New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-03-14
CANAL PROBLEM UNSOLTED.
RIVAL PROPOSITIONS BEFORE THE LEG
STATURE.
THE PAvEY AMENDMENT OPPOSED BY SUPPORT
ERs OF THE 100000 BIlI-BLACKs
DELAY OF THE INVESTIGATION
EXCITES COMMENT.


Albany March IL (speciaD.-One OF the CHIEF
matters which remain to be considered by the
Legislature is the policy to be followed in re-
gard to the improvement of the canals TWO
legislative measures of importance have been
introduced relating 10 this subject, one an
amendment to the Constitution, presented by
Senator Pavey authorizing the sale or lease OF
the canals OF the State to the United States
Government and the other bill, introduced by
Senator Cantor and Assemblyman HILL sub
mitting TO the people at the coming November
election proposition TO spend S7OOOVo more
for what was origir ally known as the ''S9,oOo'Vo
I Improvement"
These two propositions In the opinion or the
supporters Of the S7O00O00 scheme. rival each
other. Those who take this view argue that
there is great danger II any hope Is held out 10
the taxpayers Of the State that the United States
will lease buy the canals. that they VIII vote
against granting the S1OOOOO0 The supporters
Of the S7.U0Oo0 bill therefore, have been re-
sisting with all their might the Federal control
plan AS they look upon Senator PAYERS
amendment, IL passed ny the present Legis-
lature It would put a stop for several years to
come 10 a continuance Of improvement Worh
on the canals and thus the state would gain
no immediate advantage from the S3'oooO II
already spent on this work.
PATRONAGE ENDANGERED
With such bitterness has the Pavey amend
ment been fought that suspicion Is aroused that
some other motive than love Of the canals Is
back Of the opposition tc It, Some members OF
the Legislature say that the attack on II Is made
because Of the political patronage along the
canals which II would wipe out. The two great
political machines in the State have certainly
/ made this patronage controlled by the Superin-
tendent Of Public Works, a potent force in the
| primaries OF the canal counties The big canal
contracts which are given out by the Superin-
tendent OF Public Works so Ions as the State
carries on the work Of canal improvement. also
influence greatly the politics of various counties
Canal contractors with political pulls it may
well be believed. would rather have the State
Canal Department manage the work OF canal
improvement than to have it directed by the
engineers Of the United States.
Ii is possible. however, that such real friends
Of the canals are opposing the Pavey amend
/ ment making mistake. 1t Is pointed out
by the advocates of the amendment that 1t Is
merely permissi g. that 1t simply frees the hands
of the State, now tied. to do what 1t pleases with
its canals. Suppose" say the supporters Of the
amendment. that the people refuse TO grant
any more money for canal improvement and vote
down the s.. ZOO 900 proposition will not the
State Of New-York be in better situation. If,
after this defeat of the proposition at the polls IT
IS able TO turn to Congress and ask what It will
do 10 imp.o the great waterway? What can
be the harm Il having two roads 10 follow one
which leads 10 The State improving the canals
at its own expense and the other to the United
States Treasury bearing the Of the project? ,"
ATTITUDE OF RURAL MEMBERS.
Any one who talks with the rural members of
.ha
ent 30 the spending Of a single additional dollar
canal improvements 1t was unfortunate
| that It was not until most Of the 100000 had
been spent, and all had beer contracted for that
/ The news was flashed upon the state that 7,O'0,-
! ODD more would be required to complete the
/ work. There at least suspicion Of deception
] in 'he case. and the taxpayers did not like II.
1 Senator Higgins Of Olcan. said on Friday:
The voters Of the southern tier OF counties
/ would snap al the chance Of giving the Erie
| Canal to the United States Government. and
Would vote unanimously in favor Of senator
! Paveys amendment. People tired OF being
! taxed for the support end Improvement OF the
! canals
Senator higgins is chairman Of the Senate
Finance Committee. and Therefore is in posi-
ton 70 know the plans Of the lead 'Ts o. the Re
publican majority i'll the Leglsi iWre. When
asked II he thought the S1.Cp)N'O proposition
| would be adopted by the Legislature he replied
1T has been the plan heretofore this season
not 20 submit this $1,000 OOJ proposition Ia tho
l
sion should have made its repO', and could
decide what was best TO he done, whether to go
on WITH the canal impr0.eneHt or abandon il.
! am not aware that there has been any change
OF purpose.
Il am somewhat ST, u,or:sed.' said Lieutenant
favor this S7O00O00 bill. for II strikes me It is
n rather illogical attitude for him 10 take when
we remember his criticism OF the canal improve
Inent work already done"
BLACK IN no HURRY
Governor Blacks delay in appointing the
Canal Commission is exciting Increasing won
der The Canal Commission bill framed In
his office early in January. and he knew weeks
IN advance OF the passage of the measure that
il would reach his hands. lie had therefore
abundant time TO select the members Of the
Commission and be ready 10 appoint them as
soon as the bill should pass the Legislature.
The measure passed about the middle OF
February. but the Commission has not yet been
named.
II is said that the delay is due to the Gov
ernor's desire to name a high-class Commission
and the refusal Of a large number of desirable
men TO serve II. The state. indeed. seems
to have adopted niggardly attitude toward
this important Commission Not a member Of
II is TO get a cent OF pay. and only $4,000 IS
appropriated for its expenses. IL these days Of
/ large bills for counsel. stenOgraphers and type
writer's this appropriation seems small.
The delay Of the canal investigation cOmpels
the Senate and the Assembly to act in the dark
on the 81 100000 proposition If the matter
is not voted on this year. It is already clear
that il cannot be submitted TO the voters at the
polls in the fall Of 1899 as a constitutional
amendment relating to New-YOrk City will
then have to he considered. and the Constitu-
tion forbids two such questions going before the
people at the same election. Unless, therefore.
the proposition goes before the people this year.
action on II will probably have to be deferred
until 1900 the year Of the election of the Prcs-
dent. The circumstances have given rise 10 tho
thought in many minds that the Legislature
made a big mistake when IL did not do a little
canal investigating on It's own account this
year.
GIRL SHOOTS HER FATHER