New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1857-09-18
THE ERIE CANAL-SHALL 1T BE SOLD

To the Editor Of The n. y. I'touTe
SIR: My question opens wide field, and IN
tended only TO occupy SO much OF as necessary Tor
the purpose avowed in my last number, aud, if
should write another to take brief notice Of some of
the frauds of contractors, the ncompetency and IA
yortism of engineers and the disregard Of duties and
perhaps vepaity of some officers nominally in higher
sutholy intending 10 avoid personal designation, and
strike ory at corrupt careless practices that had
become general.
Bot am diverted from my purpose by the acton OF
the Hare and Softs at the late getting together at
Syracuse baye not seen their resolutions and prob
ally shall Lot spend mach time upon their pie-crust
when co; but know Of their intention 10 profit as
much as possible by clamor about the policy that
their own extravaganza has contributed to make ne
cessary for the Republican party and do BOT regret
the evidence of nsincerity they have furnished by the
romir alton Of SANFORD f. CHURCH FOR CONTROLLER.
Fortunately, he is upon record As presiding officer
ard an influential member of the Cana Board while
Lieut. Governor be furnished sample OF Official
morals which the people compare with the neces-
siies of the preeent time.
CHURCH UPON HARrPAS AND QUIcKsAND.
The investigation of the Committee of 1916 disclosed
series Of frauds ana collisions of contractors and
erg1eers in classifying materials. BY the contracts,
common earth was paid for at price, hardpan and
Guicksand al another and the wand Of the engineer
turned the one into the other Detection was difficult
or impossible.
Earth was classified ard paid for as quicksaud and
then allowed TO 20 into embankments, and paid for
again From ore 20 seven dollars per yard had been
rcluded in contracts for quicksand. The Canal board
abolished this classification and for time this cheat
was stopped.
Preparatory 70 letting the contracts under the Nine
Million BILL the State Epgiceer wanted to restore the
cd classification Of earth; his Wing associates in the
Board opposed his wish, ard he then bargained with
the Democratic membera four of whom, Gov. CHURCH
il cudtd voted for the restoration and carried II,
aesnst The vote of the four Wing members.
This was the commencement of the coalition be-
tween the State Er gneer and his political opponents,
which was ended by his sudden deser.ion Of the du-
ties of the station TO which he had been elected.
John H. Clark the experier ced aud honest Engineer,
testified 10 bis belief that the expenses of the enlarge
uert would be increased THREE MILLIONS BY this r@-
toration. Chuchs vote made the one majority by
which tlat measure was carried.
CHURCH AT THE MINI MILLION LETTINGS.
The Caral Board was composed Of four Wings, four
Democrats and quick sand Engineer, elected by the
Wigs. Upon getting the proposals for the immense
smour Of work to be let the four Democrats and the
Ergireer vert into caucus, made schedule OF the
sections and work Of the western division, and after
settirg IT to George Law eleven heavy sections,
smountrg TO over million and half dollars, they
divided the residue among Themselves, and agreed 10
rofe ii hrovcb.
Each of the five oontederates affixed his initials to
the section. be was to dispose of TO such friend or
fsvorite or customer az he chose.
The schedule was made and presented TO the Board,
but Church backed out for in the mean time, he had
united with another combination Of three Wings aud
two Den ocrats for alottng the contracts upon al the
divisions ard could do better than TO fulfill bis pom
ise TO his Democratic associates and the Engineer.
liz the open Board, Church was the advocate OF
givr the contracts to the lowest bidder-he offered
such reoution fortunately, bic action in the secret
crncaves was brought to light by an investigating
Committee There, it was so arranged that he couid
give tie sections marked " c. TO whom he chose
among the bidders. He had friend named l.. A. g.
B. Grant, who was bidder By the first scneau''
lie was TO have section at s78 100 there were nine-
teen bids below Grants, varying from $o,4oo 10
$50 1903 20 coo might have been sayed 10 the state
by giving the contract TO the lowest one 30 10
ereser or less txtert were all liz aotmeLts upon the
Grst schedule, iumcltshzed as scheduie u com
ne ed a.refd to- ard preseLttd to the Board to
be voted through Dv Tue uNe, uul SIu4cn "o' n'H'
No q, lie section could his powers con6ne,
He mu,t have dip in ell song tie line
Ard 20 he went over to, or got up another set Of
four us mbe,s who mttin the parlor Of that mmacu-
ate uuritsn Democrat Peter Cagger. Here az entire
allotment was sgresd to; Grant given two sections
ps'ta Of one and all Churchs and other friends well
esed fcr ard The thing pIeaeDted to the Board to be
voted through. But the two Democrats who had
heen deserted ads parliamentary fight, raised ques'
tons of order moved to adjourn &C., until another
man backed ard left Church in the same position
he bad left bis first confederates.
Ultimately an allotment was made half million
below the one Church adhered TO 10 TIE last and ne
then joined in the csmor that rang from ore enc OF
the State to The ether about the frauds OF the caha'
le,.irys ard in course Of time has become standsfd'
bearer OF the frssueltay COS. which is 10 MAKE va
upon TIE policy Of Lew party which aims 81 con
peon Of the VI fmst ed works in ar honest ana ecu