The New York herald., 1870-02-02
NEW YORK LEGISLATURE.
SENATE.

ALBANY, Feb. l, 1870.
SUSPENSION OF WORK ON THE CANALS
The Senate took up the special order, which was
Mr. HardenDurgh's resolution that no work be done
on The canals until the Legislature approprlates and
raises the money for the same.
Mr.. HARDENBURGH argued that the letting OF work
as proposed TO be done In relation to Chenango
Canal was avolati0n Of the constitution. II the
contracts are let tomorrow, Senators debarred
from being heard IN relation to the items.
Mr.. CHAPMAN considered the reso luton extraor-
dnary in itself and In tho source from which 1t
came and the motives which pr omptcd It, The re-
solution directed three boards which were all demo-
cratic not to let new work. The law now author
ized but did not direct these boards to let
work. He (Mr Chapman) had confidence In these
boards, but the Senator from the Fourteenth mad
no confidence IN their integrity, or else he would
not seek to prohibit them from acting. II the act
authorizing the work was unconstitutional, then 1t
was VOID ana conferred on no power he proposes nor
required two-third vote, By simple resolution,
but he proposes also 20 repeal future legislation
whereby work may be authorized.
Mr. r'CHAPMAN argued that the Capitol must be
built which would cost ten million dollars, and
by this resolution applied to that no work could be
let until provision was made by the Legislature
for the ''cOmpeuoa" OF the work. Ehber all
public works must be stopped. according to this
principle tax Sufficient to complete the
whole must be voted tnis year. Was the Senator
from the Fourteenth ready to 90 thisg To test tnst
question ne proposed 10 offer an addition to the
resolution providing that all work upon the new
capitol upon tnx asyluns at OVID and at Euiralo
snail be stopped until appropriation shall be made
by the Legislature for the completion of the work
IThe Senator had said the other day that I'VE
would dever coal at Syracuse" under certain CIR.
cumstances. ..We," twice repeated, admitted OF
but one construction. 1t referred to the Delaware
ana Hadson Canal Company The people OF the
whole StaSe had paid taxes 10 support this
corporation, which now comes here with the de-
slgnation sSwe,n and the assertion that no rival
route to the coal fields OF pennsylvania must be
opened up. the resolution was aimed directly at
the Cheaango Canal. But 1t wonderful with
what facility one who opposed measure would
discover something UNCONSTITUTIONAL aboutit The
objection is based upon section nine OF article
twelve, Dut the rim Ot the genteman's spectacles
prevented him from seeing what came before and
what followed this matter The section applied ex-
eluSVcly TO borrowing money and had no application
70 such legislation as lhst proposed III relatoh 70
C0Urnittee tMr. Hardenbnrgh had employed clerk.
Where was this expenditure authorized ny The con-
svitutong II the letting OF canal work was uacon-
ylitutonal so was the employment OF tue clerks and
year. me gentleman had said that the
work on the ChenangO Canal had been let ne would
| ieci bonnd In goco fath TO complete the work.
| Very well. Thirty miles had already been let.
| There were but eight and onehalf miles remaining
| winch had been surveyed and staked out. Tue
| gentleman objects W rowing COMMISSIONS, but NJ
| would be willing TO let them rove when they had
only eight and half miles 10 rove In. IL trul
the canal did not pay. 1t never would In ths
matter OF toll II continued as 1t is now. But com
pcto 1t TO the coal neics OF Pennsylvania and /
win pay. II VIII cost the State more TO stop thl
| work now than To complete II. The good fart
| and pledges OF the State should be the lines 4
! bind us In this matter. Last year the friends q
| the Chenango Canal accepted an appropriation
100000, when tlfey could have had $500 900, wit
! the distinct understanding that thls controyers
about the extension should cease Mr.. Chapma
areued at length that the cxtensor1 or tho ChenaDx
| Canal, W proposed, would confer immense ben9Ai