New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-04-20
THE REPUBLICANS And THE CANAL IN
YESTTC ATOM


THE REPUBLICANS And THE CANAL IN
VESIIGA7JoN.
The resolution calling for an investigation
of the canals was pending when the Senate
adjourned on Friday and its consideration Will
be resumed at this evenings session OF that
body. 1t is safe to assume that the Repub-
lican Senators will insist-as they have insisted
from the moment that the resolution was first
brought before the Senate-that no other busi-
ness shall be transacted until it is decided
whether the investigation shall or shall not
be made. Let the Democratic Senators stop
6libustering and allow a vote to be taken. III
they reaize-as they evidently do-that the
Democratic party cannot stand a canal invest-
CATION, let them be recorded against the resou-
ton. Otherwise let them support It,
The leadership which is responsible for the
nosition which these Democratic Senators have
taken is not distinguishable from very bad
laundering. The fact that resolution provid-
ing for such an investigation has encountered
q solid Democratic opposition has led the people
from one end of the State to another to conclude
that there is something rotten in the Democratic
Department OF Public Works. The inference
is entirely justifable. Men of common sense
naturally reason that if the Democracy was not
MORALLY afraid of canal investigation Gov
ernor Hill, its managing and official head, would
not instruct the party's representatives III the
Senate to avail themselves OF all the arts ana
tricks known 10 parliamentarians TO kill OIL Sen
atOr Laughlin's resolution. Let us see Just what
this resolution is which has produced so much
CONSERVATION in Democratic circles. Here IL is
as Senator Laughlin offered it on the 9th Of
April:
Whereas During the last few years the Legislature
has been annually appropnatlng about S1,3O0OoO,
which Is expended each year for the superintendent
ordinary repairs and maintenance of the canals OF
the State for improving said canals and Engineering
the locks thereon, and for building and repairing
bridges cuverts retainingwalls aqucducts, feeders
and other structures appertaining thereto and,
Whereas Since the canals were made free by con-
stitutional amendment, the only revenues received
from them are those paid to the State for leases,
grants and permits to occupy use other than for
tho purpose Of navigation lands and property belong
ing or appertaining to the canals, or forming part
Of the canal system; and,
whereas, In the judgment Of this Senate the sald
expenditures ana said occupancy and use OF all lands
and other property belonging or appcrtaning TO SAID
canal system 10y any person or persons, company OF
the purpose Of asceraining II the canals can be more
economically maintained and improved, and II more
revenues can be obtained by the state from the sad
occupancy and use of said lands and properly there
fore, be IL
any subcommittee thereof, to be appointed as INC
committee nay direct and 10 inclnde at least one
of the minority members. be. and 1t Is hereby au
thorzed and directed II hold sessions ut any time
and place IL may deem necessary or proper WlIhpl
this state during the balarce OF the year 1871 loi
the purpose Of investigating tle condition ana man
agement OF the state canals, including the eSpeho
ture of any moneys appropriated by tP Legislature
for their maintenance or improvement, IL Tor nalnhE
any repairs or improvements upon or relating to OF
made necessary by said canals. And said committee
or subcommittee shall also investigate ana ascertain
what leases, grants permits nave been gwen w
any State officer or officers to any person or persons
company or corporation authorizing such person Vi
persons, company corporation TO occupy or USE
apy lands or property belonging OF appertalning u
The canals or forming part OF the canal system o.
the State and the consideration for such leases grants
or permits and whether or not any person or per
sons company or corporation are occupying or usps
anv such lands property without authority, Oh
without paying compensation therefor TO the state.
To mint this resolution with the preamble
which introduces it is to make it clear to those
who have the good of the State at heart tha
4
the investigation ought TO De made, and made by
committee compOsed-as is the Canal COMMITTEE
Of the Senate--of sagacious and experienced
members of both parties, to the end that partl
san advantage shall not be taken. Neverthe
less, responding to emphatic orders from DaylC
Il. Hill. who is an authority upon Democrau'
rascalitv. the Democrats Of the Senate have
not hcsitated to band themselves together Il
prevent the lights from being turned upon cana
matters. If their disgraceful attitude could b'
EXPRESSED in a resolution, it would read Re
solved That loving darkness rather than light
because we know that the deeds of leading
Democrats relating to the canals are evil W.
logically resist the passage of the Laughlii
resolution.
BY this time these machine ridden, boss
ridden Democrats Of the Senate must have
awakened to the painful conviction that tn
course they have been pursuing was pure foil,
and stupidity. Nevertheless, they may decid
TO remain in the hole into which they hav
thrust themselves 1t only remains Tor IN
Republicans to do their utmost to secure IN
passage of the resolution, leaving the issue t
the people.