The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-03-27
Views Of Our EX-GOVernOrS on
the CUES ton.
General Dix Heartily In
dorsing Governor Tilden.
Mr.. Morgan Startled at the EnOrmity
of the Frauds.
Lieutenant Governor WoOdfOrd Considers q
Reform Necessary.

hCIUTM NCCCSShry'
The recent action Of Governor Tilden relative to
the State canals and the method OF their manage
ment having attracted 30 much attention, 1t be-
came Interesting to know how such action was
viewed by his predecessors In ONCE. A visit was
accordingly made to eX-GoyernOrs Morgan and
Dix by the writer.
EX-GOVERNOR doRGANs VIEWS.
Ex-Governor E. d. Morgan, who Is as courteous
as he is reserved. when first asked what he
thought or the present feud between the Governor
and the Canal Ring pleaded his retirement from
political affairs as a sufficient excuse for observ-
ing a rather non-cOmmittal attitude toward this
question. He had no hesltancy in saying, how
ever tnat he thought the subject was one which
should be thoroughly investigated, and so far as
the appointment OF the committee OF Investigation
was concerned he did not think 1t mattered very
much whether 1t was appointed by the Governor
or by the Legislature Even If the legislative
committee should bring in whltewashing report
he felt nevertheless sure that the truth could be
slfted to the bottom, for the Governor could APP
point any committee he pleased to investigate
the subject and thus lay the true facts before the
public.
"Were you not startled at this erpOse2r
Governor Morgan replied that he was startled at
the extent OF the alleged frauds, although there
had been good deal OF talk IN recent years about
the msmanagement of the canals. He confessed
at the same time that extensive preoccupation by
business arairs had prevented his studying the
Governors Message with that care every public
spirited citizen should give to so important a
State paper.
'Was the question or canal mlsmanagement
brought to your notice while Governor OF the
This question Governor Morgan answered in the
negative, adding also that during the terms OF his
immediate predecessor ana successor IN the CUB
ernatOrlal chair no such question had come up.
'There had been some frauds in the letting OF The
canals during the administration OF Governor
lore my term OF ONCE"
THE QUESTION OF TOLLS
Speaking OF the canal tolls Ex-Governor Morgan
said that during his term there was an immense
deficiency in the revenues from the canals, SO
thai the surplus mad at one time sunk to ooo0
wh!le Ia order to meet the constitutional require
menls. it should have been from So. 1000 to
81, 000, 900. lie urged upon the people their duty
in regard to this matter, and when he went out OF
ONCE he was able to announce to MS successor,
Governor Seymour. that the revenues had been
was that the tolls mad been allowed TO run down
to almost nothing. The Ex-Governor then alluded
70 the IN 10 e @
that he mad always been one OF It's determined
opponents.
.And what do you think are the proper rem
edies now. Governor ~
81 think the canals should be placed in the
hands of honest and capable men, and that they
should see that the tolls Will be sufficient to yield
u revenue that viii meet the constitutional re-
quirements"
"Do you think the tolls should be raised, Gov
s'They should be so adjusted as 10 raise the be.
aforementioned amount oil revenue which they do
not now. In some cases they should be raised"
''And what Will come OF this expose ?''
81 think the investigation which ought to be-
and no doubt Will De made, Will produce good and
practical results. ] most earnestly hope that it
WILL"
This ended the interview.
GENERAL WoODFoRD ON THE QUESTION.
Ex-Lleutenant Governor Stewart L. woodlord
was found IN his law ONCE In Broadway. Mr..
woodord VINO was Lieutenant Governor In 1867
and 1868, and as such President or oC7c'o OF the
Canal Board. was one OF the most determined
ana ablest enemies OF the Canal rang at that time,
aid the upright impartialifJ with which he pre-
sided over the trial OF Canal Commissioner Dorm
won him the general esteem OF the people. 1t was
probably the natural delicdcy OF an honorable ana
heightened man, VINO does not desire to kick the
dead lion or the defeated enemy, which made him
rather reserved so far as the canal frauds them
selves concerned; but what he, as. eX-Presi-
dent of the Canal Board, said OF the general mis-
management OF the canals VIII command atten.
ton.
Mr.. Woodlord's delivery Of an opinion Is always
marked by perspicuity and force. al don't thlnk,n
he said in his deliberate calm manner. "that this
OF view. 1t has long been evident that the tolls
must be reduced to the lowest rates II we would
secure to New York or TO the West the benefits
for which the canals were designed. To reduce
the tolls and to continue the large expenditures
ior the canals whien we nave haa lor tne last six
years Will require direct taxation.
THE GREAT DIFFICULTY.
NOV the great obstacle to the reduction OF the
'pS n o @ OF e Gha
State-on the canal line-obecg to reduction
winch Is to involve additional direct taxation. It
has always seemed impossible to manage the
canals with such economy and proctIcal business
ability as to keep them In gooo order on tle one
hand and TO allow Of material reduction on the
other.
sour canal system has done more for the city OF
New York than even most OF the merchants OF New
York appreciate. The great advantage OF keep
ing the canals In an efficient condition ana OF iur-
nlshing transportation upon them at low rates IS
that practical competition IS thus Afforded
against railway systems which ought TO ensure
prompt delivery and low railway ireigbts. our
ciJizens OF Pennsylvania and Maryland in the
South are each diverting trade that ought to re-
main centred at New York.
GOVERNOR TILDEN's COURSE APPROVED
81 think the Erie and Champlaln canals, wisely
and economically managed. furnish the only sure
means oil retaining our trade with the West To
secure such % management OF these canals GER
tainly requires both honesty and ability on the
part OF our canal officials and necessitates such
system OF repairs and supervision as VIII enable
honest officials TO 90 their WORK efficiently.
81 have no doubt that great wrongs have eX-
neither political party is alone responsible. and
which VIII require tue united and persistent
action OF good men Of all parties for their radical
cure. Governor Ilden deserves, ana should re-
ceive, the hearty support Of all good cltzenS IRE
spective OF party in his efforts 20 secure q more
economical, honest and efficient management OF
our canals hereafter"
EX-GOVERNOR DIxs VIEWS.
A HERALD reporter who called upon eN-G0v-
ernor DIX, at ms residence IN tins Guy, yesterday
TO ascertain MS views on the all absorbing theme,
found the gentleman at home. The Ex-Governor
looked remarkably well, showing that the respite
lie mas had rom the immense toll OF once he mad
10 undergo at Albany for the last two years mas
been very beneficial to his health.
II nave called upon you, Governor" said the
reporter, ITO learn what your views are on the
canal question ana the stand Governor Tiiden mas
taken AS to the canal contractors.n
81 assure YOU. SIR was the reply, SHAT honest
men can nave but one opinion on the subject, IL
ali That Governor JIden alleges In his Message Is
borne out by the iacts.n
REPoRTER-fou nave read the Message care
lully, no doubt, ana, therefore, need not call
your attention TO the charges the Governor