Year: 1876

into tho Treasury, including moneys which may h
withheld by the State existing contracts, or ro-
covered Dy the state IN respect 10 such cohact OF
work under them, such sums as may be necessary "a
improve the waterway Of the Erie Canal TO depth OF
seven and half eight feet at such places as may bc
found most useful or most economical


Fourth-Approprating such proportion Of the
expended balance Of former appropriations for the
ChamplaIu Canal as may DO necessary TO improve tho
waterway or that canal.


Fyfh-Directing the Canal Board at the commence
OF the next session OF the Legislature to report
what II any, specific improvements other than here
mentioned essential TO the interests OF tho
State The advantages OF improving the waterway
in the annual Message OF 1875, and again in
the annual Message of 1876 In the special
Message Of March 49, 1875 while showing the
outlay on the canals for alleged improvements
questioning utility OF most Of the new construc-
ton, exposing the fraudulent devices Oy which con-
tracts obtained aud inviting investigation as to
the quality OF the work still insisted on the Immense
benefits at comparatively small cost OF improving thd
waterway IN the following language:-


my Judgment far more portant Improvement Of the
Erie Canal would be effected by thorough system OF ordn
ay repairs which should give the waterway .s proper aa
eyer reasonably practicable from seven 70 eight feet as the
the boat larger Of water that the dis


no, he necesSr% % Se e h 1o yr, or eSer strnctnres
or 70 carry the walls of tho canal below the present bottoms
improved without reference the channel
mcnt OF the quickening its speed 1t would in
crease the amount Of service rendered in given time and
portaon Ii would benefit heboatmen carriers more,



Of moro real utility navigation than five


lis cost expended Cd IN she average mn manner Of SCALED i'm
practically se to enlist the imagination of projectors who
seek the fame Of magnificent constructions Of the
gineers who build monuments tor exhibition their rivals
TO awaken the rapacy OF cormorant who iaen Jobs


l renew the recommendation of my annual Message
upon this subject and particularly,


That provision made by law enable the Engl-
neer soon after navigation is opened 70 measure the depth
four rods of its length aud on the upper and lower mitrs


These opinions are deduccd from the best engineer.
ing science applied canal nave alton, and
frmed by practical experience. In tho present
depressed state OF business Is found an increased neces
sity and favorable opportunity for going on with this
measure. Tho interests OF tho consumers IN
cheap navigation, OF the boatmcn aud ior-
warders Tor every facility in their business
the low prices Of material and the scanty employment
of labor all circumstances which conspre TO do
mand attention TO this subject and 10 make tho pres
ent 1T and advantageous time III which TO begin tht
work; and do now earnestly ask your consideration
OF these recommendations which regard OF high pub


lie importance. | avail myself of this opportunity "a
the recommendation recently submitted TO you,
that a law be passed comforting on the Canal Board
full powers OF Investigation and redress of all wrongs
done to the State in respect 10 canal work IL seems
quite clear that such powers ought TO be wasted
in that body aud la every similar body in respect Of
the particular occasion. | likewise renew the recom-
mendaton of an ample appropriation in aid of the do
fence OF tho State against fraudulent unjust canal
contracts ana in aid of civil and criminal actions in
behalf of the State growing out OF canal frauds
1t Is impossible TO properly prepare such cases
for trial without larger expenses than the
State las hitherto been accustomed 10 make
The machinery or the State ior such legal
controversies is very inadequate and ineffective COM
pared that OF the United States government any
other government, and needs to be supplemented by
accessory measures In recent instances have seeR
rich and powerful public denqucnts in tho courts do
Tending their possession OF plunaer and their personal
liberty by very numerous counsel stimulated by enor
fees exceeding many times ordinary professional
compensation The effect is to demand extraordinary
sacrifices OF and effort the part OF those whe
represent the people render the tigations extremely
engrossing and burdcnsome. The State will not initiate
practice OF extraordinary OF professional COIN
pensaon but not TO forcsee and TO provide for aiten-
ton, effort and aid commensurate with the necessity
would bo practically abandon the assertion OF the
rights and the protection OF the interests o the people
against the wrongdoers SAMUEL j. TlLDEN.