New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-07-17
SELECTIONS FROM THE MAIL.
wEILASp AND sAULr STE MARIE CANALS


TO the Editor Of The TT ouhe'
sir. WHY should there be a controversy over two
canols that arc far apart in undsputed territory ana
under different natlonantles1 Is not the sauit s'e
Marie Canal strictly American IN American ""'e.s'
ard built by the Government OF the o''eu ou'es i'
IT'S own commerce to trnversei why theh' shoulu W.
United states Government ooncede 1t. or any part OF
IT, at any time to the use OF foreign conn'cice
=, Il "a ottempted to use this narrow canal for foreign
commerce as well ms for own. VIII not one or ue
other demand precedence Was not settled long ago
that no man can two masersT IL Is so WIN t'
Welland and the sault ste. Marie Canals.
In 1873 the writer placed paper before congress
that comma nded considerable attention In this paper
1, was stated that the Canadian Government coh'em'
Mated IN connection with works then under way, an
expenditure NJ some $50 100000 for building the
welland Canal and for perfectng a waterway d. the
St. Lawrence River to tde-water Urging this as an
incentive the writer asked Congress 10 appropriate
money for building the Harlem River Canal that the
American commerce might have route more econom-
teal In time and money than any other through the fr'
OF New York by this canal. and seawad BY the deep
channel OF Long Island Sound. to Europe This
would be better than the present sandy HOOK route 1t
would be better for American commerce than the
weIand Canal.
Congress promptly appropriated 100000 for the
Harlem River improvement. and the loilo"hg year
500 OO0 about ten years nfterward another sum OF
U-cDfO~N' -
This was done in accordance with the United States
Engineers statement. The Harlem River work Is now
about quarter done, although the United states Gov
eminent had the opportunity OF having the canal com
peted In 1880 for the SUM OF 100000. This how
ever. Is not the way that Congress would have Gov
errment work done
But the Canadian Government with rs 5000. 900
souls more less having expended s3oOooooo FOR its
pet scheme the Wclland Canal. now contemplates
further expenditure OF sI2.NOOo0o to s17.ooo.0oo.
that It's commerce NAV have an easy and economic
waterway TO the seaboard Is 1t surprising that the
Canadian Government. with Its small population and
limited resources, looks with jealous upon u.s. while
tavoring rs commerce. while the United states
Government. with Its 65,OoOoo0 souls. has not
been enterprslng enough b. build this little Harlem
Canal which should have been completed In 1880: nor
would It think Of spending s4OOooo00. or even $780,
900 900 10 perfect complete waterway from
the Great Lakes 10 Long Island S0und,
and thence to Europe. far preferable route
20 the Weand Canal and the St. Lawrence
River But what shall Government do TO stop
the controversy Why not fence in the sault Ste.
Marie Canal 70 our own commerce. where II belongs
Why. them should not Congress- without further delay
pass Joint Resolution No 81. that the opening Of the
Harlem Canal. and the building Of the Harlem Kills
Canal for the OF - $40 900. may be taken in hand
and speedily accomplished. The United States com
nerce would then be able to take cnrc OF Itself and the
Canadian commerce could go BY the welland Canal
whore It belongs. But does the President Of tho
United States talk Of retaliation Is not retaliation
In embryol
Again a government Of 65 900 900 souls that cannot
wisely and economically build this muchneeded Harlem
Canal In less than twenty years tine. while commerce
waits. and that cannot make IT cost less than 5000
900 s5.0OO,OOO. IS not the government 20 compete
successfully for it, own carrying trade. II has
rather gone the Junk shops Of Europe and bought
up second hand steamers which % be received In
the distant future for IT. first class mall service.
Ii has rather Hvltcd foreign commerce 70 transport
products 10 the EuDpcan waters N carry our own
people abroad when thev and to the docks
and wharves o. our scaDoriS our own commerce does
not exist In North Atlantic waters This statement
I'd facts seems Incredible Beyond question The English
commerce pr,dOmiraes In American ~aters-and the
Congress n tho United States would have II 80.
NewYork July 2. 1892. CHARLES STOUGHToN.