Because steam has been encouraged by the Legislature, heralded by the
press, and favorably reported by the Executive officers of the State as a
standard of advancement most desirable to attain, _a supposition very
generally prevails outside of canal men that it will succeed_.
As early as 1845, before the enlargements, three steamers were built and
tried, and one, the _Pioneer_, ran from New York to Oswego in five days,
total time, 362 miles; and _then "supposition very generally prevailed that
steam would succeed_." But light freights would not pay then as against
full horse-freights; neither would they pay from 1858 to 1862; neither have
they paid in 1872, as against horses.
A large part of the boats own and carry their horses, two teams (four
horses), alternating the teams from boat to tow-path every six hours. Many
desire to see the hardships, cruelties and dangers to horses obviated. It
is said that one company during the war, when most of the best drivers
turned soldiers, lost as many horses during the season as they put on for
all their boats in the spring; that is, they had to purchase a complete
equipment to make good their losses.
Some humane captains tow by the "lines" to avoid suffering and dangers to
horses, many of which are drowned, and many left by the wayside. When
changed from tow-path to stable, a stout man must hold the horse by the
tail as he descends the steps into the stable, to prevent his pitching
against the opposite side; and he holds with greater difficulty as he
descends the bridge from the high, light boat to the tow-path, which is
often more dangerous than the stable descent.
Others tow by the "lines"--take turns for teams, often with tedious
delays--and they are, to a great extent, _subservient to the drivers_, else
they suffer by their indifference, laziness or caprices, and many are sure
to do their "poorest," unless they are feed extra.
All would be charmed with towage by steam, if done with economy, dispatch,
regularity and safety; but quite another feeling prevails under the
suggestions of changing drivers for engineers, stables for engine-rooms,
horses for machinery, and light cargos for full ones, as in case of
converting the horse-boat to a steamer.
Steam, as used for towing purposes, would be acceptable and subservient to
the several thousand boatmen constantly in service.
If we give to the automaton system of steam _any privileges_ over
horse-boats--excepting for incidental initiatory encouragement to steam--we
have a war of the many against the few. In the former era the double toll
system was obliged to be suspended, and the no-toll system of this era is
only a temporary sufferance.
Therefore, steam must stand or fall by its own merits, and should be
fostered and developed until horses possess no competitive ability.