New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-01-14
----------------
E0IIY IN TWO Pa PTS.

Speaker Cole appointed Mr. Gallup, Of onon-
daga, chairman Of the Canal Committee Of
the Assembly. The consequence is that some
canal men, more noted for their zeal than their
level-headedness, are disgruntled. Why Oh,
because Mr.. Gallup did not favor the appro-
pnaton of 81 600, 600 for the canals last year.
Like the majority Of the Republican legis-
lators, he felt that it would be more judicious
to name a smaller sum, and these critics are
inclined to accuse all persons of hostility, or
at all events of lukewarmness toward the
canals who did not consent TO the appropria-
ton in its original shape. Mr.. Gallup was in
favor of the very liberal appropriation Of
S57 1000 which was granted but that con-
sideration is lost upon the fault-fnders. Such
men are well calculated to defeat the very
purpose they have most at heart 1t would be
well if some sagacious "canaller' could get
them together and read them the fable Of the
goose that laid the golden egg.
Another variety Of canal kickers has reap
peared It embraces the men who are opposed
to doing anything whatsoever for the canals
They are aware that the Constitution provides
that "a the Legislature shall not sell, lease or
otherwise dispose of the Erie Canal, the Os-
wego Canal the Champlain Canal, or the
Cayuga and Seneca canals, but they shall re-
main the property of the State and under its
management forevern But that fac. does not
prevent them from vigorously protesting every
time it is proposed to do anything involving
the expenditure of money which is calculated
to promote the efficiency of these great public
works Here is "The Poughkeepsie Eagle"
for example. II speaks Of canal appropriations
as strikes' sneers at the enlargement scheme
as robbery of the people "to keep going busi-
ness which cannot stand alone,n and calls for
the abandonment Of all efforts to render the
canals more serviceable. This is taking a mar
row and distorted view Of great subject. 1t
is agreed by all students Of our public affairs
whose judgment commands general respect
that the canals have been among the chief con-
tributors to the prosperity of this State, and
that their abandonment would be fatal mis-
take. But il they are not to be abandoned
then certainly common sense dictates that they
should be maintained in such manner that
they may be equal to all the demands made
upon them. Suppose the canals do not at pres
ent pay their own expenses Is it nothing that
they act the part Of curb upon railroad rates
We commend to "The Eagle,n and those for
whom it speaks, these words, which Senator
Evarts used few years ago while discussing
the canal problem:
We have new school Of narrowness, that wants to
choke the canals because they do not earn enough 10
support themselves but they enough TO support
or help support the millions Of people that live in this
State, by keeping down the exactions OF corporate
monopolies Would you not uphold the hand OF
living statesman that could protect you from monopo
lies, and won't you maintain canal that can protect
you more than all living statesmen that you can
imagine can dot
The canals have TO contend with two kinds