New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-10-28
BOYD ANSWERS HARRISON
Tells of the Conditions on the Black
RiUer Canal.
IBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBuNEI

Albany. Oct. H.-In the Democratic campaign
the Department OF Public Works did not escape at
tack. Francis Burton Harrison candidate for Lieu
tenant Governor has made charges OF waste and
extravaganza in the management Of the canal sys-
TEN. Superintendent Boyd. OF the Department OF
Public Works, to-day had this TO say regarding Mr..
Harrison's allegations:
When statements We're first made Ly Mr.. Harri-
son calculated to lead the public to believe that
funds were being improperly expended on section
msnt, not desiring that the department. should be
brought into political controversy and mercy Gitea
the falsity of Mr.. HarTisOn's statements In view
and has been echoed by others feel it is due that
the public should know all the CIRCUMSTANCE
tom Of the cans Where II had BEEN fSr two years
is absolutely false. The dredge was placed out Of
commission two years or more ago because It had
tai1ed on the section since that time.
In manning the locks and bridges on that portion
OF the Black River Canal referred to by Mr. Har-
to say that in doing So am obeying the law ana
small amount Of trafic The cor Conditions now pre-
vailing have prevailed for a number of years. The
by Colonel Partridge the superintendent Of Public
Morks IN his annual report for thu year isO9 ana
was recommended. In my annual report for the
year 1902 called attention to this same matter IN
'Ttfeei it my duty to call the attention of your
ton 2, Black River Canal. In my Judgment the
s e e3TeS 4 6 a es and there
fore Is permanent. I leave il to your honorable
body to say whether The time has not now arrived
when that portion of the Black River Canal re-
ferred to should be abandoned for navigation pur-
poses"
Article VII of the State constitution provides.
among other things, that the Legislature shall not
SELL lease otherwise dispose of the Erie Canal,
the OsWego Canal the Champlain Canal. the Ca
yuga and Seneca Canal or the Black River Canal
1t will thus be that a constitutional amend
ment would be necessary TO carry into eHect my
recommendations. Each year since 1900 there nave
been constitutional amendments to be voted on OF
far greater import which, undoubtedly, Is the rea-
son why Section of the Black River Canal has not
been abandoned.
AS a matter Of fact. while few boats have navi.
gated the Black River at this point, the river has
been used great deal by pleasure craft and also
for the rafting of logs. This use has neceSSltateo
the operation of the swing bridges. Furthermore
the bridges in question constructed by especlaI
authority of the legislature, and their operation
made mandatory. Were there no navigation ana
no floating Of logs, thus requiring the operation OF
the canal for these purposes, II would still be the
superintendent,s duty to provide for the care ana
operation of the bridges until the state, by con-
stitutional amendment. relieved him OF SUCH duty
and it's attendant responsibility. All the bridges IN
question are located on main and extensively
of Public Works fail to provide for the opera
ton of these structures irresponsible individuals
might and probably would take II upon themselves
to operate the bridges, with the result that the
structures would be damaged and with the fur
Their result that should accident befal the state
would be responsible for the attendant loss Of life
and injury private property.