New-York tribune., 1902-09-08
CANTOR TO CHA MProNCAN
WILL ASK DEMOCRATIC CONVENTION To
PLEDGE PARTY'S SUPPORT FOR
LEGISLATION FOR THEIR
DEVELOPMENT

L has been suggested to President Cantor b
canal boatmen and by representatives of CONNER
ciaI interests that he draft and to Dem
ocratic State Convention plank pledgng the party
to the development of the canal system of the
State in conformity with the plan suggested by tho
Greene Commission and approved by commercial
bodies of this city. Buffalo. Rochester. Syracuse
and intermediate points It his intention to com
,,rv with these requests and submit resolution to
i,e Incorporated in the platform committing the
,,arrv to this proposition. Speaking the subject
he says
The Republican party was practicay y pledged I to
a ii ifhousand ton lock canal and canal prime with
3,n feet of water all Of the authorities interested
IN mn InIS 6Jde ample Recommendations not only for
the present but for the future and make this route
,~apeblt. OF doing all the transportation work re
We had supposed that this construction been
agreed on as the policy of the State. But Governor
0dsII has seen fit to decline to carry out this
esrfe5 policy and has put himself. practically
~scor9 as the enemy of the system, and therefore
in opposition to the vast comInerclal interests OF
on what he termed economy in eSPsnidituTe BY
Tapid growth OF water Transportation and thus
SUGGESTING the appropriation or a large sum or
m9ney y6endered 5hT m he has defeated all efforts Of
those Who are believers in the States progress and
1rto desire 10 make these routes conform TO
the present and future necessities of the state
It has been q2s eanf eTen in 59 T day as
= legislator. has IL been necessary to resist the
P0nropriation Of pubic funds for the manenance
81 i-nnrovennent of the canals but II is believed
row thar the railroad corporations appreciate that
TLa development Of the canal system, instead of
i-irrSnc their carrying trade. creates additional
asse aCer and traffic freight for them by the build
i-r ~ of towns. villages and cities. and therefore
his 61position has practically disappeared:
While I dislike very much TO suggest politics in
co-reCtio,7 with such artery OF commerce, yet
r,usf anpeal 70 the record TO prove that the
1oer1ocratic party was for years the champion OF
fbe canal system. and has done everything in its
nover 10 make this system erViceable. not only as
means OF tra Importation but also as check upon
the railroad companies at least in the earlier days
C1-a needs only to observe the traffic upon the
Great Lakes in order 10 be convinced OF the i'm
~orrarrf OF keeping this waterway FULLY up TO the
reGuIrements Of our commerce. believe that both
-o--sI pa-tieS should be committed TO this thou
ss-5 ION and nine feet Of water" proposition.
do not believe that il can be truthfuy said that
+f-s counties not bordering the canal are op-
nose5 10 the appropriation OF sufficient moneys for
tT7is r-ro0se All the counties are Interested not
- - The greatness Of this State and its financial
- Commercial superiority and strength but they
s rereiyA al least reflex beneht from the growth
! ~ hose counties more directly affected by the
| CeraI L seems 10 me that this is the time for
fLis c-v and FOR the other cities directly inter
Sod IN the canals Of the State to send their dele
cations to the two conventious.the Republican and
! The penlocratic-iu order TO have both parties
| pledged to this development OF the canal system
| For nv part. / shall urge upon the DEMOCRATIC
| convention al Saratoga the adoption of a plank
| committing the party to this proposition