This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1870 edition. Excerpt: ...upon canal navigation, is depressed. Capital invested in products, grain, iron-ore and lumber does not pay on account of the vexatious delay and increased cost of transportation. Put the canals in good navigable condition the size they now are, and you will decrease the cost of transportation 33 per cent, and increase the business of the canals more than an equal amount; and then a reduction of tolls of 25 per cent will produce more revenue than the canals now pay; but we do not want revenue except to keep the canals in repair. The benefit to individuals from cheap and quick transit of property is all the revenue we ask. The canals are for the people and not the State. If business men are united the remedy is in their hands. The Democratic party is pledged to repeal the repair contract system, and all the contracts now held under it The men who organized and perfected this scheme of plunder, and who have controlled the Canal Board and Legislature for the last ten years, and ruined the Republican party, are now making an effort to control the Legislature and to retain this system which has robbed the people of millions of money. United effort and prompt action on the part of business men, before the Legislature, and we can secure a plan or policy of canal management which will protect the interests of the whole people. SPEECH OP Hon. HENRY L. FISH. Mr. President and Gentlemen of the Convention of The Commercial Union of the State of New-York: Although it is getting late, and the grounds of our grievances and complaints against the past and present canal management, and the remedies for them at this most critical time of our canals, have been pretty well covered and argued by the able gentlemen who have preceded me, yet I desire to say...