The Columbia Democrat. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1837-1850, 1839-07-20

charges against the board of canal COM
missionsers, their superintendents and
engineers.
That they, soon after them appointment
gave notice TO the petitioners, as we'll as TO
the canal commissioners, that they were
ready to proceed with the investigation,
and to hear such testimony as might be Of
fered in proof, or disproof Of the charges
contained in the petition. The petitioners
as well as the canal commissioners, attended
several primary meetings of the committee.
After the committee had commenced the eX-
animation Of witnesses, the petitioners ad-
dressed a communication to the committee,
declining to appear before them or TO offer
anv testimony in support OF the charges
which they had preferred in their petition.
The committee deeming the charges of
so grave and serious character that, If true,
| they imperiouslv called upon the legislature
10 correct the abuse and relieve oppression
complained of, and that Justice to the pub
| lie officers, against whom such serious ac-
cusations had been made, as well as 10 the
Ipetitioners, demanded that the truth or falsi-
tv should be clearly established, resolved to
proceed with the investigation, in order that
the house might be properly informed upon
| the subject, and be enabled to act under
standingly upon it. This course was earn
estly requested by the canal commissioners
that they might be afforded an opportunity
of yindicating themselves and their officers
from the grave charges which had been
made againstthem, affecting their character as
public officers, as well as calling inquestion
their moral integrity, and that the petition
ers might also have a full and fair opportu-
nity Of subsianliating their charges if true.
The committee accordingly proceeded in
the investigation, and devoted 10 il IS much
time and attention as their other official du-
ties would permit
Fifteen of the petitioners appeared in o.
bedience TO subpoena, and were examined,
a2.F,tc,, ,a%EssGs,ssa- 6ass mere also sub
peif,c.s MI, -r'e .".ss T-s;' Gf ri51s Who att
ded and cross examined the witnesses. A
fnlI and fair opportunity was afforded the
petitioners, and to all interested, to adduce
evidence in proof or disproof Of the char
= oes. The committee did not bring :hs inves-
tlga.ion TO a close until the end Of last week,
and from the volunnious nature OF The evil
dence taken, and the short time necessarily
allowed them FOR its examination, the ses-
sion Of the legislature being near its close,
they are prevented from presenting min
ute and detailed report, but will merely of
fer few brief remarks upon the charges,
. and the evidence adduced in support of
them.
J The first charge contained in the petition
, is, that, " Since the pregen. board of canal
d" commissioners have come into Office, their
" engineers have refused for a vexatious
.'leugth of time, TO stake out work, and on
"maay sections stili refuse"
II appears from the testimony. that the
principal engineers upon the North and
West branches, repaired to their respective
posts rs soon as practicable, after they had
been inrnrmed OF their appointment and i'm
= mediatoly up thoir arrival, formed their
2 corps of assistant engineers and su6ordn-
a,es and proceeded without delay to per-
= form the duties enioined upon them by res
. olution Of the board of canal commission
= ers, of the 10Th Of March, 1899. This
+ resolution embraces a variety OF subjects IN
relation 10 the state Of the work, completed
c or in progress, to be euquired into by the
3 superntenden,s ana engineers, duu lepoL-
r ted to the board. and required their whole
' time and attention for several weeks after
= they arrived OH heir respective divisions.
e Mr.. Foster. the principal engineer upon the
: North and West branch, did not receive the
It notification Of his appointment until the 2lst
e Of March, on account Of the failure OF
y the mails, and was at the time in the state
e Of Kentucky. He FASTENED with all possible
b. despatch to his division, Immediately after
r he received the notice, and arrived at To-
e wanda on the 9th Of April, and was indus
a triously and unremttingy engaged, together
: with his corps, in the discharge of his ofli-
L cial duties. No evidence was given TO sus-
G tain this charge in the petition, but on the
Il contrary, number Of contractors proved
+ that the engineers always expressed VIII
Ilingness to stake out work, but IN some IN
G stances were prevented from dong SO im-
IS mediatelv bv the multiplicity OF their OH,
,, cial engagements, and the great amoont OF
n labor which they were required TO perform.
& Some time naturally and necessarily elapsed
between the departure Of the engineers and