The New York herald., 1875-03-24

ring, and could not and never desired to reject
the claims. still, Notwithstanding ali these
things. the thefrs OF the Canal Ring were not
very great before the time of the latter part OF
the war. At that period It's members mad become
greatly experienced, and they devised the system
OF low bids.
POWER OF THE RING.
The fact that they could not carry this system
into effect without the connivance OF the canal
officials shows the power OF their ring. The
State Engineers Department has the preparation
OF estimates Tor all work upon the canals and the
supervision OF the work. It's engineers should
know every stone laid and It's proper cost to the
State every foot OF earth delved and irs proper
cost. The State Engineers Department Is greatly
responsible for the frauds committed upon the
State Treasury by Erie canal CONTRACTORS"
Mr.. Weed, continuing his narrative, explained
tne working OF the system of low bids by means
OF winch so much money mas been extracted from
the State Treasury. 1t mas been MADE clear TO
the readers OF the HERALD by Governor Tilden's
Message.
ENOUGH STOLEN TO BUILD A SHIP CANAL.
Upon finishing It the venerable and astute poll
ticlan said:-"Yes. you may say, trutnfully, that
enough money has been stolen by the present
Canal Ring to build fine ship canal from Buffalo
TO Albany. IL was the original purpose to con-
strucr such canal and If such great sums had
not Deeu 6IOeu IL Tue present system VI Canals
had been real benefit TO the taxpayers instead
OF q burden, a ship canal would either now be
built or be in course OF construction"
SENATOR LORD WEIGHED.
''What DO you think Mr.. Weed" said the
reporter, 'of Senator Lords assaults upon Cover
nor TildenG ?"
HE had to say something and he had TO say 1t
boldly, especially as he is member OF the State
Senate, and one OF the bills exhibited as a speci-
men Of the usual statements Of contractors was
that OF his son. He had TO say something. but
think he has said too much"
Low TOLLS.
"Do you think, MIR. Weed, that the canal tolls
ought to be reduced or that improvements should
be faithfully carried out by means Of hich traffic
would be expedited on the canals and the Ior-
warders and boatmen be thus recompensed for
the tolls they now payY'
In response to this question Mr. Weed said -
'"Tne question OF reducing the canal tolls has been
agtated for q long time. Certainly something
must be done for the trafnickers on
the canals. The competition OF the rail-
wavs with the canals Is SO great that
1t AFFECTS the business OF the boatmen and for
warders. h the improvements were made in the
canals they would not only increase the speed Of
travelling upon them. but would also have the
subsequent effect Of reducing the t0lls."
THE REMEDY.
"Now, Mr.. Weed'" said the writer, "whas DO
you think are the means by which this Canal
Ring can be OverthrOwn and the system under
which it mas worked can be done away withP"
~ thoroughly agree with the ideas Of Governor
Tilden. iuuy indOrse his Message, and think he
has done q grand service In initiating the
overflow Of ring as powerful as that
which formerly existed in Tammany Hall.
The Governor should be appauded for
his boldness. He has taken the bull by the
norns, and In the struggle he Is likely to over.
throw the animal He should be aided and en-
couraged In his task, for he is striving to benehs
the State.'
These words ended MIR. Weeds remarks, and,
hence, tine interview. The Nestof Of politicians,
by which name 1t is 50 usual to call Mr.. Weed,
uttered his words as emphaticay as his weak state
would permit, anu was thoroughly convinced
that for Governor Tilden TO break up the Cana,
Ring, composed oi men Of both parties would be
fitting supplement to that Oflclars labors against
the great circle IN the Tammany democratic party,
within which the peoples money went round and
round. and Lever got OUTSIDE.
SAMUEL Is. RUGGLES' REPORT.
AN INTERESTING STATEMENT ON TIE RISE AND
PROGRESS OF OUR CANAL SYSTEM FORTY
YEARS STUDY OF THE SUBJECT.
The Chamber Of Commerce has just published
an exhaustive and very able report OF the Com
mittee on Railway and Canal Legislation, by Mr..
Samuel 3. Ruggles, its chairman, showing the
progress, the cost and the present fiscal and com.
mercial condition Of the state canals and proving
that the highest exigencies OF the city and state
OF New YORK not only, but the whole interior
country north OF the Ohio River demand the
prompt securing OF seven feet Of water in the bed
Of the Erie Canal.
THE REPORT.
The report opens with preliminary history Of
the State canal system, as foilows:-
The chairman OF the committee, on a former oc-
casion, in ormed the Chamber OF his in tention, II
1t should become necessary in order to remove
any lingering prejudices or misapprenensions," 10
review to some extent some OF the questions
a2ltated IN former years In respect to the neces
sity OF enlarglng the Erie Canal, to form part or
History OF the Efforts in New York, from 1885 to
1875, to Secure and Increase the Commerce OF the
West" He did not, however, propose, In such
work, to indulge in any criticism Of the actions or
the personal motives OF any man or men, but
solely to deal with public measures and
their actual results. Still less does he
propose, in the present paper, TO overstep tnat
legitimate field OF historical inquiry but rather 10
connne 1t. as far as practicable, 20 an impartial
and unimpassloned exhibition of the fiscal aspect
OF the canals now on the eve AS it Is hoped, OF o
large increase OF their power and useiulness.
These canals nave already played conspicuous
part IN the eventiul civil HISTORY oil our present
nineteenth century, 30 rich IN the trlumphs OF
man over physical nature. and especially IN re-
ducing the laDOr and cost or transit transpor.
tatlon over the uneven surface OF the glooe he
inhaDus. The current year 1876, completing
three quarters OF this important century, viii
soon run out It's appointed course.
HISTORICALLY EXAMINED,
we find the first fifteen years OF the century
spent IN the fearful wars OF the nrsL Napoleon.
accompanied on TINS Continent with our last
may 1t indeed be our last-war with England.
Tne succeeding sixty years, closing with 1876, cm.
braces the Whole active history oI the canals of
the State OF New York, to wnlch 1t owes so lai gely
IT'S present rank In the civilized world. This re-
the present purpose into arithmetical periods of
even proportion, OF winch the first. embracing the
twenty years from 1915 to 1885, entlrely covers
pletion OF the hrst Erie and Cnamplan canals, by
the genius, energy and perseverance OF De Witt
Clinton, but what some may iegard much