New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1859-02-04

The last Legislature adjourned after disagreement
between the Senate and Assembly as TO the minor de-
tails Of bill upon the general principle OF which there
was no difference OF opinion, py Whlon means WEI
provided the amount of three millions eight hund1ed
thousand dollars for paying for work done On the
canas and for lands and buildings Of individuals taken
in their construction and also for the works
TO completion. o.o
The only provision made by the Legislature Of 1853
for sustaining or prosecuting the pubic works was The
oct which they passed the lon of April directing
the Canal Auditor to pay interest al Elk per cent per
apIum for a period not exceeding year, ION all
Canal Commissioners drafts drawn upon contracts
for the enlargement and completion OF toe canals OF
80 this State the interest to commence on drafts for
"mopthly estimates the twenty first day of the
month succeeding that In winch the WORK was
done, aud also on all Canal Commissioners drafts
drawn for the payment Of awards made by the Canal
Appraisers, the interest to commence at the expra,
" ton Of ninety days from the date OF the award and
also " on all Canal Commissioners drafts upon mai
estimates on contracts for the enlargement and COM
"pletion OF the canals" the interest to be computed
on such drafts from the date thereof and also on all
awards made by the Canal Board or Board of Canal
Commissioners, the interest 10 commence sixty
days from the date Of the award
The law further provided that no interest shoui be
paid any such drafts awards drawn or made after
the first of July, 1888 except upon drafts drawn or
final estimates Tor work completed prior 10 that date
The fact was perfectly well known TO the Legisls-
ture and throughout the State that large amount OF
work had been dene the contracts then subsistng
Tor the prosecution OF the canals beyond the means
then provided; and also that 3 further amount was
due and bad bee Justly owing for several years 10 the
Of lands and buildings which had been taken
for public The Legislature of 1885 80 far from
censurng any of the officers OF the State for per-
uniting such claims 20 accrue gave them all the sane
ton and afforded to the holders all the facilities in
their power by providing for paying the interest as
above stated Their act, 50 far from directing the
work on the canals TO be stopped, or ntimatng the
necessity or proprey of doing go, by the paines i'm
phcaiion encouraged and directed their prosecution al
least until the let Of July thereafter Tue Legislature
evidently INDUCED the belief that their successors
would make such provision for the contractors ana
claimants should be Just and equitable, and legally
within their legislative authority, either by tax, OF
lean, or al amendment Of the Consultation.
By the report Of the State Engineer, presented TO
the present Legislature appears that three hundred
anc one contracts were in existence during the last
year; that one hundred and sxty-six have been CON-
pleted and settled and that hundred ard thirty
i've are yet existing.
The act evidently left the option open any conrac
tor either 10 proceed with his work and take the drafts
ofthe Canal Commissioner certifying the amount, or to
apply 10 the Canal Board 10 Cspcel his contract Snd
demand liquidation of the amount then due. Twenty
eight Of the number took the latter course aud their
contracts were Cancelled accordingly. No sctlon was
ever taken by the Canal Board ~ require any con-
tractor TO do so still less 81 induce or advice the Canal
Commissioners 10 stop the work; the contrary, the
Canal Board in October last, with the assent and
oy the vote Of tire Controller, expressly author
neo The Commissioner IN charge Of the Oswego
Cans 10 put some additional work under contract and
IN december last, the motion Of the Contr ,er after
having directed contract to be cancelled, actually
rescindeo Their resolution, and thereby permitted the
contractor TO proceed with his work. In truth the
cancellation Of the contracts until very recently
seemed TO meet with little favor from any Quarter
and was openly and earnestly condemned as evincing
an unfrendy ieehng toward the enlargement by lead.
ing public Journals, that have since expressed the
opinion that the Canal Commissioners ought at once
10 have stopped every portion of the work wholly
without regard consequet and that their oms.
sion to do 50, public offence Of the gravest char.
Acter calling for the severest punishment.
On the first Of JAY last large number Of these