New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-06-16
PLAN APPROVED.
CANAL MEN ASK FOR AN EXPENDITURE
OF s2O.00OOOO
THE NETWORK PRODUCE EXCHANGE OVER
RULED IN ITS DESIRE TO RESTRICT IN
PROvEMENTs TO THE ERIE.
IBY TELEGRAPH TO TIFF TRrBusR.l

TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNP1
Albany, June 1.-THE Delavan House was the
scene to-day of a large gathering of canal men met
for the purpose of taking measures for the improve
ment of the State canals through the ala OF the
Constitutional Convention. Incidentally the canal
men assembled to give expression 70 their opinion
of a large number Of proposed amendments aHect-
ing the canals Among those who attended the
conference were the following: George Clinton. NJ
NJ. Drake r. r. Henord and p. " Carroll. OF Buff
falo: George b. Sloan Of Oswego: Martin schenck
ex-State Engineer. OF Greenbush. q. w. Balch r.
NJ. Clark. John Valiant and Edward Bailey OF the
New-York Produce Exchange; Edward Durant' Jr
of the Albany Chamber of Commerce; william G.
Cleary Frank S Gardner and Alexander r. Smith
of the New York Board of Trade and Transporta-
ton and T.. p. Newcomb, of the Board Of Trade OF
Whitehall
Mr. Bach of the New-Yorh Produce Exchange
called the meeting to order. and was elected It's
chairman on motion OF George Clinton. Alexander
s. Smith Editor Of THE Canal Defender, was
elected secretary. Mr.. Balch said the Produce Ex-
change had called the meeting out OF desire TO
further the Improvement of the Erie Canal 1t was
obvious that the canal facilities were inadequate
and the State would lose much Of the trade of the
West unless It was deepened and its locks length
ened The Constitutional Convention could present
amendments which would permit the bonding of the
State for the enlargement of the Erie Canal. Mr.
Balch intimated broadly that the Produce Exchange
did not think il good policy 10 enlarge the Oswego
and the Champlain canals. He personally favored
a remposition OF canal tolls in order to improve
the Erie. although ne would only tax foreign prod
ucts carried across the State.
George Clinton opposed Il limitation Of canal I'M
provements to the Erie alone. The Oswego and
Champlain canals ought also 10 be enlarged. There
would be great danger of the defeat OF the canal
Improvement amendment II II confined the appro-
priation TO the Erie Canal Mr.. Cnnton's ideas
prevailed and 1t resolved 10 ask the Constitu-
tional Convention TO recommend the improvement
Of the Erie. the Oswego and the Champlan canals.
The proposed amendments transferring the Erie
Canal to the United States Government. introduced
by Thomas G. Alvord. were disapproved on motion
of Mr.. Clinton. A resolution presented by him was
passed declaring that 1T Is the sense OF TINS con-
ference that the canals of this State shall never
pass from the control OF the Government OF New
York" opposition also offered TO the idea OF
a ship canal Mr. Hefford being especially strenu-
Gus in his opposition. The conference finally by
unanimous vote passed a resolution. introduced by
Mr. Drake declaring that 1T Is the sense OF this
conference that executive committee OF I'VE De
appointed and that this committee advocate be-
fore the Constitutional Convention the policy that
will insure the carrying out OF the improvement
of the Erie. the OswegO and the Champiain canals
according TO the Seymour plan This means the
maintenance of average depth of nine feet on
the Erie Canal
The executive committee appointed to do this
work has its members Alfred Roman. president
of the Newly ork Produce Exchange. George Il.
sloan George Clinton. George W. Cleary and Louis
Windmjiller. The Seymour plan was embodied in
a bill which Senator Bradley introduced In the last
Legislature. II involves an expense or $-Voh.nNl
The executive committee will meet in Albany
on next Tuesday TO draw mp the amendments
favored by the conference. and they VIII be sub
unified AT the hearing to be given 10y the Canal
Committee on Wednesday afternoon.