to this end, all interests pertaining
to the immediate elevation of canals, to the benefits of steam, should
co-operate.

To encourage invention to utilize the steam is of paramount importance,
because the other "_necessities_" will then be met, and they need no
legislation, for common business talent will supply their demands.

The MECHANICAL NECESSITIES of our canals are greater than pertain to any
possibilities by the old systems of propulsion. _It is not sufficient for
steam to barely or doubtfully compete with horses, it should supersede them
with the same superiorities and same universality_ that it has on
railways.

Where steam is mechanically adapted to its uses, horses bear no comparison
to its economies; hence, give steam its required mechanical adaptation to
canals, and horses must be abandoned.

The enthusiasm of 1872, in regard to steam, is less than in 1858, but there
is a deep feeling of necessity for steam permeating the community, and it
should be encouraged and directed in the proper channel, for the anxieties
of 1858 _foundered on incompetent mechanism_, and the anxieties of 1872
_are in the same impassable channel_.

* * * * *

The Governor's Message of 1873 renews the scheme which was prominently
before the Legislature a few years since, which was to lengthen one tier of
locks by gates of different construction, and so as to receive longer boats
of present width; yet a single thought will show that _this will not help
steam_; for the insatiable desire for maximum cargo will put the _Bull
Head_ boat into the long locks, just as it has into the present locks, and
sharp steamers cannot compete with it.

It is proper to observe that such lengthening of _one tier_ will first:
coerce present boatman to sacrifice their property, which with boats and
equipments, exceeds a valuation of twenty million dollars, or else cut the
boats into two parts, and lengthen them (and strengthen their sides and
"back-bones") to the full capabilities of the lengthened locks; for the
short boats cannot compete with the long ones.

Then, when the mass are altered, they will coerce the State to alter the
second tier, because it becomes worthless and inoperative, and because the
one tier becomes incapable of passing so great a multitude of boats, and it
would otherwise greatly reduce the carrying capacity of the canals.

The State is sure to complete the removal of the "benches" on the re