New-York tribune., 1867-08-14
C4NAL FINANCIERING.


The Senate of our State last Winter directed
an able Committee to look sharply into the
manaoement of our State Canals, with intent
TO discover if possible, why their current ex-
pepses, especially for repairs, are so much
larger than formerly. The testimony thus
elected, at the request of the Constitutional
Convention, has been furnished to that BODY
and printed by its order. We think those who
read il will thencefOrth deem 1.-THE milk In the
4" eocoanutr satisfactorily accounted for. Take
tbe following extract from the testimony OF
Cen. B. F. Bruce, late Canal Commissioner,
brt who didn't get renominated last Fall) as
sample:
O Have YOU ever received any presents from the con,
tractorsf A. Well In relation TO that VIII answer y9u
in this wise There allegations and charges made
aaanst me and so anything Of that kind Is con
wi,tee n Won want information on that subject,
vom must obtain rom others and not from me- don't
want say pro or con in regard to allegations us against
| myself - - .,.ooa .o,,s. o ,v,a, do vou
o. Then understand you don't propose to answer any
ID to Eaye paid
NV answer was that in relation TO that there s any
desire on the part OF the Committee on that SUBJECT g
u.st oSair he inforniahon from other hon from
me don't suppose am called upon to TESTIFY on those
BY senator Gibson. @ The Committee do not & desire re-
that should give any evidence that would ha enc Com m
dnet Of iris investigation feel bound get any fact that
any witness Is willing 70 esty s1 az ana himself
Under that statement do you decline 70 answer ne 9ues
tion propounded to youi A. decline In the way nave
| indicated. Sir.
- This seems plain enough; yet 1T is even
more conclusive when viewed in the light OF
| the abundant testimony contained in this re-
mort as to how and by whom contracts were
| awarded to high bidders in preference to those
whose bids were far lower, as to lavish allow
ances TO favored contractors. &C., &c.
Il Here is leaf out of the testimony of
Canal Commissioner still in ofice-Mr. +. A.
| Alberger:
O. Since you have been Canal Commissioners have you
received any money from tho contractorsi A In ''hat
O. Have you had any presents made by contractors
directly or indirectly, TO yout A VIII answer that
from contractors or persons Interested In the canals
e shape OF for services rendered seriees
q frePeat the question. A. That is my answer; and
win say that decline 10 anstcer any questions personally
| had aI opportunity Of examining your testimony
q The Testimony long and is not all written up yet
O. You don't need to read TO answer this question.
ask this question; Have you received, since you nave
been Commissioner. In the way OF present. directly or
indirectly from any canal contractor OF this state any
or sums Of money a. decline 70 answer we oTesens on @
pertaining to me personally until have had an oppor
O. DO you think that it Is necessary you to read this
evidence in order 20 be able 10 tell whether you have
| ceived money from c0ntractorsf A do not.
O. Then why do you put it upon any such ground A.
Because hold IL is my personal right as person lmp-
Gated TO know what the testimony Is, and right W DO
| o. What makes you think you are mplcatedi A.
| Because don't know; propose 10 know
| O. Ifyou have mover received any money nave yon
| any reason ~ suppose you are lmPucaedl n. uoh
| suppose am implicated.
| 0 Now, Sir I viii put the question again. You know
whether you have received money from contractors or
| mott A. Most aEsurcdly.
O. Is il necessary TO read thousand pages OF evidence
In order 10 answer that question: A don't decline 70
answer this upon that ground but general grounds
| o. What grounds A. Any questions relating TO me
personally propose 90 know what the testimony IA, that
may know whether am Implicated IN any way OF NOT.
propose TO all questions as witness, but none
| % Will YOU answer the question whether you have
received any OF money from any contractor as
| present since you have been Canal Commissioner
shall answer IL In other way than have stated it
received no money nom contractors for services done
for TO DO performed won't enter INTO speclnc
details until understand my position. ,..,,o, 40
O. understand you 20 say that you have received no
money q consideration for work being done A. For
| services Of any kind.
directly Indirectly A. shall not dnScer any qtes
iions reiatHg 10 myscy PersondHy
you have been a Canal Commissioner A. shall rcfaSs
10 dlsiccr all those questions.
| q You refuse 10 answer thati A. Yes.
a. Have you received money from Belden or Dennison
A. ITefpSc 10 dnsicer.
We prQher no comments on these replies
and refusals to reply of our States most trust
ed public servants. They do not seem to need
any. We will barely add that our conviction
that the State should, under proper regulations,
either sell or lease her Canals and retire from
the transportation business, has been decidedly
strengthened by a glance over the testimony
| t,lo, nm tbo (anal investiOation