New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-04-29
CANAL REFORM.
Low TOLLS APPROVED BY THE ASSEMBLY
THE REDUCTIONS RECOMMENDED BY THE CANAL
BOARD ADoPTED-DEBATE ON Mr.. PAGES REso-

LUTON TO RJADoPT THE TOLL SHEET on 1914.
lBY TELEGRAPH TO TIE TRIBUNAL
AIp.NY, April 2s.-The Assembly tonight by
vote Of 70 10 81 voted in favor OF the reduction OF
the canal tolls recommended by the Canal Board
This result was reached after debate which began
during the morning session and was continued this
evening. but which was foreshadowed from the first
Tho only prominent features of the debate were the
rpeech of Mr. Page against a reduction, which was
The best called out on either side, and the sudden
conversion of Lieut.. Gov. Avord this evening TO
low tolls.
THE DEBATE
The question frst came mp on Mr.. Stewards resolution
offered last night TO adopt the reductions recommended
rome months ago by the Canal Board This added one to
the number Of the forms In which queston stands
before Assembly, tho first being the recommendations
OF the Canal Board33o per cent on gran 80 per cent
lumber so per cent on up freight the second pAhg
the majority report Of the Canal Committee which s less
sweeping in its charges the third being Mr. Pages mi
nority report which proposed 10 make only changes OF
minor importance in the toll sheet of 1874 This number
Mr. Page further increased to-day by Offering re@olu-
ton that the Legislature disagree with the recommended
tons OF the Canal Board and readopt the toll shcet OF
1874 This proposition which, il Is known eobces
the views of his constituents Mr. Page proceeGeu 10 sup
port with considerable force
lie urged that IL the State returns 10 the practice OF
economy and sound system IN the management OF inc
canals and permitted the toll sheet To remain where
nov IS they would yet return to the treasury OF the
state sufficient to lQuidate the legitimate canal debt
and provide for their own perpetuation and gradual
perfection al know" said he, that the past season
haA scarcely n parallel in the history OF canal
navigation. know that boatmen and all others have
had exceedingly hard time II II true, however that
boatmen forwarders and others simply in the same
boat with all business Of the country Enter
prise and industries Of every and nature have been
called upon 10 bear their share of the burdens imposed ny
the general depression of business What has contributed
20 this OF thnG The chief cause is overpoduc-
ton This rule applies equally 70 boamen and their
business The life Of O eanalboa is about twelve years
The tonnage OF boats but from 1850 to 1851 both in
elusive, 5Os,3s5 tons. There was built during
the next twelve years VIZ, from 1867 10 1873, oOth IN
elusive s22035 tons, increase OF over 60 per cent
of freight during the same time wac from
470l30sO tons TO 7O1s3731 tons being less than 90
per cent decline in the carriers compensation fol-
lows this state of faets Just surely night follows day
aud this lie the al cutes OF the boatmen who are So
urgent for reduction OF the canal tolls such Udue-
would fan tO give them the relief they expect unlees
II should produce corresponding increase Of business
aud tonnage 20 bring into this large Of
hoas The records Of the Canal Department sustain this
view. No considerable reduction was made from rates
established in s52 until the year 1853, when the rate
reduced One-third on down freight, and onehalr
on up freight Tho result increase of only 32l13l
TONS and loss Of revenue of SIS726t 1S This increase
may attributed to the natural revival Of bust
hes. during the season 1858 than reduction OF tolls
the previous year being OF great depression In 1859
The tolls again reduced from the rates OF the pre-
year. nearly 80 per cent on up freight and eight
reduction down freight. The increase OF tonnage
during the year 1859 was 1892 toms and loes in
revenue Of 3S6S09 In 1880 the rate OF tolls was adj
yanced 100 per cent on up freight resulting in in
crease Of s6s,530 TONS and gain 10 revenue of II 2s5-
6j2 1861 the tolls down freight We're further ad
Vanoed about % per cent resulting in gain Of revenue
OF Ss90IsS. In 1862 the tolls on down freight were
again advanced nearly % per cent resulting
IN a gain In tonnage of lO9l,150 tons, and
sl,27913s IN revenue There was no mate
rial change again made on tolls on down freight
until 1870; reduction OF about % per cent on
up freight made in 1864 without further change I'M
I'll 1870 The amount collected by the State FOR tolls
1868 until 1869 inclusive was $296i0,475 20, be
ing an average $4,23i953 60 In the year 1870 the
tolls on down freight reduced 30 per cent resulting
in loss OF revenue of $l11G923. The average loss
duriag the Ave years succeeding 1870, inclusive, was
Z 24l ,957, total in five years Of $G,2O9,7S5"
With this experience before Them Mr.. Page urged that
The Legislature could not easily reduce canal tolls Ton
maze depends upon general prosperity OF the coun
tr, condition of the crops, and foreign demand for
our produce Tho fact should not be lost sight of that
probably 80 per cent Of the produce passing eastward
through our canals Is from the Western States and Can
ada which will receive the chief benefit of the reduc-
jon In conclusion Mr. Page urged that reduction Of
,he tolls would show lack of fidelity TO that provision
Of the canals first, 20 their maintenance,
.rcond, 70 the payment of the debt Incurred
III their construction, and, third, 10 the support OF
government Any device measure that tended TO
the purposes Of this constitutional pledge and
,purcment was a total disregard Of solemn obligations
and Of the Constitution. Ii would be reputation. II
you'd reduce the Of the canals, shown by
Governor in his message 10 about ~ 43l $780, barely
sl,cieut maintain the canals, 10 say nothing OF en-
l1rgoment and Improvement leaving nothing 10 De a-
Piled toward liouidatng the debt created by the etate,
ar for the other purposes provided for by the Coustu
lion IL is bad faith aud bad policy 10 reduce the tolls to
point where direct taxation viii have 10 DO resOrted 10
90 Pay the canal debt
NJ Dcsar argued for a reduction to the extent At least
Of 80 per cent The Chambers OF Commerce OF New
ork Buffalo, and other cities demanded this reform
measure and the time Opportnne for carrying 1t out
Mr. Prince said that the question Of vital I'M
lOrsuoe 70 New-YOrk. Speaking for that CITY, lie be-
e,ed that what was for the benefit Of the metropolis
for the benefit OF the whole state The city really the
het Of tie State and It'd commercial prosperity has al
was been n precise proportion 10 the facilities fur
ushed for internal commerce. He believed III railroads.
b, he regarded the canals OF far more importance TO
York than all the railroads that could be huilt. The
canal should cherished regulator Of the railroads
Even afOurtrack freight railroad cannot compare with
water communication. The former may connect with
other cities easily with NewIOrk, but canal must
with NewYOrk City 1t Is therefore necessary
foI bc OF New-York that the canal should be
continued the hi CHEST efficiency. Not alone the Erie
hut all the canals should be fosteIed They all lead 10
The metropolis The sale OF the ateras win enable 20
Improve main canals and enable also 10 reduce
the tolls The tolls should be reduced Immediately,
Yorks trade gone. With the increased economy
he anticipated in canal management he believed the
ducon could I've afforded AT all events might be tr1ed