New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1851-11-04
l. yIr. cAipinc Fit for state Engineer
The following appears in The albany
Erening Journal, of yesterday

The following appears IN The albany
Erenng Journal, of yesterday
To II, Editors offse Erenaq Journal.
GENTLEMEN In a card published IN The Arglas Of
this morning. WV ]. McALFrNg, Esq. remarks upon
my letter 70 GEO. WooD, Esq. as follows al have
noted that he has with studied effort to avoid per
sonal responsibility alluded to certain base and ma.
hcious assaults recently made on me by The Albany
Ersnlng Journal | am sorry that Mr. McAlpne
has suffered his temper so far 10 mislead his udg
ment In giving such construction TO an ooserva-
ton which think will appear 10 every dspassion'
ate person acquainted with the circumstances, T.
have been at least very forbearing | have no per
.onsl animosty against Mr.. McAlpine, and seek no
controversy with him. The question IS one OF pub
lie interest affecting his qualifications tor the Office
of State Engineer, for which he IS candidate, and
his challenge compelS me either 20 AcQuiesce IN his
claims to public confidence By my silence, and, At
the same time, to admit the unworthy motive which
he attributes to me- or to assume the responsibility
which he desires therefore say, that the evidence
adduced IT the published reports OF the Committee
of the Common Council Of this city. IN relation 70
Mr.. McAlpines conduct as Engineer Of the city
Works makes out "A 'priNa fdaia case, sho Slng that
public confidence cannot be safely reposed IN him as
Site Engineer and that neither his own denlals IN
his pruted Tense nor his action for libel against
the publishers of these reports, sufficient, IN my
,udeueut. 20 overcome tina. evidence. You are au
,ho,zed 10 hand the original OF this communication
IN nv handwriting to Mr.. McAlpne, or his counsel
on his request JOHN = SPENCER
Albany, Nor. 2, 1851.
In addition to the above we last esening re-
ceiyed the following by Morse's Telegraph:
had not intended to notice that part of Mr.. Nc
Apire's card which afirms that the general plans and
specifications which Mr.. Spencer alleges he (NicM-
pnel would after he was elected, cApuclously alter
we're prepared several years since Principally by
him Nc Alpne) and the various though slight mod
jGcatlons IN their details which have since been
made are in accordance with his views. having been
consulted thereon But since writing the foregoing
nv attention has been called " report OF The Canal
Commissioners IN answer to resolution OF the SEN
ate OF February 2s 1912. Senate document OF thai
wear, No. so This report exhibits the plan Tor the
enhancement adopted in 1898, TO which Mr. McAlPlne
wasa party, and the plan adopted M 1913 10 "h'cn
be was not a party and with which he had no con-
cern. but which Vas suggested ~ Commissioner
Beach.
TINS Is the improved plan 10 which refer Ihe
differences between them are pa'pable and Of the
greatest importance. Ivy me pan INST d1opltu,
(Which was Mr. McAipines,) for the work Of the
Canal the width between the tops Of the banks was
Al feet At the surface OF the water - feet, and a!
the bottom Of the canal % feet By the plan OF Mr.
Beach, the width between the tops Of the banks Is
3 feet at the surface Of the water 20 feet and Al the
bottom Of the Canal 81 feet. Thus plan increases
the capacity Of the Canal for transportation nearly
one.thrd, and renders the navigation easier and
more safe From the same report u appears tina!
Mr.. McAlplne had inserted . large level a. the bot
tom of the lock-wall, which was changed by the new
plan OF 1915. and the level omitted. The conse
quence Of thIs change was 70 Increase The capacity
Of the chambers 50 As to admit boat OF size %
carry tuns burden more than could De received
into MI McAlpine's lock Of 1925
From tins It Viii appear tina. Mr. McAlplne's mem
ory has entirely failed HIM in these important mat
ters learn, also that his plans Of bridges have all
been abandoned, and all the other mechanical struc
lures have been materially changed. The public
will now be able to Judge Of the accuracy Of Mr..
McAlpine's memory, and Of the reliance 10 be plac-
ed. on his statement ]. C. SPENCER
4Ibanu, Non 3, 1851