New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1885-07-30
COyFEeRlNG ABOUT THE CANALS.

The conference which is to be held next
month in regard to the canals cannot fail TO De
of large public interest. The future of our
great artificial waterways is one of the most
serious of the problems that now confront the
craftsmanship of Ncw-Yo Have the canals
outiyed their usefulness, and il not what shall
be done with themi If the conference
succeeds in answering these questions it will be
entitled to a large measure OF the States graf
itude. Some of those who have devoted much
thought TO the subject are in favor OF disposlny
of the canals to the General Government. But
this proposition is unequivocally opposed by
many of the most intelligent and experienced
friends of the canals, notably Horatio Seymour.
On the questions of tolls, of enlargement OF
abandonment, of ship canal, OF terminal
charges there are also many mcu OF many
minds throughout the State. But in this one
thing all the disputants agree-somcthing has
to be done, and done promptly.
Mr.. Seymour, who during his long public
career has been close student OF the canals,
has addressed letter To the New-l DIRK Board
of Trade and Transportation. which will be
submitted to the conference. Ii Is an able
presentation of his maturcd views In relation
to various leading phases OF the canal problem.
lie insists that the balance Of trade from lo1 =
to 1855 would not have been in our favor but
for the reduction or abolition of canal tolls. In
repy To the statement that free canals have not
increased the tonnage by water routes he
writes That is not the great point. 1t 1.-THE
free canal polcyl made the cheap rates from
@Chicago to New-York upon railroads and
1canals which turned the balance of trade in
a. & 90, rcha AZ bDpS
matter TO the public by which route our
products 90 to the markets of the world II
they are carried mt low rates" The Governor
also holds, in opposition to the general conyic-
ton that canals and railroads are not merely
competing routes but, on the contrary, are In
many respects cooperative. On this point be
says While they compete for the grain trade
8" they do not for the carrying of most articles.
Passengers, merchandise and manufactured
articles are carried by railroads; crude
articles go by the water routes. Canals ana
railroads would lose much commerce if either
"systcm should be destroyed Canals are
needed to build up towns. manufactures and
SO forth. These furnish trade and passengers
to the roads The roads make access to the
towns, factories and forth, and thus give
them prosperity. All OF our most prosperous
cities have the benefit of both systems of
transportation"
Mr.. Seymour has word of re bike for the
counties of the line of the canals which object to
being taxed for the good of the canals. lie
calls attention of these counties to the fact that
cities and counties which owe their wealth and
prosperity in good degree to the canals pay
more than half the taxes for State purposes.
thus relieving the other sections Of the State.
Mr. Seymour emphatcally arrays himself
against what he characterzes a. the wild and
iInpractcable scheme" of n ship canal, and
makes the following argument against the
proposition TO obtain money from the General
Government for the benefit of the canals
Il will cost the people this State more than II Will to
raise the needed by il own legislation The popu-
lation OF New-York y one-tenth OF that OF the
Union the taxation iHpays 10 the General Government
Il much greater proportl share II We carry our
rana to Washington TO get appropriations our
representatives will have vote for expenditures for
other objects tho end IL will cost state more TO
get aid from the than 1t will tn raise
the needed funds by its Legislation IwIll also aid
the projects OF other states TO get control
routes when the Erie Canal built applied 10
Congress "a number OF states for aid They would
give lis none Now that 1t Is proved obo OF such great
value state they scheme TO get control Of It,
Mr.. Seymour's letter covers several other
points of related interest, aud from beginning
to end is worthy of the most careful cOnsidera-
ton at the hands of the conference.