New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-03-10
STATUS OF THE CANAL BILL
LEGISLATORS WILL DEFINE THEIR
POSITIONS ON IT THIS WEEK.

, albany March (speciaD.-It is expected that
-. legislature will this week make manifest it's
Liz upon several of the leading measures of
iSg5sIation now before II. For several days, by
rarIianentary objections which Speaker Nixon has
,lad well taken, a test vote has been prevented in
.bs Assembly upon the bill of Mr. Weekes, of
NeW-York for submitting to the people at the polls
+b,s fall the proposition expend SS75ONOOO in the
innrovernent of the Erie, the Oswego and the
Trsmplain Canal. It seems likely that the bill will
he passed by the Assembly, but, unfortunately for
as friends Speaker Nixon comes from an anti
canal county. Mr.. Nixon therefore cannot be
pected TO favor IT,
, There are also rumors that lothian p Aids the
Republican leader in the Assembly. Will attempt
10 amend the bill with provision that the Che
mango Canal be improved. That canal is q lateral
me which has long since been abandoned, and If
Mr. Aids made any suggestion for its improvement
he must have been Joking. Nevertheless the friends
NJ the Canal bill do not count upon his supporting
n nor that they will receive aid from Otto Kelsey,
If Livingston County. James T. Rogers of
Brooms County, two other influential Republican
leaders.
THESE WILL AID THE BILL
II the Canal bill passes the Assembly It will be
nv combination of Republicans and Democrats.
AS usual the New-York City and Buffalo
bers irrespective Of party. favor the Canal I'm
proyement bill. AID for the bill will also come
nom Assemblymen living along the line OF the
Erie the Champaign and tie Oswego Canal. The
disposed TO accept the amendment TO II made at
the request of Assemblyman T. D. Lewis of
oswego County. chairman Of the Assembly Canal
Committee appropriatng S5,5O0O00 for the improve
ment Of the Oswego Canal. Opposition 10 this ap
preparation for the Oswego Canal may be expected.
however, when the bill reaches the Senate. since
the Senate Canal Committee has presented bill
which appropriates only sufficient money-$S 10000
for the Improvement OF the Erie and the Champ
lain Canal Assemblyman Lewis nevertheless.
counts the influence Of Senator Stranahan. OF
Fulton, Oswego County, In the Senate. and hopes
that because Of his influence the Senate will accede
10 q proposition expend g 1900 in the improve
nent OF the Oswego Canal.
Speaking about his amendment for the improve
nent Of the oswego Canal few days ago Mr..
Lewis said:
There IS a prospect that the WelIand Canal Of
Canada will be made free from tolls. II that hap
pens grain laden American vessels pass through
then come 10 osEego.- That would then, be the
In any case the legislature ought to Improve the
ogwego Canal and thus aid those who would build
ontario. Why. we have I87 miles of good. navigabe
water on Lake Ontario between the mouth OF the
On canal between B1ffaio and syracuse for in
transporting grain from Chicago or Duluth to New
transportation Ny Judgment is that the oswego
Canal should by all means be improved.
THE MORTGAGE TAX BILL
The legislature also will Indicate this week its
policy in dealing with Senator Stranahan's Mort
gage Tax bill. That bill was amended upon Friday
last by the Senate to provide that the tax be
paid under II shall 60 TO the localities where it
shall be collected. The amendment removes the
chief objection made the bill by the rural mem
bers Of the legislature who have been saying that
these localities could afford surrender TO the
State the money they now derive from taxing mort
cages: But there are members OF the legislature
opposed to any modification OF the present mort
gage taxation laws. The big vote by which the
amendment was made to the bill in the Senate on
FRIDAY, under which the revenues collected by the
seems TO indicate. however. that the bill viii pass
the Senate. The opposition TO the bill has been in
the Assembly, led by Speaker Nixon and Assembly,
man Kelsey, and there whatever opposition remains
10 the bill after Its amendment will still be found
The Assembly Railroad Committee VIII hold an
executive meeting tomorrow night to consider he
bills Of Assemblymen Apgar and wainwright pro-
vfdfng for the abolition OF the OF steam as a
motive power by locomotives in the Fourth-ava
tunnel 1t is anticipated that before tomorrow
night Mayor Low will indicate which bin in the
interest Of the city ought 10 be passed.