Mr. VANHORN, of NewYork. I cannot yield any further at present. Mr. Speaker, owmg to quite severe indisposition Twill not this morning occupy the time of the House at any great length in discussing this measure; but after a few remarks. the objects and features of the bill, I wilsltaytieinlg the remainder of my hour to several gentlemen who desire to be heard upon this subject. The bill is reported by the committee with several amendments which I propose the House shall act upon hereafter; and reserve the right to conclude what I have to say when the previousquestion shall have been ordered, if the House shall see fit to order it. Mr. Speaker, this is a measure of great national importance, and I propose to enter upon the discussion of the question in that light. This project has received the favorable action of the Government on several occasions in the past. Surveys for such a work have on several occasions been made under the direction of the Government by competent engi neers. Reports of those surveys have been made, and are on file for the examination of all gentlemen who are interested. Several years ago Captain Williams, one of the most distinguished of our engineers, made asurvey under the direction of the Government for the construction of this work. He surveyed several routes and made his report. That survey and report were made in a time. of peace. He said in that report it was a work of great military necessity, and that the GOvernment should enter upon the construction of the canal as a military work. Of course we all admit it is a work of great commercial importance and benefit to the country. It is the only link wanted in the communication between the great lakes and rivers as it proposes to connect Lake Erie with Lake Ontario. Then we shall have a continuous line of communication from Lake Superior to Lake Ontario and the river StLawrence. Now, sir, I am sorry to say that the chief opposition to this project comes from my own State. During the last few do s some documents have been circulated and laid upon the desks of members, issuing from the canal authorities of the State of NewYork, urging upon the Representatives from that State to oppose the passage of this measure as being against the interests of NewYork. I say I am sorry the opposition to this great national project should come from my State. I have no sympathy with such opposition, and I take no part in it whatever, because I believe this is a measureof national importance and utility, and as a member of Congress legislating for the whole country, I am not disposed to throw obstacles in the way of such a measure although it may seem to some small extent to interfere with the interests of NewYork. Being a measure of great national importance and utilit to all sections of the country, I think I shou (I make no opposition to it. Vhat has been the position of NewYork in regard to the measure heretofore? On 4 or 5 occasions NewYork has gone in favor of this proposition. As early as 1798 a company was incorporated called the Niagara Canal Company, which looked directly to the construction of a ship canal like that proposed by this bill. Again in 1823the legislaure of the State of NewYork took similar action and again incorporated a company for the construction of this work. In 1658 similar action was taken; only recently, within the last 2 weeks, the popular branch of my State has passed a bill providing for the incor poration o a company to construct this wor. by the large vote of85 to 30. I am aware that measure failed in the Senate, or will doubtless be lost. I am not certain whether it has been lost in the senate, but I understand it has been loaded with amendments to such an extent that its friends do not desire it to pass. Nevertheless, the popular branch of the Legislature, representing immediately the people of my State, has acted on the proposition, and passed the bill to which I have referred. What does this bill propose? In the 1st place, it provides that the resident shall zip point engineers who shall go n on the ground and make surveys and report their views, and upon those surveys and facts so reported he shall locate the route of this ship canal. I may say there are several routes spoken of as desirable for the construction of this canal. The President is to locate the route after these surveys which will best secure the greatest benefit to the commercial interests of the country, and at the same time the greatest naval and military advantages. It provides further for a commission which shall take into consideration the advantages derived from such a work and adust the dam ages. The commissioners are to car all cases that arise and settle them upon their merits. After the route is thus selected the President is authorized to contract with any company that may be incorporated by on State, or organized in any State in NewYork no more than any other State for the construction of this work on the plan rescribed in the bill. It further provides that this company shall proceed at a certain time with this work, and shall complete it within a given time, and that the Government shall loan ends to the amount of $6,000,000 in aid of the construction of this work. The company is, however, to pay all the expense for survey and damages as sessed up to the beginning of this wor; but as fast as the company expends $300,000, upon the certificate of the engineers the government is to issue $200,000 of bonds, and so on for every additional $300,000 expended, until the whole $6,000,000 of bonds are exhausted. It further provides that 10%. of all the tolls received from this canal after paying the excases and keeping up the repairs, is to be paid into the Treasury of the U.S., on the 1st of January in each year, to reim burse the Government for the money thus loaned and I may so here that the Government, in consideration of this, is to have control, so far as its own use is concerned, in all time to come, of this canal. It is to have the supervision also with reference to its being kept in good condition during the whole time it may be in possession of the company. It further provides that the Government may at any time purchase this canal by paying to the company what it has expended in its construction, and in addition thereto 10%. on the actual cost of the canal, and take possession of it itself. This is what the bill proposes. As I said before. this is a work of great national importance. There is now already a canal upon the Canada side, called the Welland canal, connecting the lakes. But 3/4ths of all the shippingIof the upperlakes is American ship in. this American enterprise which has uiR the Welland canal, and which keeps it up; and if we do not have a canal of our own on our own side there will soon be an enlargement of that canal, for measures are already taken to secure it, so as to accommodate the largest vessels that float on our lakes. It is therefore a question whether we are to have the benefit of this great work, or whether Canada shall have it.