New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-09-09
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The people of this State are invited to choose
members of the Legislature partially with n
view to their opinions on n proposed consti-
tutional amendment declaring that transporta-
ton on the canals shall be free. At first sight
this seems to be a proposal to throw away q
revenue. The State has invested a large sum
and incurred considerable debt in constructing
the canals, and must, on any plan of continuing
otatc management OF them, be ut expense for
repairs and superintendent. Why should they
not earn moderate tolls for the State Treasury
ms question is complex and difficult It has
many aspects. Among the considerations bear
ing on 1t Is the Importance of retaining for
New York State as much as may be of the car
rying trade between the Northwest and Europe
Wonderful progress has been made during
tio lIst decade, III the development of agricul-
ture in the Northwest. Few persons realize it.
Look upon any map of Dakota, Minnesota. and
Wisconsin. Here is a region long under
valued and neglected, but now blossoming in
immense wheat farms. Its plains and prairies
level, stoneless, ricl-admit the use of agri-
cultural methods and machinery such as the
Eastern and Middle States do not witness. A
dozen ploughs start side by side and travel an
hour-nay, two-bcfore the end of the furrow
Is reached and they commence a return. The
seed is sown and the crop, in due time is
reapcd by machines which do their work with n
rapldity and accuracy wholly unthought of upon
Old time methods. The yield is proportionately
great and is increasing. A largo portion is
needed in Europe. With every year foreign
lands are buying more of American produce
I'm important part of the wealth of our people
must be derived for generation to come by
raising wheat and bcevcs in the Northwest for
sale in Europe.
Inc chief channels of transportation. for
Northwestern produce destined abroad have in
past years been through New York State and
the Erle Canal has rendered important aid
Years ago, when the Hither- West was doing on
a smaller scale what the Far West is doing now,
1t was step of great foresight and wisdom
which New York took in building the canal
10 throw the canal open, now, may be as wise
and helpful IL measure for retaining the carry
ing trade as building the canal was for winning
1t. 10 New York State, and especially to New
lork.City the retaining of this trade is import
ant; and not merely for the sake of the wages
and profits derived from American produce as
it crosses the State and goes abroad, but also.
and even more, by reason of the return COM
merce. The ships which carry abroad the pro-
duets OF this country come back laden with
European manufactures and products They
naturally return to the ports whence they
sailed, Tor they are needed there to be again
filled for another outward voyage If the
policy of Newly ork is such that the shipments
of gram are detected to PHILADELPHIA Boston
and Portland the immediate consequence will
be that our imports from Europe will in about
the same proportion enter the country through
Portland Boston and Philadelphia New
York cannot neglect her export trade and ey-
pect to retain her importations.
The march of Improvement in the navigation
OF the Mississippi and the st. Lawrence rivers
is developing possibility that those channels
may become competitors with New York for
the transit OF Northwestern products. IL has
long been an ambition of Canada "A dream of
Southern projectors, to cyado by canals the
fails and rapids which obstruct an exit by the
lakes and the st. Lawrence to dredge the de-
posts and root ont the snags which hinder the
passage of the Mississippi and to offer to carry
Western produce abroad by vessels on these
waters cheaper than can be done by the costly
artificial works-the canals and railroads.
which cross New-Yor State. Progress has
been made in both directions CAPTAIN Eads
has opened the mouths of the Mississippi and be-
fore many years the Lakes and the St Lawrence
VIII be made equivalent to q free canal for car
rylng the Northwestern produce and the return
shipments OF European goods. Both are round
about ways, 1t Is true, but cheaper, all things
considered than through New York under a toll
system VIII this State wait for such competi-
toni III she does she may come To regret
that she did not declare her canals free ,vbiIo
there was yet time.
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