New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-02-23
CANAL LEGISLATION.


The convention of canal men which met nj
Albany last week adopted. as result Of It's
deliberations, series of resolutions. Nearly
all these resolutions are intended for the guild
ance Of the Legislature, and while some Of
them are wise, others are Of questionable utility.
The convention perhaps attempted too much.
10 asks for $1,000, 900 for canal improve
ments; It asks for the establishment Of grain
elevators at terminal canal points TO be owned
and run by the State IL asks that the wharves
OF New York and Brooklyn shall be made free
it asks that railroads shall be prevented from
discriminating against the canals; II asks that
the practice Of dealing in futures in the
necessaries OF life' may be declared illegal (;
1t pronounces against the abandonment Of the
lateral canals; 1t asks that the Attoney-Gen.
eral be requested forthwith TO institute pro
ceedings 70 dissolve the charter of the New
York Produce Exchange-by way Of furnishing
that institution for It's attitude in reference TO
the McEyoy Grain Elevator law Of last year ;
It asks that the unexpended appropriation now
in the hands Of the Superintendent Of Public
Works BIO used in removing the accumulated
deposits from the bottom Of the canal, thus
'No'OiIhB ~ W us proper ueVln.
What is going to be the outcome Of these
resolutions? An appropriation will doubtless
be made to continue the work Of canal inn
proyement. The State some years ago resolved
to place the canals in a condition Of the highest
efficiency, and can be counted upon not TO re-
cede from that liberal policy. II Is doubtful,
however II as large n sum "a that which the
committee favOrs will be agreed to by the
Legislature. The 81 900, 900 petitioned for is
likely to be cut down a quarter, unless it can
be demonstrated that the canals actually need
to have 81 900, 600 expended upon them this
year. The conventions resolution looking TO
the establishment Of State elevators encounters
good deal Of opposition. A bill embodying
The proposition is pending in the Senate, and
Is objected to as being n product OF " the
paternal SYSTEM Of government and uncon-
stitutonal. II is not likely that a statute will
be passed Just ut present making the wharves
oil New-York or Brooklyn free, but if the boat
men persevere in their war against wharf
age, they are likely to put an end to the ex-
tortions that are now practised upon them. Tho
convention did well in calling for the passage
OF law 10 prevent the railroads from discrim
mating against canal shippers This is one of
the measures which the Railroad Commission
has repeatedly but unsuccessfully urged upon
the attention of the Legislature. II is simply
an act Of long-delayed justice to the great
canal interest. To ignore it is to continue
grave abuse. Another sensible resolution is
the one calling for the removal Of the deposits
from the bottom Of the canal. These deposits.
the boatmen reported were source of great
annoyance to them last season.
II is hardly possible that anything will come
Of the other resolutions. Were there any mem
bers OF the convention who supposed that the
people were prepared TO reverse their action in
regard to the lateral canals or that the New
York Produce Exchange was 10 lose its charter
We suspect not. The canals Of New York are
being pretty well looked after these DAYS,
Enlisted in their service are q large number OF