts In the matter
he laid claim to doing no more than his duty. He
had labored to do the public service, and he
was glad the result promised to be so beneficial,
and that it would be beneficial he knew As
he progressed he showed the effects upon the mer-
camille interests Of this city Of the past mismanage
ment of our canals, and portrayed the effects that
would follow the change that had now been In.
augurated. He did not expect the present ovation
and only found the common words OF thanks too
tame and inexpensive in which to convey his
thanks Another outburst Of cheers as tumuItuous
as atthe first followed the close of his speech.
A series OF resolutions were next offered by Mr..
MOulton expressive OF the high sense and apprecla
ton Of those present OF the Senator's services upon
| this canal question; and speeches ensued by Mr.
Moulton, Mr. Mitchell, of Syracuse: Peter Cooper and
Nathaniel Sands. During the meeting telegram
was also received and read from the Chicago Board
Of Trade begging leave to unite with them IN extend
ing distinguished consideration to Senator Harden
burgh. After the close of the public demonstration
the Senator taken by few and treated to pri
vate dinner at DemOnicO'S.