New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-02-17
IMPROVEMENT OF THE CANALS.

THR LEGISLATURE ASKED BY THE CHAMBER OF COM
MERGE TO WITHHOLD ACTION ON THE CANAL
FUNDING AMENDMENT-A SUSPICION OF RAIL
ROAD INTERFERENCE.
A special meeting of the Chamber Of Com
eree held at their No. 60 Willamst, at &3O
p yesterday TO receive the report Of Committee No.
O. TO whom referred the amendment to the Constr
tuition for funding the Canal debt pending before
the Legislature. VIM. f. Dodge presided Abram s.
Hewitt for Committee, presented the following re-
pert:
Constitution for funding the Canal debt recommended
by the Chamber, and the amendment now pending IN
the Legislature will best be understood by comparison
of the two articles (he articles here quOted) 1t
will be observed that the substantial difference between
the amendments to be found In the last paragraph
quoted which In effect annus the power now vested III
the Legislature TO make improvements to be paid ior by
the proceeds OF direct tax levied Tor the purpose III
this amendment should be adopted Improvements 10
the canals could only be made by Distinct amendment
90 the Constitution, under article . secuon ~
Your Committee were also instructed 10 in
Whose Instance this prohibirory clause was added
the amendment recommended by the Chamber. Your
from well informed source that the amendment
added in the Senate last year by general consent
belief that II essential IN order to the
ratification Of the proposed amendment by the people
And Committee have no reason to doubt that tins
opinion formed good faltn. In reference the
second resolution adopted by the Chamber, your Com
Dtee have advised with counsel and report that in
case the said amendment should he adopted. the state
will possess pecunlary means for enarglng.
In any way materially Improving the capacity OF the
locks the canals except through specific amendment
the Constitution OF the state, adopted IN accordance
with the provision OF the twelfth section of the seventh
article of Constitution, by general amendment
Constitution similar 10 that winch was adopted In
1884
samuel b. Ruggles said that the friends Of the canals
would be very much Rratifed by this report made by
honest impartial men. The point settled that If
the amendment passed the canal locks could he
enlarged, except by another amendment to the COnst
tuition. TO our commerce. and our city and State,
II might be necessary TO have all the locks enlarged so
he hal N
fully with Canada. Mr.. Rugges offered the following,
asking that they should be referred TO Committee No
The Chamber Of Commerce Of the State OF New-York
having 0uly considered the report made by the Com
ittee on Canals respect the proposed amendment
10 the State Constitution for funding the Canal debt
reduced TO SlOOOOOO. and rehnqushng all tolls the
canals beyond the needed to pay the interest and
provide for the principal OF The debt 50 TO he funded
and for the necessary expenses OF the superintendent
repairs OF the canals and the collection OF their
and having also considered the annual report
recently made by the State Controller showing the
danger OF the large diversion from the canals VI the
products Of the interior States by reason OF the
of the enlarged canals OF Canada, rapid
progress, which viii reduce the price OF transportation
from Lake Michigan TO Montreal TO g. 80 for q ton OF
wheat other cereals and showing further that this
rate by early reduction of at least one half in the
present cost OF transportation, from Buffalo to the Hud
River being Sc per ton at least. which half would
10 s. per ton and II further appearing 10 the
Der ton from Buffalo 70 the Hudson RIVER SO that Ge
onetion of half OF that sum amounting only TO 81
cents, would be wholly insufficient TO meet the exigen
eies OF the case; II Is, therefore,
Resotred, Tuat would be wholly iDexpedient and
~
State and tbs country TO amend the State Constitution
by the partial measure proposed in the pending amend
ment but that on the contrary, heretofore, faith
fully 70 preserve moderate portion OF the tolls the
canals fund for their Improvement and increased
efficiency, whenever made rival works or
ale demands Of commerce.
ResoUed That the true and only eecual way 10 meet
and avert the danger now threatened amend the
State Constitution by such provisions do
20 al parts OF the state and especially portions
Of the Northern aud Western avoiding the ne
eessty OF imposing any direct other Needless bnr
dens upon the people aud that this wise and henef |
cent purpose may DC pest accomplished by distinctly
maj adopted in 1854 for borrowing SlO50a for BnsS
ing the several canals and which sanctioned bv M
I~Gpe in their primary capacity by the decisive vote OF
ia IN Yeas SIC Nays thus firmly settling the to
rev OF the state respect TO loans when necessary
R1solred That the citizens OF this state have now
learned actual experience not only the commercial
n the great pecunlary value OF the
Canal aud Champlan Canal, It's early and constant
having actually earned III the 70 years end
ing 1872 clear profit all expenses OF Sc6 6S92S
largely exceeding the total cost winch has amounted
with all enlargeueuts and improvements, only u |
RO,4laTlO They have moreover asceftalned by Ike |
experience and by official tables the immense increase
IN the cereal products Of the interior states amounting
IN ITO 10 more than 2l,OOCOO TONS, ana FURNISHING
yearly surplus for OF least 100000 bushels
% that secured 10 the Erie Canal for transportation
The reservation Of very moderate toll not exceeding
~ cent? per Ton on wheat and other cereals VIII furnish
revenue amply sufficient meet any eXpt which
may DE necessary In Judiclous and enlarge
uept OF the locks on the canals and especially II the
direct supervision OF the work ehA De |
department or responsible officer directly and con.
rtantly amenable 10 the Executive antnor,iy Of Nh,
Hate.
Tie preamble and first resolution were aeorte6 and
,dered 10 be transmitted 20 the Legislature and t1
remaining resolutions were referred 10 Coumitte. No
Nj Hewitt said thai he had teleaphed 10 MI uustcd
Speaker Of Assembly asking that action on Inc
amendment be deferred nDtIi the Chamber CoulG DO