The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1852-03-31
New York.
ALBANY. March q

New York.
ALBANY, March 80, 1852
The House Of assembly demanding Comp
trO2r Wright Guarding the Treaswy--Mr.
Congo'S Canal BW-M Cushiag's Dec'dratory
-fct, and probable ultimate passage-QinstiOa of
roacity beftrcea ChatGetd and Chamberlain.
Another fare-up about appropriations. The LIE
gisature being in want Of funds, placed few items
in bill, amounting to several thousand dollars, call
ing it bill for the support of government in part,
and run it through both houses The moment it
received the Governors sanction, the clerk of the
House of Assembly fastened over to the Comp
toer's Office with copy of the items, for which he
wanted funds Among others, was one requiring
the sum Of three thousand five hundred dollars,
$3,5O0) pay for the purchase of books which had
been ordered by resolutions of the House. Mr..
Wright, the Comptroller, with his usual scrutiny,
examined the act just passed, when he discovered
that it contained clause, that the following sums
much thereof as authorized by law, are APP
propriated" sc. He accordingly dispatched a note
to the clerk the House, respectfully declining to
recognise the right of the Legislature to compel him
to advance funds, otherwise than under provisions
of law He thus peremptorily refused to pay for
few years past, it has been the uniform
practice Of every legislature, and even for each
house, to furnish its members, officers reporters,
messenger boys, and all, with copies of certain
books. This year the same resolutions passed the
House, furnishing each one with copy of the Con-
stitutonal Debates of 1896 and a copy Of the last
edition of the Revised Statutes, making in ALL four
large costly volumes, amounting in expense to the
snug sum of $500 The ground upon which the
Comptroller refuses to pay this sum, is, because
there is no law authorizing him to do SO; and also
upon the ground that the books are intended for
the individual use and benefit of the persons reoev-
ing them, and not to be placed in the Library for
the benefit OF future legislators The members OF
the last house voted themselves books also; but in
many instances they proved utterly worthless to
them, as they were incomprehensble to them, and
they went to the bookstores and exchanged them
for such literary gems "M0ther Goose and
"Cock Robin" a species Of literature more easily
comprehended than the speeches Of Rugglcs, Tall
madge. Jordan, Hoffman, O'Conor Cambrelling.
and others in the Constitutional Convention or the
Revised Statutes, as compiled by Spencer and But
Ter. The books have been furnished by the printers
and booksellers, upon the credit of resolution, and
not yet paid for; will they be, unless special law
is enacted; and that is not very probable, as the
Senate holds a check upon this species of waseful-
of the public money.
The bill introduced by Mr.. Conger, to complete
the unfinished canals, is open, honest and undis
gused measure. He proposes to submit the ques
ton to the people at the next general election,
whether majority will be in favor Of authorizing
pose, and allowing themselves to be taxed, as the
constitution provides for the payment of the inte-
rest He has been induced to present this PROPOSE
ton because he believes that great frauds have been
perpetrated from the first inception of the Canal
bill, during its progress through the last Legislature
and in subsequent action by the Canal Board in the
manner Of awarding contracts. After all the mi
guilty, viainy, political profigacy, moral degrada-
ton, and counterswearing which has been deve-
loped the great mass of the honest people would
undoubtedly rejoice in having the opportunity af
forded them of voting directly upon law under
which the public works could be completed in ac-
cOrdance with the principles of justice and the pro-
visions Of the constitution.
But Mr.. Conger's bill cannot be enacted into law
at the present session. Although nne-tenths of the
Legislature no doubt believe that the most corrupt
course has been pursued in the lettings-although
they may be convinced that the State has been swim
died out of their millions in the ofmaking the
contracts-athough it may be apparent to them all,
that the canals will never be completed under the pre-
sent law; nevertheless majority cannot be obtained
in the House, and perhaps not in the Senate, to
march square up to Mr.. Conger's bill and adopt it.
The powerful lobby, which holds the Legislature in
its hand, are now in attendance, and daily occupy
ing the seats of members debating, advising, aye,
threatening the use of their power if any infrac-
ton Of the law, any alteration Of the contracts,
are permitted. Mr.. c. is unquestionably aware of
all this. STILL he will persevere in his audable eff
forts and present his views upon the Importance Of
his project, which he is abundantly qualified to do,
to the Legislature and the people Of this State. 1t
may be that Mr.. Babcock and Mr.. Beekman will
lend laboYing oar, as their silver gray friends
throughout the State are now as clamorOus against
the Canal bill as they were anxious for it before
the lettings transpired. Should those two Senators
burst the Seward chains which held them to the bill
during the last session. some hopes might be enter
tanned Of carrying Mr.. Conger's bill through the
Senate; but such maginings are very feeble and ex-
tremey faint.
The debate in the House very plainly foreshadows
the final result. The wings keep shady; while the
democrats harangue the House. The bill intro
duced by Mr. Gushing, democrat from Tompkins, as
of the investigating committee, will ultimately be
adopted Its main provisions declare that the canal
contract lettings are lega--that the auditor of the
Canal Department be forthwith compelled to file the
contracts in his office, and proceed. with all possible
Dispatch in paying all drafts made upon him by the
Canal Commissioners. He will then be compelled
to do by law that which he has heretofore refused,
and which has created much excitement and disap-
pointment. He will not, however, resign, as was
predicted some days since
Calvin 7. Chamberlain, of Cuba, Allegany coun-
ty. who accuses Attorney General Chattield OF
swearing enormously before the Canal Committee,
is here, Chatfed's affidavit contains the assertion
that Chamberlain, some time in December last,
offered TO drop thousand dollar bill in his (Chat-
felds) path, provided canal contract could there
by be obtained. Chamberlain presented memorial
TO the Senate denying the charge, and asking that
his testimony may be taken by the committee, con-
tradicting Chatiield. The matter remains the
table OF the Senate, Notwithstanding several efforts
made by Senator Bristol to take action upon it.
Gen. Chamberlain is u highly respectable citizen,
although a canal contractor-having frequently
represented the people Of his region of country the
Assembly, Senate, and the constitutional conven-
ton Of il 49,
Massachusetts.
CAMBRIDGE, Mass. March 70, 1852.
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