The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1899-01-28
JUST A MUDDY DITCH
Is About all the Famous Erie
Canal Now Is.
ONCE A COUNTRYS PRIDE
Contrast Between Its PrinceI y
Days and Now

New York, Jan. 27-The staff correspond
ent Of the Mail and Express at Albany
writes of the Erie Canal and its history:
Not since the opening of the Erie Canal,
in 1926. have the artificial waterways of
the State attracted such general attention
as now. In their recent management there
have been alarming accusations of neglect
and fraud. High public servants are under
the ban of suspicion and indictment. The
searchlight Of official INVESTIGATION has
been turned on with full force. and dis
closures even more astounding are antici-
pated.
At such a time, and under such circum-
stances, one is led to inquire what are TO
be the benefits rtsulting to the state from
this investigation? The Governor has pro-
missed revolution in the conduct of canal
| affairs, and that the canal department,
during his term at least, shall be admins
| tered in tht interest of the canals them
selves and the commerce of the state. With
| this end in view he searched long and care
fully for the right man to undertake the
canal superintendtncy. But he has other
reasons for desiring a revolution in canal
affairs. He knows that the success of his
own administration as governor depends
largely upon the restoration Of the peo-
pies confidence in the department of pub
lie works. the disbursing channel OF mil
lions of the public funds.
Those familiar with the present condition
-
ciate the truth of the recently oft-heard
statement that the new canal superintend-
ent has a golden opportunity to make
record" The great work Of the late Col
onel Waring as street cleaning commits
sioner in New York City was original
and distinguished, and won for that Off
cial the lasting gratitude of the people of
the metropolis. But when compared with
the labor awaiting the man who helps the
canals to realize something like their pos
sible usefulness as waterways for the
transportation of freight, the great work
Of Colonel Waring seems indeed small.
The canals in New York State were built
during the first quarter Of the present CEN
fury, and today are fifty years behind the
times. Very little improvement, compar-
itively, has been made in them. If Dewitt
Clinton, famous as the most earnest and
influential advocate of the Erie Canal In
the early days. could return to earth he
would discern few changes on the raging
Erie" What he would find, however, would
be wonderful railroads that were little
dreamed of in his day, with the facilities
for rapid and abundant transportation
which private enterprise has yearly in
nd al do
gree, while the old canal, originally de-
signed asthe channel of commerce from
the great lakes to the sea, is little mare
than a neglected, sluggish stream.
The completion of the Erie Canal was
the occasion for great jubilation through
out the state. Dewitt Clinton was then
at the height Of his popularity. He was
serving his third term as governor and en-
jOyed the gratitude and confidence of the
people. In order that the opening of the
canal might be appropriately observed ar
rangement was made for a succession of
celebrations from Buffalo to New York
City. a line Of cannon was formed from
point to point within hearing distance
along the route, and the moment the first
boat entered the canal from Lake Erie a
signal was fired that transmitted through
to New York harbor and returned again
to Lake Erie, the transmission and return
of the signal requiring three hours.
-Four boats left Buffalo for New York on
october 26 1875. eight years and four months
from the time ground was first broken in
the work at Rome. Governor Clinton, on
board the Seneca chief, was in command
Of the little fleet. In the party were num-
erous public officials and committees from
Buffalo and other places. The Seneca
Chief was drawn by four camparsoned
horses. and as tbs boats passed slowly
down the canal stops we're made on sue
cessive days at different points where the
local authorities had arranged fitting cele-
brations.
The reception at Albany. where the
canal joins the Hudson was one OF the
most enthusiastic along the route. The
boats were welcomed by the thunder OF
cannon. martial music and the cheers
the populace. Speaking OF the elebration.
the local press said that day:
1T was not a monarch that they hailed.
hut the majesty Of genius. supported by
free people, that rode in triumph and COM
manded the admiration Of men stout OF
heart and firm Of purpose"
/ ne CeleDFdllon program included a street
prade. exercises in the Capitol collation.
and in the evening a grand bail.
When the first fleet arrived in New York
City the successful completion Of the
journty was marked by popular demon
stration that was a marvel for those times.
In addition to the large pageant. there was
a naval parade. Gov. Clinton was escorted
down through the NarrowS. where he went
through the ceremony Of uniting the wat
ers by pouring a key of-water from Lake
Erie into the Atlantic Ocean
There was still another class of boats
constructed al this time which long since
has disappeared. They were known as
packets and were built solely 70 convey
passengers. These baoJs ran in comperi-
ton with the stages on the Great Western
Turnpike. They were drawn by four. six
or eight horses. They were sumptuously
furnished FOR those times. and were Re
garded as the most comfortable means Of