New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-04-05
THE CANAL RING TlGHI'

b.. ,,o,, ,suYp p. NICHOLS, THE HON. i.
CARLTON sPRAGUE. AND oIIlEKs-hui 49, nc
DrNNATION or CANAL CokhOfii0N
MANAGEdEST. - u,,,. -0,o,-,,r,
y,,o,, A STAFF CORRESPONDENT VI Inn
11-rrro April 4-Several days ago 'ne DoaIu VI
I'd Of This city issued a call for meeuns OF the
tiose men of Buffalo TO give public expression OF
.n-oval Of Gov Tildens canal policy, as de-
- - lis rnrent message aud last night in spite
- tho General excitement caused by the progress OF
aoe.rnctive FIRE at the hour appointed for calling
che meeting 10 order the gathering was very re-
,,octabe one In numbers, and more than respectable
IN the character aud influence Of those who were
,ro.ont Tho meeting was called TO order by Frank
w Fiske, Yice-Prcsident of the Board of Trade and
The Hon. GeorgeW. Clinton was unanimously elected
10 the chair.
Jpdge Clinton, after acknowledging the honor
,f being selected TO preside over such an
assemblage, spoke at some length of the his
tory and value Of the canals of this State,
and announced his hearty approval and support
of the Governor in his present crusade against the
thieves. lie said that in 1865 and long before that
date, too. it was well known that such thing as
Canal Ring existed and that the revenue was
being plundered. An unbalanced contract brought
before the Supreme Court was pronounced fraudu-
lent and the decision confirmed by the Court
Of Appeals Its character was made fully known,
vet, he said the fact is before us that those who
ought to have guarded the peoples interests
have gone into similar proceedings. Now our
Governor, may God bless him for it! has read for
our benefit that black record-plain as day. Officers
who were sworn TO protect the interests OF the
people are shown to have violated their oaths. 1t
is the case of officials who have occupied high Office
from State officers down to canal engineers,
who have winked at if they have not
Cd in L 10
that some one outside the contractors must have
prohted by these frauds What the conse-
ouencesi Heavy taxation of the people high tolls
the burdeDing Of commerce, which ought to be as
free as the air to the world"
Judge Clinton was followed by the Hon. Asher ?.
Nichols and the Hon. L. Carlton SpTague, both OF
whom urged the necessity of low tolls and honest
administration of canal affairs. The latter said:
In all my duties to my city, State, and nation, l
should feel derelct did fail to support the Gov
ernor OF this State although am and have been
for many years Of opposite political party with
IN expression of my profound respect for the
course which lie has seen fit to adopt
with reference to the cleaning out of the
fraud and corruption existing in the canal
management. 1t seems TO me that every man should
use all bis influence to sustain the Governor, not
only in the direct object which he has In view, but
almost equally with reference TO the great prnci-
lies involved. 1t is the duty Of everybody IRE
spectvely of partv at all times, to rally to the sup
port of every pubic official who is seen fulfilling
faithfully and honestly the duties of his office"
The last speaker was the Hon. Harmon S. Cut
ting. whose sentiments like those of the speakers
who preceded him and of business men here with
ont regard to party were earnestly in support of the
Governor. The following preamble and resolutions
were unanimously adopted:
whereas 1t is TO the Erie Canal thar the commercial
supremacy OF the State aud City OF NewIorR are eeAy
whereas, That supremacy can only be maintained
sranst competition by Increasing me iac'ns ana oe
Fag9 ana 1 GTTuP aie l hsy Sso atied the
cost to people aud prevented the lifting Of opprcs
rive burdens of taxation from canal commerce. now
Resoired That we hereby tender our thanks to Gov.
Tden the special message IN which he mas earesSy
nie IN II signal blow struck for the cause OF honest
politics. and noble service done to the taxpayers ana
business interees of the State We pledge ourselves
NitOut regard 10 party ties sustain him in every
effort 70 unearth corrupuo to punish eSrr9puoIls's
have the best attgnabe security for the future aud
every practicable indemnity for the past. ,o,,
EesOlred That appreciate the response when DCth
Houses OF the Legislature have ALREADY made 10 the
message Of the Governor IN furnishing ample ma
chucTy for the investigation Of canal frauds and IN III
iating legislation looking to the remedy VI existing
eyis we cali upOn our legislators 10 ma such eIs
laton IN accordance with the recommendations Of Gov
Jlen. so that by possible means an hoLes eco
noInical and responsible administration may be hence
Resoired, That, as legitimate result OF reform the
oa and commercial interests of the state have right
10 ask the alienation OF the burdens now pressing so
heavily on canal traffic Never before was ree IN tnls
regard 30 urgently needed as now. Our rvas al tue
rorIb he We spcut millions TO regain for the ST. Law
vast commerce which l)e"lit CnDl0h IOro
tgt ana energy secured for the state OF new Io auu
they are prrpHrug spend millions more III me en-
larSemeDt OF their canals to the same END lS COMP
uucu OF the Canadians on ono manu- az Va n.hnr
uuuk railroads OF our OWL country on the other
have already created alarming diversion 81 trade from
state ana City Of New YORK, when diversion must
continue aud increase unless canal lOfWdlueFs are
enabled by reduction OF tolls 10 cheaper canal trans
lOrtaiou. We therefore urgently can on to nc
10 enact Without delay the revised tOsIeet "n4cA Tue
Canal BUald has recommended Tor lts adoption. Hoy.
rctreDchmont IN ordinary and extraordinary repairs
with the last to the bOatlnen and sporters
$4,000 10 $GOUO00 OF Tolls ana at inc same le 10
o. taxes 70 the extent than 5o0ao Onr earnest
demand FOR the adoption OF s9ch locy Oi @ i
Illus promised and made prdctlcIV Ic' a., -.
Resolcfd That confidently count upon the coOpeia-
ton OF Gov Tden IN securing tins needed Tehe Tor
he tfuSuoralon SITS. one OF the honorable Seh
tor s,d 70 have remarked that since inaugural
message was presented the Governor had apparently
W. hcS "a aesc ms Txccleucy that while Buffalo asks
uothrg Tor herself wichl not equally indispensable TO
ibo commercial prosperity Of tue state ana cspecdE
t.dV 10 snuport him In his ondesyors elevate the
standard OF honest government ana 10 soap tue
VINO have enriched themselves at tue expense u 'no
Eoired That our thanks due to the honorable the
Canal Board for the wise comprehension II has shown
Of the necessities OF canal commerce.
JeSOipcd That call upon our lepreseuta'Ecs III nc
LEGISLATURE 70 give their hearty support AM cooperation
10 the Executive movement Tor canal REFORM ana
likewise to exert their utmost Influence LOT the enact
ncnt OF tho reduced tOAsheet recommended " INC
Csual Board. -.
LfsOleed That copies Of these resolutions be trans
rtlr fo 3oyernor Ideu 10 the members OF the Canal
Igard To- the presiding officers Of bOtn Houses OF the
l@sat ure, ana 10 each or the representatives VI Le
CVGuty ~ the Legislature.
MEASURES FOR REDRESS AND REFORM.
TIE CoMPOsmIoS OF THE JOINT LEGISLATIVE COM