New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-09-04
NJAGARA'S WATER SUPPLY.
susIL IT BE FURTHER DIVERTED FOR
MANUFACTURING PURPOSES?

AZ INpECIsIvE DEBATE ON THE QUESTION IN
THE CONSTITUTIONAL COMMEMORATIVE
BRIBERY AMENDMENT ADVANCED
TO A THIRD READING.
sRoM TIE REGULAR CORRESPONDENT or TIN rRIBUNR
Albany Sept 9.-More than two hours OF the
morning session we're taken up by the Constitu-
tonal Convention in discussing Niagara Falls
mower from the point which the debate had reached
wh.r II dropped on Saturday. The original
ams.dment, reported by the subcommittee of the
committee or Legislative Powers. gave the con-
troll of power privileges to the Niagara Reserva-
ton Commissioners; but the substitute gives it
10 the Commissioners of the Land Office 1t pro-
ydes that
or spa to tf Tcm
natural channel the waters Of the Niagara River
any corporation. association, person or persons ex
cept for sanitary; domestic or fire purposes, and
purpose except the corporations associations. per-
son or persons who have heretofore been licensed
river. who may be now engaged in the actual
diversion use thereof for manufacturing or
lions. person or persons who have heretofore been
licensed e granted the right to divert the waters f
actual diversion or use thereof, for manufacturing
grant and all corporations. associations, person
or persons who may hereafter be granted the
afe purposes. shall be under the direction and
Control of the Commissioners OF the Land Office
the Commissioners of the State Reservation at
Niagara and to the corporations associations. per-
son having licenses to divert. or now
actually engaged in, the diversion or use of said
water make sneh and ss sSca a
as shall be just and equitable; but this section
s mpar the charter OF any such corporation as
ISOLATION persons. or TO AFFIRM enlarge or i'm
pair any n Se or ss to nd divert ThS 6
waters Of said river.
The substitute offered by Mr. Root provides as
follows:
TO divert from their natural channel any Of the
waters Of the Niagara River above Niagara Falls
such waters shall be diverted for any other
person Who may now be expressly authorized to
divert the same. or who were, on the first day Of
Of for rnaiufacturins or business purposes that all
corporations. associations or persons to whom the
Granted or who we're on the first day Of September
1884 engaged in the actual diversion thereof for
the rsh to divert the same for sanitary domestic
or fire purposes may be hereafter granted shall
be under the direction and control of the Commits
sOners of the Land ONCE who may from tire 10, 10
s;e I Reservation mat at Niagara and to the parties
interested, make such orders and give such direc-
waters as shall be just and equitable; but this sec
lion shall not be so construed as to afhrm: en-
ton association or persons. to affirm, enlarge
o, impair any right privilege or license under
the water OF said river.
Mr. Marshars substitute provides as follows:
The right 70. divert the waters Of the Niagara ni
or license heretofore hereafter created shall be
la By ana BE near of ha the snd oe but
this section shall not be deemed to recognize or
aIe0t an! nou, claim, the right 10 jl-
vert the waters of said river.
Mr. Deans substitute simply provides that the
legislature shall not hereafter grant the right to
olcnon 81 of
0, the Niagara River above Niagara Falls. except
for sanitary domestic or fire purposes
ALLEGED DAMAGE TO THE FALLS.
These several substitutes were before the Conven-
ton when the discussion was resumed this morn
ing. Mr. Barhite. chairman of the subcommittee
stated that those who appeared before the commit
tee to oppose any kind control represented
the several corporations Interested. He read the
following letter 10 show how powerful was the In
fuence that had been brought against the amend
ment:
l, would be much as mans business was
agents and innumerable companies. lawyers ana
tained proposition looking to jHacious Of
great river Yet 1t Is fact today mat the c river
Islands is dry. and that perceptlble dninutions viii
show more readily as soon as the new mammoth
mouth OF the hydraulic canal is dredged ont More
special lowering will be apparent when the great
tunnel commences to carry 1t under the city there
water
Mr. Johnson. Of Wyoming offered a substitute
providing that "the Legislature shall not grant, sell.
lease othorwis. dispose of any right title or In
terest in or to the Niagara River. or any OF the
waters thereof, bu, the shall remain the prop
erty Of the State and under its management and
control forever"
NJ. Johnson thought that all the citizens OF the
State were stockholders in tn, power that might
be developed from the Falls Of Niagara. and that
the State ought 20 go into business on its own
account 1t had already made business Of the
canals and Of the salt Industry. and both Of them
with profit to the people, Now let it take up the
power from the falls and sell lease IL for the
nnanciai benefit Of the whole people.
should p lee sad 1t would OF be S pe
The fals Ana yet al Of the substitutes thus far
isting corporations. would draw any considerable
amount OF water from the river. Water must be !
Tonawanda that would allow the larger vessels
Of the Great Lakes to discharge their cargoes;
BY steam in the State is 900; and the annual cost
Of horse power is $50. An OF this power could
foot nom the surface Of the fails The General
he hse'e Company mp Of Bsns9 ran all the ears In
horse power and 5000 horsepower would run
G Nssa a @ as Be w ava
That electric power coulc be sent TO any distance
mouth Of the Pennsylvania mines would be used |
for fuel. and power would be developed there and |
Mr. Forbes said that other localities In the State |
beside Niagara were interested in the ques-
ton At Waddington, on the St. Lawrence River. |
the situation similar. lie moved that special |
committee o. five be appointed by the preslden.
70 Investigate the subject in all localities and 10 re-
~ - " s,h, ,,,u,a mroviGinn e."s ioS ne
lsture should never sell or dispose OF the waters
Of the state: that the right to use the water might
only be granted on payment Of compensation there
for to the State. and for limited periods
ceeding forty years, and that all grants Of prop
ery rights in the waters Of the State should be
revoked
Mr.: McKinstry made the point that nature alone
could control the quantity OF water that would be
drawn from either the American or the Canadian
SIDE. II the CaAadlans should buid large number
Of factories on their side Of the river. the Americans
would be sorry that they had not done the same
thing first.
MI Hill called attention to the Jurisdiction OF the
etAte the waters OF the river. He thought the