New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1885-10-08

interest in public affairs that the time has ar
rived when the canal system of New-York has
urgent need of the active services of its proved
friends The transportation problem has
played an important part in the discussions OF
the wear, and tho recent notable Utica Confer
cnce attests that the canal policy is one of the
commanding issues now before the people of
this State.
1t is pertinent, there fore, 10 inquire what is
the attitude of the two candidates for Governor
on the canal question. Both Mr.. Davenport and
Mr. Hill have a public record which answers
the inquiry. and every boatman, every for
wardcr and all other voters who have practical
concern in this subjcct-in which the conf
mcrcia prosperity of the State il involved
will examine that record before election day.
What will they find They will find that Mr..
Davenport while he was Controller prepared
rcpor: on the canal problem which demon
strated that he was thoroughly convcrsant with
its various phases and that he had reached
sound and philosophical conclusions i'll regard
to the policy which the State ought to adopt.
In the report in question Mr.. Davenport, after
slccnct statement of the effect of the remission
of tolls on tho volume of canal business. OK
planned why the tonnage had not Increased, dis
cu.scd the cause of the depression OF the boat
ing interest and suggested n remedy. And
then after pointing out the tendency OF unrc-
mumcrativc transportation rates, Inc concluded
rs follows:
The recommendation, which I viii submit e. y3ur
honorable body FOR improving the navigation u Tn"
canals are fcw-aud tie better for being few; they
,Impy such Improvement, Us NY iudsucnt corpo
ration controlling the would iouS since have
adopted II the prl~l 81 tho canal should bc reduced
foot wherever cpull Do done with safely, rad II "a
improved gate should be substituted Ia place ~ the old
balalcc. beams At tho head OF each lock- cn tho move
ncnt Of boat, woul bc mach quickencl under any sys
ten OF towagc. II on, ties ~ cs- ,hOId lc heightened
a, to admit the passS Of two bo1t' simultln"onaly
then boats could BE run coupe, at largo saving Ia
expenses. and ~ speedily ~ -inrc bolt' THIS impose
inent would De equivalent to an onlarsomea and W'ul
insure the general adoption Of ,tcId power a motor
These simple but Invaluable Improvement would 90
ducr the operating expense to 4 minimum They N'uh
encourage boat AMI prwarlcrs 70 make crrn'F
effort. 10 secure freight .uaio tho bu'incs' Of the
boat builder and max shippers more inclined to u" The
canals the trausioratna al their produce TIC en-
phatic by which the toll "crc rc'Ittel aud THAI
clause which virtually declared Thou shat not IA
prove cNrungcd from tho Constitution cloAiy IN
dcacs the people have awakened from their Icth
arry and desire that this canals H. which all hrv" IA
incrc,; shall DO placed in con iitioA t. e1l-Ani the
respect aud the patronage " the public.
Such, i'm substance. is Mr.. DLvenport's posi-
ton on tho canal question. 1t is frank and
sensible and it furnishes the assurance that in
the event of his election the canals would have
in him sagacioui and Trustworthy champion.
Now what is Mr.. Hills canal record Well.
there isn't much 10 it, but what IL lacks IN
length il makes up for in Significance While
Mr.. Hill va, presiding over the Senate in 1883
an elevator bill came up for consideration.
This measure was directly in the interest Of
bDatmcn and those who have dealings with the
canals. It WAS designed to cure the notorious
abuses which have grown up in connection with
the management of elevators ut the tcrmini of
the canals. The journal of the Senate shows
that Lieutenant Governor Hill employed hiG
casting vote to kill this wholesome and much
needed measure, designed to regulate and cut
down elevator rates. A golden opportunity
was afforded him to show that he was friendly
to the canals, but h. used it in a manner that
allied him with the enemies of the canals
The members of the conference held in Utica
last August and the thousands all over the
State who echo their demand that the canals
shall be efficiently maintained will find no
difficulty in deciding which of these two cand.
dates for Governor is the more worthy Of their
support They will vote for Ira Davenport.