Evening journal., 1894-09-11
TIE CANAL AMENDMENT
The Proposed Changes Are Vir-
tually Dead Now.
LONG DEBATE CLOSED AT LAST.
The New York Constitutional Convention,
In Committee Of the Whole. Takes De-
cisive Action on the Management Of ca
nails Educational Discussion Revived.

nails Educational Discussion Revived.
ALBANY, Sept 1.-THE canal PROPOSE
tion is virtually dead having been nulli-
lied by the amendment adopted by the
constitutional convention in committee
of the whole
AT the afternoon session Of the conyen-
tion Mr. Roche took up the discussion of
the canal article lie said that tho ex-
tremely conservative course of the canal
committee was surprise and was In dl-
rect opposition to the will OF the people,
who would certainly ut the polls vote for
Improvement Of the great waterways and
put them in a shape to combat the oppo
sition OF other interests The canals Of
the state We're the peoples greatest pride
and had done more to mako New York
state the greatest commercial conter OF
the Union than all It's railroads or all its
other interests combined II tho state
could afford TO make and build the canals
at timo when it had heavy debt and
was small in. population, it could now,
that 1t had no debt and had increased 20
largely in population, afford to Improve
them
He presented proposition to have a
commission, headed by the state engineer,
appointed to look over the ground and re-
port plan, and then have the legislature
and people approve or disapproye it, and,
If approved, TO allow the expenditure Of
money.
Mr. Nichols Of steuben was opposed to
the convention usurping legislative con.
troll. The legislature had plenty Of power
new, and the people could make their fat
by electing legislature that would en-
large the canals He was opposed 10 any
Interference with legislative control or s-
suing mandatory orders. The railroads,
he believed, were taking the place Of ca
nails, and caution should be exercised be-
fore the expenditure of vast sums Of
money was authorized.
Mr.. Mosre spoke strongly for canal i'm
provement. The people wanted it and
should be given the opportunity Of voting
for it.
Quoted Tiidens Views.
Mr.. Hin said people little realized how
the little strip Of water running through
the state put "a check on every railroad ia
the cast 1t would pay the state to keep
IN repair the canals if they carried but a
brick a year
On motion Of Mr. Cookinham It was de-
cided to continue the session until 6
o'clock to give further time for discus
sion, there being limit to debate on this
subject
Mr.. Bigelow said that those who had
quoted from Governor Tilden had not
taken those passages most pertinent. He
would not repeat the portions to which he
referred because tho messages of Governor
Tilden were accessible to all. But he had
ia his possession some notes prepared by
that governor which had never been pub
lished and from which he read portions
The idea Of deepening two feet was not
practicable. Tho canals would never
regain the business they had lost, ana It
was wrong to saddle the burden of un-
necessary expense on the taxpayers
Mr.. Baker of Oswego urged that the
Legislature be allowed to use its swn dis
cretien. II the canals were seven feet deep.
the boats now in use could carry a third
moro, and transportation would theH DO
cheaper
Mr. Mcmillan offered an amendment
striking out that portion making the i'm
position of duty on merchandise coming
from Canada discretionary with the leg
islature. He did not think tho use Of the
canals should be in any way impeded. II
was to the interest of the state that they
should not be obstructei in any manner
Mr.. McDonough thought the federal
government should have control Of the
canals.
Mr.. HottenrOth said the commercial sn-
periority of the state was due to the canals
Some Canal Amendments.
In the absence Of President Choate Sec
ond Vice President Steele called the con
vention to order in the evening. Mr.. Hot
tenroth continued his speech on the mi
nority report Of the canal committee Mr.
Durfee called up his amendment provid-
ing that the canals may be turned over to
the United States government II a guar
nntee be obtained for their maintenance
and the doing away Of all tolls.
Alr. Cochran asked If that portion Of
the bill allowing m imposition Of toll on
merchandise coming from Canada was
not in conflict not only with ourltreaties,
but with the national constitution.
Mr. Cody said it was not The commit
tee had made careful study Of the mat
ter and it was perfectly consistent and
lawful. The time for debate having ex-
pired, the amendments and substitutes
were taken up.
Mr.. Cody's amendment providing that
debt may be contracted in the usual way
Tor the improvement Of canals was lost,
rs was also a proviso amendment by Mr..
Floyd.
An amendment by Mr.. Baker allowing
the Legislature to impose toll on certain
articles Of mezchandise was also lost.
One by Mr. Mcmillan, striking ont the
portion allowing the Imposition of a tax on
all merchandise coming from Canada, was
lost.
An amendment by Mr. johnson prohib-
lting any contract with any corporation
for the furnishing of electricity or other
motive power for use on tho canals was
lost
Mr.. Durfee's amendment, as above, was
lost.
A physiological amendment BY Mr.
Sullivan OF Erie was carried, designating
the Main and Hamburg canal rs the Main
and Hamburg Street canal An amend
ment by Mr.. Hottenroth correcting ty-
geographical error was adopted
A substitute by Mr.. Roche providing
Tor perpetual state ownership of all canals
and doingaway with all tolls was lost.
The Committees Amendment Carried.
Mr. AolSer moved that the committeo
rise and report favorably the committees
amendment to the convention recom-
mending its passage. Carried.
Mr. Roche said the adoption of this
/ amondnpnt meant the total sifrrpndor IN