New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1860-01-23
MIR. McQUADE'S BILL-A WORD TO THE
LOBBY.

To ne Editor Of The NJ Y. Tribune
SIN. In your report of the proceedings OF the New
York State Legislature noticed that the Hon. james
Mcouade from Oneida, had introduced bill ''to trans
fer the power Of appointment from the Contracting TO
the Canal Board" The object Of this bill Is TO repeal
sections Nos g. = s, 9, TO- IL, H. ID and ~ OF Act,
Chm IO5, entitled: " An Act to enlarge the powers
and define the duties of the Contracting Board passed
March ii, 1867. The passage Of this bill wonld not
only transfer the appointing power Of the Contracting
Board to the Canal Board but also virtually substitute
Canal Superintendent TO take charge OF the Canal re-
pairs under contract in place Of Resident Engineers a.
demanded by the laws of 1857. Undoubtedly very
few if apy of the members of the Legislature are
aware of tie ssue contemplated by the parties urging
the repeal of the power vested III the Contracting
Board Since the year 1854 the constant aim Of the
Legislature has been to abolish the once VI Iauai
SnSerinendents and transfer their duties to competent
epgineers who from practical ability IRE lar better
qualified TO advance the true Interests OF the state ~
Is well known fact. that although the length oil the
old Canal requredso be kept IN repair by suPerhlend
epts was yearly decreasing in proportion ar the length
of the Enlarged Canal increased the annual cost oil
repairs under the old system OF superlntendence
instead Of diminishing was IN many cases consd-
erbly augmented. Blythe law of 1857, 1t was specially
nroyided that the Contracting Board shall have the
pCwer and il shall be their duty TO- pense Win the
Office of Superintendent Of Repairs IN all cases where
said repairs placed under onract ana IN m o'her
leases when in their opinion, sid repairs can be more
"horoupby and economically done by placing the same
under the supervision of the Resident Engneers The
object of this law is plain: supernendents were TO
be employed on the repairs Of the Canals when the
came ere under contract the Board being positively
dreced 70 place the came under the supervision Of the
Resident Engineer. This arrangement, IN point oil
economy has operated in the most satisfactory manner
For instance. on the Middle Division Of the Canal,
where the entire repairs are in the hands Of the Eng-
neers the cost for the late fiscal year have been nearly
$3.50 600 less than during the previous year, whereas
upon the Eastern Division Of the Canal the repairs OF
which are all under contract at AN annual cost of only
ope.third the amount expended in former years, the
increase during the late fiscal year has been about
siO COO This exorbant outlay has resulted frop the
employ ment of SuperiItendens, contrary TO the law
appointing Engineers only In view OF such IN nus
tIation il seems questionable whether the state OF me
Republican party, Of which I am warm advocate
would be benefited by the substitution Of saPela'enu
ens in lieu Of capable EngineeIs. Under the old sys-
fem of superutepdence the yearly costs became 80
that various means were devised to re hO
self eyJeni that fu one half of the outlay was nndi-
eioasly aud unnecessarily appropriated Thooi'f0'to