New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-04-07
CANAL SURVEY BILL PASSED.
IMPORTANT MEASURE NOW GOES TO
THE GOVERNOR-PLATT FORCED
TO YIELD.

Albany, April 6 (SpeciaD.-The bill which
passed the Senate yesterday authorizing sur
vey Of the canals OF this State for the purpose
OF determining whether this enlargement as pro-
posed by Governor Roosevelts Canal Advisory
Commission would cost more less than its
estimate of $50, 900. 900 passed the Assembly to-
day. 1t done by the aid of the New-York
City Democrats The bill introduced by
Senator Marshall. and calls for appropriation
of 100000 It's passage attended with sew
eral striking incidents, and was accomplished
in the last hour of the session. The calendar Of
the day had been run off. The huge gilt hands
Of the Assembly clock had been turned back A
band of fifty instruments played a hymn in
the gallery. when the Speaker mounted the
rostrum and called for silence. He said:
The Committee on Rules hands down the fol-
lowing report.
1t was the Canal bill. Not until then was It
known by the political leaders themselves
whether not that measure should be
sidered by the Assembly. 1t had passed the
Senate the preceding day through the vigor-
efforts Of Senator Ellsworth, but when 1t
committed to the custody Of the Rules Com
nlittee, of which five members out Of six were
known to be antagonistic to such measure. it
seemed to be surely doomed. The Committee on
Rules is composed of Speaker Nixon and Assem-
Mr.. Kelly was the only member who voted for
the bill. 1t then seen that II was not the
Committee Rules, but the Governor, who had
acted. 1t was then seen that. through the perse-
verance and energy of the Chief Executive, a
step was TO be considered which, if taken would
lead to the enlargement of the canals as recon-
mended by the Governors Commission, at a
cost Of S6OOOOOOO or more, or. If defeated. would
possibly mean their utter abandonment. AS one
O1H hIinov
pressed it:
This is the most important measure which has
been before us since the times OF Governor
Clinton.
Tammany representative said:
Platt has at last thrown up his hands The
bronco rider is too much for him.
The vote showed that not only the bronco
rider but greater part of the Assembly was
too much for him.
OPENING ATTACK ON MEASURE
Assembyman Hatch, of Steuben County made
the first attack on the measure by attempting to
amend it, He proposed that it should not take
effect until the people had had chance to vote
upon it.
Assembyman Hill, of Erie County. voicing the
interests of the western terminus of the canal
stouty defended the merits OF the bill. and in
denouncing the amendment he said that the
Qereat.
II was not much question of expense he
continued. but of the States commercial su-
premacy. He added that the bill merely threw
light on the expense and the difficulties of con-
struction, and he believed that the people OF
the State would support any legislation intended
TO improve its great arteral waterway. Its chief
value, he said, to determine how much a
LOCO ton barge canal, recommended by the
Governors Commission would cost
Assemblyman Lewis Of Monroe County, was
in favor Of the amendment. He said that such
an important measure should have been reported
weeks ago. lie spoke Of the appropriation OF
S9.OO0,000 made for a scheme of canal improve
ment and of the scandal that had arisen. He
said that the people were Disguised with what
had happened then and looked with suspicion
upon similar schemes
Assemblyman Davis overturned some Of the
arguments of Mr.. Hatch and Mr.. Lewis in the
attack Oh the amendment He said:
has been said that the policy of the State as
determined by the present administration of the
State Engineer will be reyoIutionzed by this
again and again that there should be no more
money spent on the canals. as is done, in a
survey Of the whole route This bill is to get in
Iornauon' wiIhquI wnch we nave no rght TO lesis-
ature of or 1902 can decide whether to have
supremacy or TO abandon them altogether There
are places along the route especially near the city
the canal cannot be enlarged
NEWCOMERS FAVOR BILL.
Mr.. Trainor. the leader of Tammany Hall. OPP
posed any amendment to the bill 1t
seen that he voicing the sentiments of the
entire New-York City delegation, irrespective of
party utilization, from the applause which he
was accorded from both sides of the House. He
summed up his arguments in these words:
our canals to-day are as antiquated as the stage
coach. If not TO be improved and man
aged in modern manner they should De filled in
with dirt and used for some more useful purpose
AS a representative of the great metropolis at the
mouth OF the Hudson River. say that our canal
West which seek Southern ports will come
by boat TO the doors of New-York City This bill
Is for experiment 1t is 70 help us find where
stand and to determine whether we want canals
railroads.
Dissension in the Republican ranks was
openly revealed by the speech OF Assembly
man Burnett. OF Ontario County. He said that
he was in favor Of any amendment which would
prevent the Legislature going on record in
favor of canals.
He said that though New-York City paid 90
per cent OF the taxes. the country districts
furnished the brains. and that the passage Of
the bill would be in violation of the interests of
the rural counties. and the Republican party
would be overthrown in consequence
Assemblyman Fish. of Madison County, re-
futed the chief argument Of Mr.. Burnett by say
ing that though he came from rural county. he
believed this was a broader question than
OF district. adding:
The enemies of this bill speak OF the scandals of
OF 80 0O0 OO0 upon canals II there had been
made there would have been no such extravaganza
and misuse Of moneys.
Aids DEFINES HIS POSITION.