New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-06-02
THE CANAL CONTENTION.

Attention has already been directed 10 Tho
fact that the Union for the Improvement OF tho
Canals of Ncw-York has decided 10 hold
State convention this fall. Governor Flower :
veto of the Canal Improvement bill doubtless
* largely responsible for this decision on the
mart Of the union, and at all events we may
Inc sure that the convention Will vigorously
nyotc>t against that veto. There are few more
important commercial bodies III the state than
this union. which aims TO promote onr vast
business interests by an intelligent and liberal
canal policy. Ii was founded in 1885, and
held il, first meeting at Utica. loratIO Sey-
lnour-who throughout his entire public career
was a faithful champion of canal interests
nrcsidcd and made one Of his wise and cOgent
addresses in which he insisted, rs he had SO
often insisted before that if Ncwl ork was
to increase and multiply and maintain her proud
supremacy, it was incumbent upon her to do
her best by her canals. "To-day we are here
with one voice" he said, "to declare that our
canals must and shall be sustained" Tho
great question before the convention was, as
he stated il, q" Shall we perfect tho canal sys-
tenn. which has done more than all else COM
bincd to build mp New-York and make her the
Empire Statc?" That was IIoratio Seymour, a
broad minded Democratic statesman-who does
not seem to recall his GubernatOrial successor,
Roswell p. Flower, who on the score of econ
omy killed an appropriation of 100000 for
the canals, and that, too, after approving one Of
$500 900 to feed the lcech known rs the New
Capitol.
The union at this initial Utica meeting unani-
mousy resolved that "thc interests Of the
entire State demand that the canals shall be
improved by lcngthening the locks and deep
ening the channels" The next winter the
Legislature, in response To this appeal of the
representatives Of the business element of the
State passed bill which became a law APP
propriating 100000 to begin the work Of
lock -lengthening. The second meeting of tho
union was held at Syracuse in 1856, and like
the first was largely attended. Every Board
of Trade and every other important CONNER
cial body in the State sent delegates to it,
Among the resolutions which it adopted was
the following which Governor Flower would
do well to read and ponder over:
Resolved, That the Erie Canal Is an absolute ne
cessy for the retention and control by the state OF
New York and the city Of New York Of the vast do
nestle commerce OF tho country. and We demand that
this canal shall be enlarged and improved To make
fully available the last drop Of water that the skill
Of engineering supply 10 enable the passage
through II OF boats Of the largest possible capacity
Since 1856 the union has held a number OF
meetings all of which have been useful. They
have served to develop and make practical
public sentiment looking to the steady improve
mcnt of our great artificial water ways and to
expose the fatuous -Sightedness masqucr-
aiding as economy which opposes necessary ap-
preparations for lock -lengthcning such as those
which Governor Flower vetoed
The convention OF this year will be held in
September or early in October. and. although
the Presidential campaign will doubtless be
pretty hot by that time it can scarcely fail 10
command the attention it deserves Governor
Flowers veto was "a blow aimed at the com
mon welfare. The union can be dependcd
upon to impress that fact upon him. II it
does so, and succeeds in causing him to repent
and to reverse his policy another year, it will