New-York tribune., 1874-12-11


In filling out bid upon one Of these estimates the
contractor who knows just tho amount OF work to be
done has greatly the advantage. For example the ex
bibt shows the above table large amount OF exca-
walton and little embaDkment. Here tho principle OF
balancing" comes In, and exceedingly low rate Is
placed the former and much too high on the latter
But experience has shown the business as the con-
tractors probably knew that the amount OF excavation
was overestimated, while tho amount Of embankment
stated at much too low figure. In this way, Dy
the balancing process the contractors have given low
bid taking In the whole contract, while they will in the
end profit very largely by the OF the exhibit So
slope wall or dry vertical wall while there would De
great deal Of cement wall In Section there would he
little coping. but IN Section great deal. There would
probably be little white pine or heml0ck nsed but
great deal of white oak The exhibit aud BID upon @
and estimated value but the paper was not accessible at
This was the situation at the tmc the meeting was
called large amount OF money nearly or quite sOOOUo,
has been expended with no adequate return All those
Interested IN tie improvements are naturally dssatis
fed, and fear that further aid may be refused unless
provemens to be continued on the extensive plan
Of 1871, they there Is hardly enough money IN the
State 10 pay them ut this rate.
THE MEETING.
The meeting was I'm the parlors OF HllPs Hotel
Fday afternoon About persons present, includ
ing the Hon. Z. L. Davis Assembyman-eect the Hon.
W. Z. Calkins. II. G. Burlegh. John Keenan, william
Coleman John Hall, T. A. Martin, A. ID. Buard, K. En
glsh. Taylor Manvlle, Ii. r. Snyder, n I. Json, ex-
Senator Baker and Canal Commissioner Barkey. H. G.
Buregh, OF the prominent for Sarders and Iner
chants OF WHITEHALL presided full statement OF the
facts mentioned above made by the Hon. E. E. DAVIS,
In long address many Of his points being emphasized
by documents. aud In manner which evidently I'M
DAVIS that the object of the meeting not 10 cast the
blame for any Irregularities upon commissioners or co
tractors, simply honest administration
In the future. There were. however In tine meeting
persons who either wished to create diversion or
who rnisook character for without regard to
u
mtted and urged by two oi the representatives OF the
present indorsng the admin OF the Com
missioner tBarkley), though he was present. lt
however, without debate laid on the table by vote
OF IS 20 49, Mr.. Birkey was called upon ana made
short address, excupating himself by casting tue Diane
Others in and arguing that necessity an1
Judgment made the large expense IN others unavOl
able. The enlargement at COnoes, lie sald was as
great benes to Whitehall as to Coboes, aud work on
the branch canal was very Important as theLe were
tunes when boats account OF low water In the river,
could not go the other way In speaking OF the ngn
cllded than that mentioned: mile or enlarged canal
tAcaVatinS TWO Iee VI % 'o ~ p n ono
cuvert. whica woud reduce tne expense rom
Ia the building OF the Waterford locks he stated
It's which enhanced COST In regard TO the Saratoga
dam and tine Billiards. Bend improvements he thre all
.ne responslbity the Legislature for changing the
line of the dam. and the engineers for the imperfect
| estimates lie said they examined the BrlIards BEND
section Saturday, wintry day, when tue water
SnIsbed gas and therefore could not tell exactly
what was wanted With respect the giving OF con-
tracts upon the erroneous exhibits, which contracts
the Commissioners had no discretion, aud long
contract was well "baauced" he must award it 10 tho
lowest bidder. lie stated tnat he would do all tnat he
could to forward their wishes and claimed that the
management OF the canal during the last three years
had been very economical. Some other addresses were
made, but nothing new vas saij Mr.. Burleigh very
strongly enforced the policy OF Watching their interests
lowing resolutions. which were prepared by commit
tee fully express the feeling OF the meeting:
dph Sas' II seven iHs fee. ad Of "a the BOTTOM II the
the increased demand OF buue Of North
plan, AMI l,coos Of the line Of tn,
aGd involves yet great and nss s,s ds.,s '' building ne"
Ina Shrtss By the act Of s4 spfOOan. $500 900
70. the e ss sssns a sa1l or s,s To- n
plans. ems,es and with reference to
contemplated by tde making Aforesaid appropriation
nd herea Ii has to the kno.ede OF he people maj ee
officials in Of canal under OF the
and Of ac L,siare when gaa1g the said ,ppr,
the basis Of estimate Of Quantities eS1tsnpiie W & ,Se surys ana
vsnoa Of the intention Lgsare aid contrary The Litter
and spirit o. ha s act 'se Greatly eonas .S
poPonemeat, the increased shipping facilities 40 much
Kosd That the asn. Of this m.stiHs f. representing The
Of s pTe the q eDh % n BY Se Ea
he st the CtaTa Canal snail Be improved ia accordance viii
served consistent with durable and aoa, mere o. he
rapidly Increasing seeking outlet through the cbanue
,ed That in order forth tn. foregoing
committee to consist Of practical tsdne men shall be sp
Se people seeing th.t care shall be ien bas Cha@pn
to that Of enhancement demanded 5y our increasing com
pupose shall be the duty o. said committee closely
all the line thereof and
Canal Board from time time often as be deemed
necessary and make ueh suggestions shall to be important to
furthe purposes contemplated BY TIL meeting
In win the resolution the Committee to
protect the interests Of the business men was appond
AS follows: The Hon. E. Z. Davis OF Whitehall. John
keenan, OF GeDns Falls, William Coleman OF Sandy
HILL the Hon. William +. Calk1us OF Tic0nderoga. the
Hon. Mr. Bowen OF Pattsburg. II. G. Burlegh of White
hall and John Hall OF Fort Ann.
The meeting was too short for a full presentation Of
the subject full expression OF opinion The working
time shortened too, by the effort to ndOrse Com
m Rlrkley's
succeeded II 1t had not been timed, aud the
of adjourn in time to catch the
return train Tie main object STAINED, however,
the appointment OF committee and the opening OF
the subject. Other meetings will be held, and tue Com
mtee will Immediately t1elr dute intending
to attend the next meeting OF the Canal Board.