New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-09-26
THE cOyERyoR AND TEE CANAL

Governor Odelrs strong speech on canals at
the Seneca County Fair must dispose once for
all Of the insinuations Of the anti-canal men
that he is not a sincere advocate Of enlarge
ment. which have been based upon the studied
moderation OF some Of his previous statements
on occasions when be was seeking to discuss
public questions without becoming an advocate
Of any particular policy. At Waterloo he made
an appeal 10 the farmers of New-IOrk which
ought to be largely influential in securing a IA
vorable vote for making adequate 70 modern
requirements this great public work. which has
conferred uncOunted benefits on the people OF
tie State
As tie Governor saws. the supremacy OF this
port is threatened, aud upon the people of New
York is placed the responsibility Of preserving
a commerce which is Of vital interest to the
whole commonwealth. 1t is often said that the
Western farmer. not the New-York farmer,
BENEFITS from the canal and that its improve
ment is a national concern. But the advocates
Of a national ship canal are really advocates Of
The utter abandonment Of the canal, whether
they know il or not There is not the slightest
reason TO expect Congress TO take up the work
even IT, after long agitation. the New-Iork con
stirution should be amended so that the State
could part with the canal. The railroad inter
ests which are working 10 defeat the present
proposed enlargement would exercise all their
influence on Congress to prevent it. Baltimore.
ston. Newport News. Norfolk. Mobile. New
Orleans and Galveston would combine TO de-
feat it, and everybody knows how hard ii is for
New-Nork 10 get reasonable appropriations for
a postoflice or q ship channel while large sums
are given TO other towns freely. Lot 10 mention
the difficulty Of getting anything extraordinary,
like a great ship canal
Moreover, IS the Governor points out. the &c.
600 farmers Of the State have a genuine inter
ce+ So the canal They must have outgrown the
notion by this tire that there is any gain for
them in shutting the door OF New-Tork to West
ern grain. The world market fixes the price
II il is driven elsewhere the only loser is New
York's commerce, and any reduction in that
means smaller local markets for New-Tork
farmers and less wealth in this whole COM
munity. Governor Odeil notes that better water
facilities VIII develop along the line Of the
canal more manufactures and bring Us q share
OF tire iron .Taie Raw material viii come In
TO be manufactured everywhere between Buff /
fal0 and NeW-Y0r5, 10 the advantage Of the
whole surrounding country. That has been the
experience Of Europe. where waterways are
highly developed. and where every canal. in
stead Of hurting the railroads by giving cheap
rates for bulky froights. helps them by furnish
ing more finished products for them TO carry
away from the towns which are able to get
cheap raw material by water.
The cost OF the Improvement need worry no
body. Probably indirect revenues viii be ade-
quate 20 carry large part OF il, but, even If it
all was made dependent on direct taxation. #
would mean a burden Of only 81 So on the aver
age hundred acre farm. In view Of that fact
no farmer should let any narrow fear OF his IN
Il fv-f47 H.
welfare. Canals are not obsolete. The most
enlightened nations build them on a large scale
and ind them Of benefit 10 the whole COM
munty. The usefulness Of the Erie Canal has
been impaired by neglect. but # would be the
height Of folly TO make that neglect the pretext
for utter surrender Of our commercial interests
into tic hands Of the railroads, which even
ROW uniformly discriminate against Ne7v-Yorlz
in their rates and their accommodations