, 1873-02-24

Tho Oneida Kiyor improvement, tho aeuoca
dagssrss nyss e4s 5aa and 6s 6f 6sgagS aos had an
Under provision Of the Constitution Of 1886,
tho general fund State debt was mado charge
upon tho reyenuea OF tue canals, Which provided
that S350,000 DO annually taken for sinking
fund for its liquidation; also, 100000 per an-
mum for tho expenses of tho State Government,
The general fund debt included the 93,000000
ilrat loaned aud aftorwards givan to the Ere
contribution Of e55o,000 las bosn talon from
tho canal revenues, with only q fow exceptional
yenrs, since 1876. In years Of dotcient harvests,
diminished tonnage and revenue, when there
was not sufficient income from tolls, g tax, to
mike good tlo deficit, was leviod to meot the
constitutional requirements. During the Same
time the taxos levied from the people for canal
purposes hayo not much, if any, exceeded the
aggregate Of the s550,0o0 annual contribution
from the canal reyonueB to tho sinking fund Of
tho general fund daht.
THO result is that this grand system Of public
works has been constructed. maintained, and is
owned by tho State, without cost to tho pooplo.
During tho period from 1886 to 1879, inclusive,
tho valuo Of tho property transported on tho
the New York canals, to md from tide water,
has averaged ahout 81, ,000, ,oo0, 900. Sum thrice
that Of tia present National debit.
to tho Legislature, JAM Q, 1879, states that .'the
total number Of tons moved ono milo Oh Ill tho
canals and railroads in tho State from 1860 to
1860, inclusive, was i9,Ga2, ,693.7 .782; Of this
less than soyon and q half months ia each year,
transported 4S 2-10 per cent, or very nearly ono
half aud all the railroads in operation the whole
time transported 81 $40 per cont In several OF
In sovon and ono-haf 1nonths than all tho rail
roads in tho State did in the whole twelve
months. In 1860 there were 8, 146 miles Of rail-
rouds In operation in this 8tato and in 1870 there
wore 4, ,773 milos, an increase Of l ,027 miloa.
".lho average yearly buBineaa upon tho canals
for tho niue years following 1860 ID 10 por cont
greater than for that yenr, while upon. all the
railroads Of the State tho increase haB been 80
par cont creator than iii 1861"
Tho stato OF New York no longer has aole CON
troll OF tho vast inland commerce OF tho country.
Thore hayo been, Biuce 1866, aotivo competitors.
Tho movement by way Of tho st. Lawronoo was
seaboard at Baltimore, Philadelphia, Now York,
Boston. Portland, and Montreal, worn put III
practical operation for freight transportation.
completed, with shorter limo from ohicRgo, St.
Louis Louisville, and Cincinnati, thau any Of
the roads heretofore mentioned.
The New Dominion Board Of Trade. at ro~
now in session, the enlargement OF the Welland
and st. Lawrence Canals to dimensions that will
pass ], 500 ton veBselB.
The aggregate movement OF cereals by tho st.
1850, inclusive, was ID. 1888 4l0 bushels, ngainst
60, ,885, 700 busolB for tho four yearH ended with
1871, all incroase, comparing tho two periods, Of
o., ,0o2, ,95o b'hhols. equal to 1o5 per cent.
In 1879 wore II o2s 1858 bushels. against $40 8so
bushels In 1856, ~ increase, comparing the two
yearn, Of u, 7Bl, ,u70 bushels, or 209 por cont.
Tho rocoiptH Of Western cereals at Phlladel.
phia, flour included. for tho tllroo yoars ended
with 1868, aggregated a, ,237, ,60l bushels against
81, ,U37, ,l2l bushels for tho tree years ondo1 with
1871 gain Of a. 100 557 bushels, equal to 81 per
cont. Tho receipts at philadolphia IN 1896 were