The New York herald., 1876-12-15
CHEAP TRANSPORTATION.
MEETING OF CANAL BOAT OWNERS AND OTHER
INTERESTED PARTIES.

MEETING OF CANAL BOAT OWNERS AND OTHER
INTERESTED PARTIES.
meeting OF canal boat owners aud others inter-
eslcd in tho maintenance OF the canals and choap
transportation was held yesterday afternoon at No 10
South street. This meeting was called in pursuance
Of tho action taken at former meeting OF the boat
owners OF the State Of New York. held on Friday last
when were unanimously adopted preamble and rcso-
lu.ions OF the following tcnor:That tho State canals
have been too long msmanngcd and overburdcned
with the support OF useless and extravagant officials;
the canal boat cordially acquicscc In the
declaration OF the people of the State recorded at tho
last election, that the canals should be put under the
charge of head, appointed by the Governor, and
that formal action should be taken looking TO tho
recommendation OF suitable man for the position
and tho appointment OF committee to confer on this
subject with leading merchants OF the city, interested
in the question. A committee was appointed at thar
meeting consisting of three members Mcssrs John s.
Brown, Syvanus Sakicy and William Keller, and tho
meeting yesterday called by thcso gentlemen
" Tho meeting was called TO order at hali-past
O'clock quito full attendance beng present. Mr. j.
c. Murphy, OF No South street, occupied the chair
and elected TO preside, MT James Gallagher being
chosen secretary. The nrst business before the
ing the reading OF tho records Of the last mccting
expressed In the preamble and resolutions referred
above. The resolutions were received aud adopted
UNANIMOUSLY, without amendment. Remarks the
question informally before the mccting-the nominn
tion Of suitable man for the position OF Superintend
cnt OF Public Works-bcing held IN order, Mr.. II. G.
Goodrich, Of No South street, addressed the
Ing Ho spoke OF the general interest felt on tho
subject, aud Of tho necessity OF taking some
action to preserve tho SPECIAL business interests
represented on South street. He complained Of the
cncroachmonts OF tho railroad monopoly aud tho
wrctchetl m misnauagement OF the canal officials A
large reduction of toll rates necessary to prevent
the canal business being diverted to other cham
IL was essential, too that men acquainted with tho
management OF canals should be called the
dispace the present incompetent and expensive ncum
bcnls Mr.. John 5. Brown followed In a similar strain
and the nomination n candidate Tor the Govcrnor's
appointment was hen called Tor.
Before any further action was taken, however, Mr..
Theodore W. Lees representing the Cheap Transpora-
ton Association OF No ITO Pearl street. took the oor
offer the suggestion aicrward embodied In the
OF motion that committee be appointed TO
confer with tho tho various busi-
interests In tho city affected by the proposed
movement, and 10 recommend somc Efficient honest
manager Tor the position. whoac appointment would
be satisfactory TO all parties concerned. This motion,
after some discussion. was unanimously agreed TO.
Tho appointment OF tho committee. TO consist OF five.
was lett To the char. The meeting then formally ad-
tourncd.
lin conversation with the chairman and other promi
tent boat OF south strccta HERALD reporter
learned that the business interests OF thin district arc
at very low cbh. Boats arc heavily mortgagcd TO
tho boat builders, and, failing 10 return low
rate OF interest on the investment. tho owners and
their families IN many reduced to the sorcst
dcsiiiutiuu
For the last two years. owing, IT Is sad to the high
tar on canal fportation and tho controlling nu-
oi The raliroad mon0polos, The capital lDcked up
In boats has been steadily losing investment. Few,
II any boats have been bu't during the past year,
and these engaged IN the business OF boating can
barely obtain livelihood II was thought, however,
that considerable aIncl would he effected In
the condition OF these poorer boat owners by the pro-
pcsco change IN The manner OF conducting the canals
such SAVING might probably be mntc IN tho expense
of their management by the State rs TO justify
dnrion ni tolls. the d'minuiion OF the receipts from
this beng further made np by tho expected IN
crease OF business All unite IN looking forward with
hope 10 the prob,be good effects OF The new admins.
tratlon.