The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1852-04-07

mates:
J. Upton. Of Albany, c'stabe Mr. Dimick. late Senator
A. G.. Dandy, of Utica. Mr.. Spauldng, OF Buffalo
Gen. Nye Madison Mr.. Schoolcraft of Ably.
3ioses Hatch, Oswego Mr.. Matteson of Oneida.
S. NJ. Burroughs Orleans. MIR. Kellogg, OF Utica.
These are ssmc Of the experienced contractors, or
rather the band of political ntriguers, the of
ability" to whom contracts were awarded from
hvoritisin. and to whom the rich revenues Of the
canal have been transferred for an indefinite time to
come unless you annul these wasteful lettings Sec
500, for Sos, 400, awarded to Palmeter & VIII
liams. Why! Because the serms proposed by them
were most safe and advantageous to the State due
and the security offered p BY what right or auto-
iity could Mr.. Cook compel them to transfer the
contract to Clark & Teft for the benefit Of Spauld
ing, If the award to them was made conditional,
then il was not legal. As to the contracts of n S.
King, the affidavit of Abram Van vech,sn shows the
motive of taking in Col. Mather, not rs an equal
partner, but two-thirder. Van Fechten says:
am Acqu,intcd with the different members OF the
Canal and Letting Board supposed that combinations
must be made in order to be successful Mr. King sup
posed his chances silver gray to be very bad;
whg; had any conversation with any member Of
either board in regard to the best method of forming
combinations to insure before the final award
APP. went to Mr. Calvin E. Mather, and told him that
had interest with Mr. King in certain bids and that
if he mind to- he might have interest also there
upon Mr. King and myself executed transfer or assign
lnen Of tuohrds of joint interest in the bids in
which were interested, and of which we had the
secure Mr. Mather interest with some members of the
Board made this proposition to Mr. Mather; Mr..
ather believe brother OF one OF the
did not suggest that Mr. John G. Mather should be
spoken do know that he acquainted with
his brosherss interest never the bids in which
created have proposed to take pay sfrom indi
vusis in case they got contracts the consideration
that to exert myself In the advancement of their
propositions there were some so awarded
Van Vechten's testimony shows the corrupt
practices. the combinations, the broksring opera
lions going on during these lettings, in which it
also appears that a brother Of one OF the letting
board largely figured with his law partner, who ac-
sording to Mathers testimony, were here to aid Geo
law. and ready to take such small jobs as offered
on their individual accounts. Seth c. Hawieyis an-
other "experienced contractor editor Of the Buffalo
Morning Express His last appearance IN political
life was as codfer when his two colleagues, being
gentlemen, resigned soon as he was appointed.
Latterly this Hawey has been better known as watch
ing around the doors of the State Hall, with eager,
prOtruding eyes, tapping up the uncieaa dnppngs OF
official corruption which fell from the Canal Board.
Now he has a contract for about 100000. The in
Husnce that procured sos 81 of work for J. n
Stage, al about three per cent below the estimate,
is disclosed in Commissioner Folletts affidavit, pages
lli No
The attention of tho witness being likewise directed
SECTIONS $40 AID 3l7 awarded TO J. n Stage wtnss,
ked--
Are thesc democratic allotment
Axes both Of them.
vDo YOU know OF any other person or person. being
directly indirectly interested with DIR. Stage in Ia.
contracts on these sections
Al suppose that Mr. orson Tous!ey and John D. Lee
OF Albion orc interested with him have been informed
That my has interest in one or both Of them.
the time MIR Stage spoke to about work told him
cid friend of mine II his propositions were rght
/ felt strongly disposed to give him work Then and for
month. after my in California; he returned the
latter part OF October and after Mr. Stages propositions
had eea put in, learned, not from my or think
from slace that TO be interested with Stage
The frat opportunity got afcr this spoke to my
about IT, ana told him ii II sorry forit, not
that considered there was any wrong IN IT, as he was OF
arc nd acted for himself but that there enough in
the would od fault, and say it was wrong as was to
have something to do with the awarding OF the contracts
Hs sad he had some cenycrsaon with Mr. stage bat did
not give inc 10 understand what interest he to have in
the work told him hoped u would be none; do not
now know what interest he has, fany.
From this il appears the propositions were put in
before Mr. Foliett's son returned from California.
Now, why did Mr.. Stage give young Follett an IN
terc.t Why mention the fact to the father But.
says the Slate oiicor conscious Of the improprety
Of his sons having an interest told him : hoped
he would have no interest Why then give Mr..
Stage 80 many section ut such high prices If he
really hoped his son should have no interest, he
could easily have let this work to the numerous
lowerbdders and his hope would have been realized.
AS regards Sawn & Barnes, TO whom a section was
assigned when they did not bid. Sswin is good
canentcr but neither Of them would be selected for
qualification MS contractors There was some other
reason Cor giving them the job. Hiram +. Mills,
tCstiiics.--
her The awards were made called into The oiHcc
into tie state Hall when the contracts ON nc western
Sion engineer requested his clerk. Mr. Parker to hand
tne the proposition made by HARDWOOD and myself on the
hack %, which thefc Assignment written or section
90 NJ, Skon had previously asked Mr. Parker
whether { hal executed this assignment. Mr. Pmker
said tna had not. II ives then presented to mo hy r
Parker TO sgn. 1 asked Mr. Stison what the object
vas ic ssid the board had decided b. give this section
an our bid TO sNwin g. Barnes (or swain Btrncs aud
touescd me 70 signit di - lio ssii Il had hrcumc
'rcsssYv 10 e.vp these work t!at hs board
!, .hel Is COS I sgnri Inv aeit1psRt bt,o,a signed
,le conti sol. -D.c< NV s~,asrS V