New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-03-29
THE CANALS AND THE GOVERNMENT.

In opposing the proposition before the Cham
Der Of Commerce at its meeting last Thursday
for turning the Erie Canal over TO the Federal
Government Mr.. Hewitt spoke, as he always
does when his subject deeply interests him, with
great vlgor and effectiveness. 1t Is not prob
able that all who accepted his conclusion agreed
with all he said. He went further than many
would go, for example, In declaring that II the
United States were begging New-York for her
great waterway and could be securely bound
to spend all the money necessary for It's perfect
development and maintenance he would vote
no. On those terms we think, majority of
the people Of this State would cheerfully agree to
because it is too much TO expect that New-York
will put and keep them in a condition Of the
highest efficiency. But on the main question
Mr.. Hewitt made an extremely Interesting and
forcible argument
Obviously It is impossible to guarantee that
Congress- If the canals should be sold or leased
TO the Government would invariably provide
an adequate sum, or any sum whatever, for
their maintenance. The appropriation would
have to be included in the River and Harbor
bill, which is always an exceedingly uncertain
measure, and the final shape of which, after
Infinite log-rolling, no man can ever predict.
In the case of the New York canals. as Mr..
Hewitt pointed out a man must be snguarly
credulous 10 believe that the representatives in
Congress Of constituencies which have watched
with JOY the rapid diversion of trade from
New-York to Atlantic and Gulf ports would
vote TO restore to us what we have lost HUI
man nature is not so constituted. Their siren
uous opposition would assuredly have to be
overborne, and thus far proof is lacking that
other communities would succeed In furnish.
ing the force to overbear It. Mr. Hewitt: might.
furthermore, In describing the precarious con-
dition IN which the canals might at any time
be placed, have mentioned the pertinent fact
that no River and Harbor bill is TO be passed
by the present Congress. II the canals were
now under the control Of the Government we
do not feel by any means certain that the moral
obligation to maintain them would have upset
that programme.
II cannot be denied that the future of canal
transportation is problematica good many
intelligent persons who are not In the pay Of
railroads believe that the railroads are destined
to drive the canals out Of existence. but nobody
believes that the time has come to give them
clear field. and comparatively few, we mag
me- 'nhh hat thls STATE snould now adopt
policy looking toward that end Two years ago
the people cheerfully voted to expend $4,000, 900
for canal Improvement, and not improbably, rs
Mr. Hewitt says, would have furnished double
that sum II they had been convinced that so
much was needed TO do the work which they
were ready 10 authorize. 1t appears to us that
the sensible course for the Legislature to pur-
sue this year, the circumstances being what
they are, is TO submit to them the question
whether or not 100000 more shall be In
vested in the undertaking which, is now In
progress. They will know before election how