The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1847-11-12

LIST oil september, IT has cost from 80 10 LOG
cents per square yard. Does this evince
sound Judgment
In the month Of July last the iaborers en-
ployed on the above division struck for
higher wages, and other reasons. After the
whole work had been suspended for three
weeks, felt it my duty to call on the
engineer, to induce him to adopt some
measures that would influence the men 10
resume their labors ! proposed that shil-
linGs day had better be paid than to suf-
Ter this disruption in the work, knowing as
! did. and the laborers, also, that during the
months Of July and August last wear. The
contractors had paid 1925 per day. This
he refused-said the work might stop-and
that he would hire the men in the winter
at 70 cents per day. The wisdom of this
decision leave TO those who are familiar
with the nature Of such work, and to max G
the calculation how much could be saved
by waiting I'LL winter, (ii men could even
then be procured at 75) to work in water.
during short days and cold weather, would
be over shilings per day in July and Au-
gust.
Feeling unwilling to have the work sus-
pended. II met the men on the Summit level.
missing that | would send on their petition
to my colleagues. Though they went to
work. they were not satisfied; and more
than 200 have since left for the works in
Michigan and Indiana.
Oh the resignation of one of the slIperin-
tondcnts, desired the engineer to appoint
an CID conractor-a worthy man-who had
employed many Of the same men, and had
much influence over them. This reasonable
request he abruptly rcfused but whether
with the view TO give the place 10 the fore
man OF his brother-in-law, who now fills il.
| leave without comment.
Before going TO Europe TO nccoC late for
funds the engineer did state TO me thst the
canal could be finished in Is months. and at
farbcst years.
l regret to state that the engineer has
been in the habit Of borrowing large sums
OF money from the contractors. This is not
calculated to increase his independence:
ana when state further that his brother
and brother-in-law are the largest ccntrac-
tors on the whole work. submit it to the
sound judgment of my associate trustees
ana consulting b0ndholdors. whether this
Condition OF things shall be continued.
W hen visited this city in company with
my associates, Capt. Swift and Mr.. Lea
Wit, in May last, the engnecrsent on hand.
DIS, calling for 800 laborers. 10 meet as
l supposed his wishes. made arrangements
at Buffalo and sent on from 100 to $50 men.
lheSe men were met 10y the reply that there
was no work ready for them, nor would
there be any for three weeks. These men
returned TO Buffalo, and their statements
soon destroyed all confidence among the
laborers IN the promises contained in the
handful OF the engineer.
refrain from saying anything about the
general dissatisfaction existing in tue state.
here is III my judgment cause for this dis
That the true interests Ct the
state and bondholders, and that a faithful
discharge Of duty on our part. require the
prompt removal OF the present chief Cngin-
lIecr. have 10 earthly doubt, and there
tore, recommend it.
his general and wcll-foundcd dissatis.
faction OF the public in Illinois. above allu- .
lcd to, has unfortunately been STRENGTHENED
ny the course pursued by my colleague Mr.. /.
lcaVltt. W hen In the city about II months |.
since, endeavored to convince him that
me interests OF the boEdhOlders required /
mat the same engineers who had 20 long
delayed the completion Of the canal. should /
not be employed 10 control the work under
ne trustees. ] urged this on the ground /
hat II was for the interest of the bondhoM- |
Frs TO conciIate the people of the state and .
The legislature, knowing as did and all
must KNOW, that the bondholders must look
to that quarter alone, for all they have 10
nope Tor in the way of taxes and other mca-
'uros OF relief know that the re- appoint
nent OF the old engineers could not be IA
'orabie TO this desired object; on the con-
rary, that it must injure it. To all this, my
colleague, Mr.. Leovitt. replied. ''that he
It'd not care for the people of I!linoiSc or its
legislature that they were made up of a
larcel OF demogogues and further. 'Ethat
he power to control the canal was in their
meaning the trustees hands, and that they
would conduct it as they thought proper.
cgardlcSS Of the people or the leciSlaturc.':
ASto the delay of the work. aud the eau.
es for such dclay,I will say word. II
lGS been accounted for by the alleged sick
less on the line of the work in 1913. Ills
rue that there were many sick ca the line.
Turing that year; but it is not true that ali
we're sick, or that sickness was the main
auSc OF delay. The main cause was this
ne money designed for ,Le work could no,
&c got as it was needed. Estimates were
made up only once in so days, instead of
monthly, rs at present. Then another
month, and sometimes more is lost in send
nS the account 10 be passed on by Capt.
witt: thus making from to 5months be-
ore the contractor of small means. could
et anything with which to pay his labor
rs, unless he gave them orders for goods al
lr. llardy's (brober-in-la law of the chief
nglneer) store, where, | believe, t..;vi.
ould always get accommodation. The con-
actors often paid II per cent. for money.
'hlc Hardy made his profit Off their labor.
RS. This policy, more than sickness, drove
9th men and contractors from the works.
lille at the same time, and ut all times,
1ere has been money on deposi,e with my
olleaguc, at 3 per cent. interest.
All of which is respectfully submitted.
CIlAS. OAKLEY.
State Trustee for |. < NJ. C.
',py III " I,,,rI G. D,,.y