The New York herald., 1870-03-07
THE CANAL CONTRACT BILL.

The following bin to abolish the Contracting Board
and the system OF repairing the canals by contr act
has been mace the special order for consideration
in the Assembly on Tuesday next. IL was intro.
duced m the Senate by Mr.. Hardenbergh. referred
to the Committee on Canals reported favorably by
majority OF said committee, and committed to the
Committee OF the Wn0le:-
AN ACT TO abolish the Contracting Board and the
system OF repairing the canals BY contract.
Secnon one provides that all laws and parts OF
laws requiring the letting and keeping the canals
IN repair by contract are repealed, and the Con-
tracing Board Is abolished. But the repeal OF the
said laws shall not except as otherwise provided BY
this act, mvalidate the contracts heretofore made
or discharge Of the contractors from the duties
and obligations imposed by such contracts, or the
said laws, ana the right OF the said contractors to
receive from the state any pecuniary compensation
or other relief under said contracts shall not DO
affected thereby.
Section two provides thar it shall bs Lawful for any
contractor Tor repairs OF the canals, under con-
tract heretofore made, to surrender TO the Canal
the same and from OF such surrender and
ceplance thereof the said contract shall be annued
and the said contractor shall be discharged from all
the Obligations thereof.
Section three provides that 1t shall be lawful for
the Canal Board whenever they shall deem 1t to the
interests OF the State to cancel any contracts for
pairs OF the canals heretofore made, by resolution
to be entered IN The minutes OF the board and upon
the entry OF such resolution such contracts snail
be thereby declared cancelled and annulled shall be
annulled, aud the contractors discharged from all
obligations to perform m m the same Thereafter. s
tractors who shall surrender their contracts,
whose contracts shall be cancelled and annulled by
shall not be entitled 10 demand or receive, ana shall
not be allowed for any prospective damages or any
compensation lor prospective OF nnearned profits.
or damages except as provided BY this act. Every
contractor. the surrender OF whose contract snail
be accepted Oy the canal Board. and every con-
tractor whose contract shall be cancelled and an
nued by The Canal Board shall be entitled to receive
the money deposited as q security for the perform
OF hg with the aCCumuIate
thereon, together with the money earned under
such contract and also for work, labor and services
under the same for permanent improvements not
heretofore provided for IN this section as shall In the
Judgment OF the commissioner IN charge be equita-
bic and just up to the time or the surrender can
ceiling ana annulling thereof ana full and fair
compensation for the tools, materials and lmple-
ments necessarily procured for the purpose OF per.
to the canal commissioner in charge OF the division
for the use OF the State.
Section six provides tnat, In addition to the gene
raj powers and duties OF the Canal Board as now
prescribed by law 1t shall be the duty OF the said
board and they are hereby authorized and required
to cause the canals to be put and kept IN good repair
and navigable condition. III such mode ana by such
agencies. IN connection WIN those established by
law, shall be adjudged expedient and necessary
and SAID board is authorized to appoint and
many agents as shall be found necessary from
be deemed proper and at compensation to be
1xed by said board. the duties OF which agents
shall be to render such ala and assistance to the
the canal commissioners and other 0.ricers IN the
performance OF their respective duties as shalf be
prescribed by SAID board; to act as apoce force
along the line Of the canals In compelling an OBJ
servance OF the laws and regulations OF the Canal
Board: to aid and In the orderly and speedy
passage OF boats and all floats upon the canal; TO
prevent and remove distractions In the navigation,
with such power ana control over boats and
floats navigating the canals as the sad
board shall by general regulations pre-
scribe, and generally TO perform such duties
as the SAID Canal Board by general regulations
SPECIAL resolutions shall direct. The said agents
shall be subject to the direction and control or
commissioner In charge. ana may be removed
suspended by said commissioner and other persons
appointed IN their stead by said commissioner during
a recess or when the Canai Board shall not be IN
session. and any such removal and appointment
snail be reported 10 the Canal Board at their next
meeting for action thereon.
Finally, the seventh section provides tnat the Canal
Board shall have power to make such rules and
regulations In relation to the canals and especially
carry out the provisions of this act as snail be
deemed expedient and not be inconsistent win law
and impose tne like penalties and forfeltures for
violation OF sucn rules ana regulations as are now
authorized bV law.