New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-04-02
CHIEF-JUsTICE CHURCH.
HIS POSITION ON CANAL QUESTIONS.

ALBANY, April Liver since Speaker MCGUIRE in
his laundering letter in The TRIBUNE, endeavored
to make it appear that Gov. TIlden's campaign
against canal thieves was directed simply at the
accomplishment of political ends, and apparently
ranged Chief Justice Church the side OF the con-
tractors, there have been numerous exhibitions OF
anxiety that the ChiefJustice shall define his posi-
ton in a controversy which bids fair to divide the
Democratic party, and will doubtless have lasting
influence on National and State politics, to say
nothing of its moral aspects There have been also
demands by the press of other States that he should
not remain silent and. while any imputation upon
his motives has been promptly resented by the
Democratic newspapers of the State many of his
friends have evidently shared in the general desire
to hear a statement of his attitude from his own
lips-a desire which is all the more general from
the fact that much of the political strength
of the ChiefJ ustce is believed to lie with the Canal
Ring. In view of these facts the following accurate
abstract of the statements of the ChiefJustice in
conversation with your correspondent to-day Will
assume general interest. Judge Church was evil
IDENTIFY willing to talk freely and spoke substantially
as follows:
have had no connection in any official
capacity with the canals for the last fifteen
years, when left the Controllers Office.
For twenty years prior to that time questions con-
nected with the canal policy, including the enlarge
ment and management Of the canals had at differ
emit times material influence upon the politics of
the State. and several occasions during that pc
Rod great excitement prevailed on the subject of
canal frauds Public men and sometimes par
ties divided upon the general policy
TO DO pursued One class was opposed to
creating public debts and in favor of using the
rent revenues for improvements. and in favor of
economv in eynen1ture and n ripid administration
of financial affairs, regarding the progress of i'm
provement as subordinate to sound financial pm
ciples. The other class was the fearless champion
of the canal interests, and in favor of rapid
progress. trusting to the general credit of
the State to secure means, and regarding
financial mana cement subordinate to the compile
ton of the works. do not allude to this for the
purpose Of criticisng the position of either side.
To the influence of both We may perhaps be in
debted for system of sound finances aud whole
some restriction embodied in the Constitution and for
the completion of the publiciwOrks acted with the
former and for that reason some times charged.
though unjustly, with being an "ant-cana" man.
always insisted that the true interests of the
canals were better subserved by rigid economy; and,
in the expenditure of money. by acting upon the
maxim Make haste slowly" The proper manage
ment of the canals is necessarily attended with
great difficulties. The inherent difficulty which
never can be removed is in the
State having thousand miles of
canals to construct, repair, and manage. 1t is
business which no State can manage and carry on
with perfect success. But having been built at o
time when there were no means to BIO OBJ
tanned except through the State and being
regarded by the people with just
pride as the highway not only for the
toto For fbnca nf+ ba
ern States, have. in common with largo majority
of the people, always opposed their sale transfer.
should fear greater evils would flow from this
troll by Others than exist now, although they might
in the hands of private corporation be better
managed.
concur most fully and cordially with those who
are seeking to remedy defects and prevent frauds in
their mana gement. While occupying the position
of Controller. assisted with prominent members of
the Legislature, and Others In preparing
series of bills for this purpose. The State
was then about entering upon the expend-
iture of an unusually large sum of money,
and these bills contained provisions which, if they
had been adopted, am confident would have been
most salutary and effective in preventing the abuses
which are charged to have since taken place. The
message of the Governor, far it goes, accOrds
with these provisions, although they were more full
and perfect than the general recommends
tons could we'll be- These bills were unfortunately
defeated. Soon after came tho Presidential
election Of 1860, and then the war; during which and
since the attention of the people has been absorbed
in subjects foreign to the internal questions of the
State and it is not very surprising indeed it would
be strange if the general Generalization and cor
ruption which has pervaded the whole
country had not extended to our own State.
IN La,a hoan
representations andl exaRgeration to some
extent, yet undoubtedly Irregularities and
frauds have been committed. / am sure
that every one will unite in adopting the most
appropriate remedies for whatever evils may be
found to exist. / feel reluctance to obtrude any
suggestions upon the subject as have deemed it
my duty since occupying judicial position to
rigidly refrain from taking any part either in par
tisan matters public questions, and l have
done this not only from o of pro-
priety but because my time is entirely absorbed
with my duties But having said thus much, will
yer 'ure q few words more / have always advO-
Gated the policy of keeping the canals in perfect re-
pair and of giving the full depths of water through
out their entire length 1t is easy of demonstration
that the Erie Canal is capable of transporting
double the tonnage it has ever carried But
this can only be done by waterway and structures
in good repair have insisted upon outstanding
the revenues as to pay the outstanding debt
created for construction for which the faith OF the
State is pledged, and for which the revenues were
pledged by constitutional provisions. When that is
accomplished l am in favor of reducing the
tolls to o point merely sufficient to keep
up the ordinary repairs. 80 that the canals
shall be substantially free; and ! am utterly
opposed to any more taxation for canal purposes. 1t
is said that competition renders the reduction of
tolls necessity leaving the debt unpaid AS this
is controverted point, express no opinion. As to
remedies for alleged existing evils, the best
and only certain remedy is to secure officials