The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1901-04-10
OPPOSE CANAL OUTLAY
State Grange and Farmers'Con-
gress Enter Protest.

Petition Introduced Into Senate and As
sembly Directing to the Manner In
which the Legislation Is Proposed and
Demanding Public Hearing Before the
Canal Committee.
ALBANY, April "a protest against
the proposed expenditure OF $26,0OO,000
for canal improvement work was submit
ted last night TO the senate and assembly.
1t was signed by Elliot Il. Norris, mas
ter OF the New York State Grange, Pat
rons Of Husbardry; James Ward, pres
ident Of the New York State Farmers
congress, aud John |. Platt. secretary of
the New York State Tax and Trans
portation Reform association.
The protest is as follows,
'rhe undersigned, representing import
ant organizations OF the farmers and tax
payers OF the state, respectfully remon-
strate against the passage Of the pro-
posed bill for the expenditure of S26,-
100000 i'm the enlargement of the canals,
without first affording an adequate and
proper hearing to those who believe that
such action will be unwise and detrimen-
tai TO the interests Of the state and es-
pecially to its agricultural interests.
I'VE respectfully represent that dur
ing the last three years the advocates OF
canal enlargement have practically used
the official power OF the state TO create
public sentiment in favor Of the eXpendi-
ture. The commission appointed by Gov
ernor Roosevelt, after expending several
thousand dollars, taken from the treas
ury. brought in report consisting ex-
clusively OF arguments upon that side,
Nhich we regret to be compelled to say
were based upon statements and figures
which careful examination shows 10 be
absolutely false,
The tables contained in that report are
so erroneous that they are entirely unrc-
liable, and the conclusion based upon
them is misleading and untrue. The last
legislature appropriated S2O0OOO for tt
continuance OF the same process. The
advocates Of canal enlargement have had
the ear of the state government, and
their expenses have been paid out Of the
state treasury. On the other hand there
is a very large and respectable body Of
citizens who believe that further money
spent upon rhe canals will be utterly
wasted, and who have had no hearing at
all. We claim that these parties, which
we In part represent. are entitled to be
heard.
I'VE further call your attention to the
unjust, and, as we believe, illegal manner
In which this bill has been brought before
your honorable body. The act Of last
year authorizing further surveys d.
rected the state engineer to report the
result Of his action TO the governor before
Jan. l. The governor was directed to
transmit the same to the Legislature on or
before Jan. IL. The purpose Of these
conditions was evidently to afford all
parties full knowledge Of the conclusions
reached and opportunity for full and fair
discussion Of the propositions based upon
them. Instead of obeying this mandate
the final report Of the state engineer was
not made until Feb. 20 and was not
transmitted till March IL. The bill itself
was introduced on Thursday last. 1t Is
printed and on file for the first time to-
day.
Method of Introduction an Outrage.
I'VE respectfully submit that this Is
Unprecedented in the history of legisia.
tion; that subject more important aud
carrying a larger sum of money than any
other that has ever been submitted to the
legislature should be thus introduced In
the last days Of the session is in its0f
an outrage, and to force il TO vote now
without fair and ample discussion will
be an act of such injustice that we here
by enter our most earnest and emphatic
protest against il.
I'VE, therefore. respectfully ask the
honorable, the senate, to make such or
der as shall refer this bill to committee
with directions to grant a sufficient hear
ing to all parties interested in and af-
fectcd by it. And we respectfully ask
the honorable, the assembly, to take such
notice Of the conditions hereinbefore
named as will assure to us an ample and
unrestricted hearing before the commit
tee to which it has already been re-
ferred."
The petition was presented to the SEN
ate by Senator Amber. Senator Davis
objected to the reading, but upon advice
of Leader Ellsworth withdrew his OBJ
iection