The sun., 1903-10-01
AGAINST The BARGE CANAL.
BIG MEETING OF CITIZENS or
ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.

Resolutions Adopted in Opposition TO the
PrOJect-The Republican County Com.
mittee Invites the Cooperation OF
All Citizens to Defeat the Scheme.
OGpENsBUBa, N. Y, Sept. 3O-The anti
canal meeting OF the citizens Of St. Law
renee county, at Canton, held at the in
vitation of the Republican County Com
mittee, drew a large gathering from all
parts Of the county. Barney Whitney Of
Lawrenceville, member Of the State Anti
Canal Committee, presided, and Charles D.
Randles, president OF the Ogdensburg
Republican Club, was secretary. The Hon.
John l. Platt Of Poughkeepsie addressed
the meeting at length, giving an abundance
of facts and figures against the proposed
canal enlargement. Senator George r.
Malby Of Ogdensburg and Assemblyman
Edwin A. Merritt, Jr., of Potsdam, also
made addresses.
Major William N. Daniels Of Ogdensburg
presented resolutions In opposition to the
barge canal proposition, giving in detail
the cost to each town Of the county should
the proposition carry. The meeting COM
prised great ma ajority Of the most promi-
nent and influential men in this county.
A meeting Of the Republican County
meeting and the following declaration
was adopted:
While the taxpayers OF st. Lawrence county
are willing to sanction the expenditure Of the
public money OF the State and contribute their
proportionate share thereof for the purpose
veniences and benehcences which will prove
OF general value to. the inhabitants Of the
State, the proposition to construct barge
Of our citizens to fall within this classification.
On the other hand, 1t seems to o1er very little
or no benefit to any consldera6ie e number OF OF
same time its cost Is so enormous that. even
II the sums which II is specifically provided
shall be raised BY direct ia! upon real and i
to objects of common benefit to all. 1t Is doubt
assume such a colossal burden Of bonded
or a grave public danger. Experience
has demonstrated that 1t Is well within
q conservative, estimate to place the ulti-
mate cost OF the barge canal. as proposed.
at $500, 900. 900, which means a tax OF per
cent upon every dollars worth Of real and
personal property in the state. as now as
sessed, before the canal debt could be liqui-
dated.
Before so vast mortgage is placed upon
all the real and personal property OF the
that suitable appropriations bs made for the
establishment and proper equipment OF an
agricultural college for the education OF
schools and academies. and further appropria-
tions for good roads: the further purchase
OF Adirondack lands for the protection Of
our watersheds. so essential to the health
of all our people and their future prosperity.
We are aware that indirect taxation has
nearly reached its limit without the placing
OF an unjust burden upon certain or our
citizens and that the present revenues are
scarcely sufficient, to defray the expenses
81 government and make suitable proyision
We approve Of the legislation which has
resulted in the practical abolishment OF
direct taxes for the OF the state
10 that system except to meet some great
emergency.
~ Being in great majority iS conv9ced ,ia s,no Of
enlargement and aware OF the magnitude OF
its ultimate cost, it seems that the citizens
Of ST. W5hout SS regard to pods
TO the imminence of the danger OF the adop-
ton of this proposition, when submitted 70
the people on Noy. >, and that they should
In order that the fullest possible vote
may be polled in this county against this
iniQuitous scheme We, the Republican County
Committee OF st. Lawrence county. invite
and urge to cooperate with US, in ,endeavor,,
ing to defeat the barge canal. all political
mittees the members Of the st. Lawrence
County Grange organization and all oranges
in the county and all other organizations and
individuals In the county without distinction
or occupation. party politics or other af1ilia-
tions.
The chairman of the Republican County
Committee is hereby authorized to confer
with the various political and other organ
OF the county committees for tho various
towns, and the Republican town commit
tees are hereby requested to cooperate with
all the organizations for the purpose OF Sc
curing their assistance in organizing the
voters in opposition to the proposed barge
canal appropriation.
The Democrat at their county convention
yesterday ignored the subject Of canals,
which is thought to indicate that they will
refuse or neglect to cooperate with the
Republicans in endeavoring to defeat the