New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1852-03-16

&c.
~ Still later news from California by
the San Juan and Panama routes. Nearly two
millions of Gold by the Daniel Webster and
Ell Dorado. The details of the wreck of the
Gen. Warren and other vessels plying between
the Columbia River and San Francisco, will he
read with melancholy interest.
u The Majority and the Minority of the
Legislative Committee appointed to over.
haul the Canal Lettings, have each made
their reports. Of course, these documents
differ in some respects, but they agree in
the opinion that the contracts, as they stand,
are not only legally valid to the contractors,
but are advantageous to the State, and
ought to be sustained and executed. They
agree in saying that no proof of fraud, or
even of an abuse of official discretion on
the part of the State officers making the
contracts, has been adduced in the whole
Of the v0luminous testimony. The MAORI
ty report also states that no further legisla-
ton is needed IN the matter, except it be
to compel certain officers having charge of
the public works, and their subordinates, to
do their duty as already prescribed by law.
We presume the essential features of these
reports will be found to embody the views
of the majority Of the Legislature, and that
the matter will thus be finally disposed of.
n We have already noticed the share
Of Attorney General CHATFIELD in the re.
cent Canal Lettings, as revealed by his own
and other testimony before the Legislative
Committee. but his peculiar genius shines
60 conspicuously forth in those transactions
that we may be pardoned for again referring
to him in historical way. 1t seems that
his first action was to propose in the Canal
Board that no bid should be entertained
which was less than the estimates by more
than ten per cent, nor any that exceeded
them by more than ten per cent. This was
an illustration of his faith in the Democratic
doctrine of giving the work to the lowest
bidders. Next he got up schedule or
slate" where the allstmeAts were ar
ranged according to his mind. and that
of his friends, Lieut.. Gov. CHURCH, Mr..
Treasurer Hunt, Mr.. Controller FULLER
and Mr.. Commissioner Cook the last two
gentlemen being Wings, butresigaing them
selves for the time being to the Cireean en-
braces Of Mr.. CHArFIrLD This beautiful
estate" proposed to give out the con-
tracts at rates making the aggregate
cost to the State almost half million more
than they were finally given out fer. How
ever, 0hATFIKLD was foiled in this nice
little grab, and after hot contest in the
Canal Board the business was relocated to
the Letting Board. That Board finally
made the existing awards.
But 90 bitter was Mr.. CHArrrRLD's
disappointment at the failure Of his
"slate," and Of all his generous efforts
in behalf Of George Law d Co., that
he made speech in the Canal Board,
to the purport, as he states in his testimony,
that no right-,hinking man could approve Of
these awards, and that he should feel him.
self called on to apply for relief on the
ground Of the unconssitutionality fthe law.
However, when the details ofthe awards
we're read in the Board this anger cooled
down, and he admitted that 40 FIVE men
could have made them better. This ap-
prevail OF CHArFIELD's inclines us strongly
u the belief that there was some rasc.li.y
in the lettings. At any rate if there was
none, the public, in view Of the above facts,
win easily perceive that it was not the fault
ofAr. CHATPIRLD.
I'VE much regret that aimee the an
peazancs Of this testimony the constant
pressure Of news has rendered y impossibis
for The Evening Post to utter it, judgment
on the business. Considering the previous