New-York tribune., 1902-03-20
A LA RGE SUN FOR CANALS.
"EEkES BILL TO BE REPORTED FA-
NoRABLY IN THE HOUSE TO-DAY.
IBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRrBuNE.l


Nlpahy, March 19.-Members of the legislature
VINO favor the Improvement of the canals Of the
"tdte felt considerably discouraged tonight
"heh they heard that the Assembly Committee
on Rules had decided to submit to that Hous,
the bill Of Assemblyman Weekes appropriatiDr
So'-"n00 for that purpose, although Governor
OueIl mad said emphatically on Monday that the
only bill he favored was that Of Senator Davis
which appropriates only S31 100000 for cana
improvements Such a large appropriation as
10000 the canal men think would invite
the Governors veto
Governor odell. however revived the courage
OF the canal men later by saying: The Assem-
bly, is not compelled 10 pass the Weekes bill"
The Governor then told that the failure
of the Committee on Rules to report the bill of
Senator Davis, which passed the Senate yes
terday, and the reporting Of the bill Of Mr..
Weekes, containing an appropriation for the i'm
proVement Of the Oswego Canal which the Sen
ate had already rejected, might lead to the de-
feat of both measures.
The Committee Rules may have certain
plans not disclosed he replied. and the Davis
bill might be reported out Tomorrow by it's
members. Then. il is a considerable time Yet
| 10 March 21"-thc date set for the final adjourn
ment of the legislature.
Then YOU still think there may be some Iegis-
lation to hrirg arout the Improvement of the
| canals of the state
Yes. l still think so" answered the Governor.
AssemhIyman Weekes sent the following let
ter to Speaker Nixon.
I hereby request that Senator Davis's canal
bill, which has Just PASSED the Senate, be re-
ported out by the Committee on Rules, and not
my hill. In my opinion. the reporting out of
my bin would defeat any canal legislation this
session. and, even il it We're passed. | understand
That III" Governor would not approve it. II
seems 10 me that, granting that the feeling is
what II is represented up the State. the addj
tional appropriation for the Improvement of the
pSwego Canal At this time would be a great mis-
take. but that the people would stand for the
Davis bill. If, then, the committee reports out
my canal hill. having the Oswego Improvement,
it is entirely without my consent and against
my wishes Yours respectfully.
JOHN A. WEEKES. JR.
on the other hand. the Committee on Rules
received letter from ASsemblyman Lewis. Of
Oswego County asking its members to report
favoraby the bill of Assembyman Weekes.
This letter of Mr.. Lewis was given as of the
reasons why the Committee on Rules reported
favoraby the Weekes bill. Again. it was said
that the bill no longer could be considered Mr..
Weekess, since when he introduced it, the
measure appropriated $2S 100000 for the I'm
provement Of the Erie Canal alone. and made no
appropriation for the improvement OF the Os-
wego and Champlain canals, which We're added
by the Assembly Canal Committee. The meas
ure therefore, il argued, was one for which
the Canal Committee was responsible, and not
MI Weekes.
The Committee on Rules. it is reported. by a
vote of four one, decided to report the
Weekes bill, the votes in favor Of the bin being
cast by Speaker Nixon and Assemblymen Aids.
Bedell and Palmer. Three Of these members,
Mr Nixon, Mr.. Aids and MIR. Palmer, come
from what are known 'anti-canaI counties"
They are counties which supposed 10 be op-
posed to the expenditure Of any more money in
raO Oa1 INN 4DT tbeir
tives voted 70 submit bill 10 the Assembly ap-
propriating S57, 200 900 for canal Improvement,
and did not report bill, the bill of Senator
Davis, which dpprOpriates only So, 100000 tow
ard that object.
Assemblyman Bedell represents Orange Coun-
ty. which, being upon the Hudson River, can
not be classed anti-Canal county. The
only member of the Committee on Rules who 3
reported TO have favored reporting Senator
Davis's bill Assemblyman MCKeOWn, Dem
ocrat. of Kings County. His friendlncss to canal
Improvement legislation cannot be doubted.
Senator Davis's bill provides for the improve
ment Of the Erie and Champlaln canals. That
| is the only measure Of canal Improvement, IN
| the opinion II the canal men, that Governor
Odell will sign. They, therefore, were discOEr-
aging tonight the passage Of Mr. Weekes's bill
| including the OswegO Canal in the work Of i'm
| proVement. 1t is also felt that Governor Odell
objects to increasing the cost Of canal improve
ment from the S3l $4,000 provided in the Davis
! I'm 10 the SGT 300 900 provided In the Weekes
| bill. Indeed. Governor Odell warned the adVo-
| Gates of canal Improvement when the original
| appropriation OF $2S. $4,000 for the improve
| ment of the Erie Canal had been increased by
| an appropriation for the Champlain Canal that
| there was danger of their inviting the addition
| of other appropriations for other parts of The
| canal system, and thus Of endangeTing the Dill
! Assemblyman WeekcS was talking TO Senate"
/ Davis tonight about the action Of the Commit
! tee on Rules.
| your bill comes up in the Senate tomorrow.
would move 10 amend it to conform with my
| bill" Assemblyman Weekes said he should haN"
! a conference with Governor Odell upon the mat
| tey early tomorrow morning.