The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1855-11-28

Our Albany Correspsadcnce.
ALBANY, Nov. a 1866.
Repairing Canals By Contract Saving 10 ne Sote-Cop-
missioner Fiskugh Entitled 10 the Credi-Black Repxi-
cans Wanting to Fuse with I've Ba,~bxrweys-Ness Dspx-
~ Secretary Of Ssate-WAo ,oiu be Speaker, Clerks e.'
The resolution recently adopted by the Canal Commits
sioners to let out such portions Of the nails in
finished condition to contractors for repairs has caused
considerable anxiety among those who are to assume
control Of the public works the rst ofJanuary Such
anxiees and alarms needless and There
be party purpose in it, except the discharge Of
host of lazy canal Office holders The Comm ssioners
that such sections will be offered to contractors
in finished condition. There are such sections
certainly the eastern division Of the Erie Canal
tending from Albany to the Oneida Lake Canal distance
Of 13C miles, except the first section 13 miles In length
the Erie, and three miles Of the ChAmplain Ca
nal which is in the hands Of repair contractors;
and believe finished portions Of the middle DIVISION
from Oneida Lake canal TO the east line Of Wayne county
81 miles, except section No near Syracuse, distance
of IL miles, which put under repair contract in 1854
On the western division there not single section COM
plee, to within the scope of the resolution Of
the Canal Commissioners. So it will be perceived that
contracts for keeping the canals in navgable condition
only to and include the Black River and other
lateral canals The unfinished portion OF the Erie cannot
be put under such contract until the enlargement shall
II Is undeniabiy true that the canal funds win be
greatly increased BY the contract method OF keeping the
canals in repair Mr.. Commissioner Fzhugh called
the attention OF the legislature officially to this subject
in an addenda the report Of the Commissioners In
January 1858. Among other reasons he urged: "fhe
canals have been so long deemed legitimate engine Of
political warfare, managed in reference to the pro-
motion OF mere party objects, that evils natu-
rally inherent in the present system Of supeda-
tendence ard repairs have been enormously multi
Piled and threaten to swallow up large portion of
their moneys This system must be radi sally changed
before these expenditures be materially Increased
The undersigned believes that this would obtained to
very great extent BY letting out the repairs Of the
eass as ssy
lett and John c. Mather did not agree with Mr.. zhugh
in these views The legislature however authorized
trial to be made and Mr.. Ftzhugh let section accord
ipgy In their annual report Of 1856 al, the Commits
sioners-Messrs. Gardner Folett and Fitzhugh-state
that the has performed satisfactorily at
price OF than forty per cent less than the average
cost heretofore. The expense Of keeping the frst
ton in repair during the season Of 1864 was over
contract for keeping this section in repair was
taken by Messrs. vernam end Sheriff. for the
sum {, th yearly has been kept
the contractors state that they of realizing
fair profit Thus the experiment has been fully tested
and their remains doubt tdat the various sections OF
all the canals will be put under contract to be kept in
repairs to the lowest bidders the canals shall
become completed. No canal board, whether Know
Nothing fusion or democratic, will hesitate to
do it.
Mr. Headlev Secretary of State elect has been in the
Leavenworth and had long interview with him. Mr.. L.
impaired Information to the duties of the oce the
manner he had conducted It, The interview was cordial
friendly and pleasing to both geutlemen-the about
retiring from the Secretaryshp and the other entering
upon its duties on the first of January.
During the early part of the week rumor busy in
assignir the Deputy Secretary. At ume G. c. Burr
was most prominent, then again +. W. Waterbury, Of
WcstcEeser, member Of the last House of Assembly,
seemed the avorite: Yesterday, however, they were
both laid ssce. and Mr.. Headley announced to few
friends that he should select NJ p Stanton J of Brock
pc. t, Monroe county. Mr.. s. wits quiet dgnAea and
highly respected member of the last House. and vod
fore be counted as a barnburner Know Nothing. The
only present clerk who remains is Morgan L. Schermer-
horn who win be instructor both to the principal the
deputy.
lures to the democrats Of the naxt House Of Assembly,
that II they will take Mr. Robinson barnburner for
Speaker then the republicavs will join and elect hi
over the Know Nothing candidate. II Ia not yet known
whether the possess the requisite strength
If they find themselves able accomplish it. there will
be fusion between the two factions which viii continue
Mr. Odell OF Livingston county is candidate for the
Speakership. He was highly respected member Of the
last House. He is known hard shell bunker Know
Nothing and If elected will doubt fill the station as
ably any other gcntlen OF that incoming body One
thing, however may be relied upon, that from the
pl xion Of the House, much turmoil and disorder will
sue and whoever sseaker must be possessed Of iron
nerve iDdomitable courage and prompt decision. The
elements will be boiserous. and the pilot at the helm
must be one who guice the ship to avoid Scyla
on ono rice, and Cbaryodis ON the other.
The applicants Clerks of the Senate and House are
not as numerous As formerly The names Of VIM H. Boz
CART and Ira Barnes both efficient clerks OF the
Senate have been announced For the House, Mr. John
= Nafew stands most prominent Indeed far known
bere Al ff information derived from various sections
OF the state, the position of Clerk universally con-
ceded 10 him. Mr.. n. Cerx in 1852 and di charped
his duties with pfomptness fidelity and mpartiality
which commended him TO the warm appreciation of the
mem beIs Of the House.