New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-03-11
FOR 4 CANAL POLICY.

Tho main facts relating 10 an expenditure or
co 600 GOO in worl, of canal Improvement which
would require nearly twice rs much more Tor us
completion are pretty we'll known TO the people
Of this State but the foundation of thorough
knowledge essential to the adoption Of a sound
canal policy is lacking. For this reason Gov
ernor Roosevelt has acted wisely In appoihtlhea
commission 10 study the whole subject IN the
public interest. and the men whom lie mas Sc
lected are well fitted for their work II they
consent 10 undertake it they can be trusted to
perform it with zeal and care. and their conclu-
sions will command general respect
II is n matter OF vital Importance that the
question which the people of Ncw-fork VIII
have to settle definitely at some time should De
understood rs soon as possible. In general
sense the state has always been committed to
the maintenance of its chief artificial water
ways but for many years its treatment of them
has been haphazard rather than systematic III
the aggregate an enormous sum has been eX-
pended upon them but no one doubts that much
Of il has been wasted. partly through ignorance
and unfaithfulness. partly because satisfactory
results can never be obtained where parsimony
and extravaganza alternate in the management
Of great public undertakings. In one way ana
another situation involving grave problems ar
fecting the permanent welfare OF the State has
been brought about. and it is necessary to look
II suuarely in the face. From the investigation
which the Governor now proposes a consistent
policy worthy of adoption and steady support
ought TO be evolved
One of the questions which have been raised
is whether or not an improvement which was
expected to cost 100000 is worth finishing ut
Of rnfpr n that
do not hesitate TO say that this is not the time
and the people are not now in the mood for any
such expenditure A good beginning has been
made in the indispensable task of purifying
canal administration. but that task needs to be
completed aid the system changed first Of all.
Looking 10 the future some persons think it
may ultimately be the part Of wisdom to spend
far larger sum for the sake of giving the ca
nals radically different standing in the carry
Ing trade and enabling them to float large UNI
broken cargoes from the Lakes TO tidewater.
Others on the contrary believe il may be advis-
able in view of the probable development OF
railroad transportation. 70 send after the mill
ions already put into a mismanaSed improve
ment lust enough more TO bring some sort Of
order out of the chaos Each Of these proposals
has intelligent advocates, and there are besides,
not a few who think that the canals Will soon
lose their utility, II they are not already oDso-
lcte, and might better be abandoned 10 their
fate now than held up by main strength for
few years longer.
Each of these alternatives. foolish and even
wicked as more of them may seem to
many citizens TO be. is deserving OF careful con-
sideration on the part Of the Governors COM
mission, and If we are not mistaken the commits
sion is so constituted as 10 assure each of them
an impartial hearing and fair representation
in the final report Of It's labors.