New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-09-04
THE CHAMPLAIN CANAL.
PRATT EXPLAINS Thu
ACTION OF THE CANAL BOARD.


ACKNOWLEDGEMENT PRATT EXPLAINS Thu
ACTION OF THE CANAL BOARD.
A DENIAL THAT rIE BOARD VIOLATED THE LAW IN
Any RESPECTING NEW MAPS OR SURVEYS RE-
CURED
SYRACUSE Y. y, Sept. BIN The Syracuse Courier
OF Saturday will appear q letter from Attorney-Gen-
eral Pratt explaining his official action aud that II
his associates in the meeting OF the canal Board
Nav H. 1874, in reference 10 the adoption Oh tho
revised maps plans, and estimates for tie enlarge
ment Of the Champlan Canal. Ito Attorney-Gen'
eral says:
NO NEW MAPS RToU1eED.
There is not a word in the law reqnriug new
map. plan, or survey to bc made. The word new"
is not in any part OF the act relative to the Cham
plain Canal. BY chapter IT'S Of the Laws Of 1870,
an appropriation of Sf2J,0O0 was made for the en-
largement of the Champlain Canal. and by the same
act the State Engineer was authorized 20 make the
necessary surveys maps, plans, and estimates OF
such proposed enlargement, and locate the line OF
said work; and no part OF the money was
to be expended except to pay for surveys until the
maps, plans etc, had been submitted to and
approved by tho Canal Board. Under that act
surveys, maps plans estimates, and location OK
line were submitted 10 the Canal Board and approved
Sept. 27 1871. BY Chapter 399 OF the Laws OK
1874 an appropriation Of $500, 900 was made for
continuing the enlargement, and the state Engineer
and Commissioner in charge OF the Eastern DIVISION
of the Canal were required to revise the
surveys, maps, plans, estimates, and location
of the line of the Champlain Canal, made
under the law of 1870, and to report such
revised surveys, maps, plans, &C., to the Board.
The word revise WAS supposed to mean review
or 'reexamne,"" look over "and where those officers
were not satisfied with the former survey or location
of line to resurvey and relocate, but where they
were satisfied with the former location, they were
simply required to report the fact TO the Board and
if tie Board were satisfied, they would simply adopt
the former surveys, maps, plans, &c.
WHY OLD MAPS WERE Used.
Sections 26, u, %, 20, 80, and 81 OF the Cham
plain Canal had been surveyed under the act OK
1870 and all the necessary maps plans, estimates,
and location of the line, made and approved by the
Canal Board. 1t was straight line of canal at tho
northern end of the Champain Canal, and after re-
vising the survey &C., the State Engineer and Cons
missioner BaIckley reported to the Board the fact,
that in their opinion the line could not be improved,
and recommended the adoption of the old surveys,
MAPS plans estimate, and location of the line.
stating that it could not be changed, were change
desirable.
TIE BOARD ACTING IN HARMONY WITH THE LAW.
The Board, by q resolution acted on the proceed
ings adopted the recommendation, as they wero
bound to do by the act provided they were satisfied
with the line, and no new maps, plans, estimates or
location of the line of this part of the canal were
necessary or required b. the act. Thus far il is diff
cult TO discover anything which the Canal Board did
which was not strictly according to law. There is
nothing in the act which requires that
the whole line shall be revised be-
fore any part should be adopted by tho
Board; but the act itself assumes that portions OF
the line may be located and the contracts let before
the remainder shall be located. The Board, there
FORE adopted the surveys, plans &c, &c, already
made acting in good faith and according to their
best Judgment. In conclusion, the Attomcy-General
saws: "If the Canal Board erred, it is difficult to
discover what the State has lost by their error Had
new maps been made, they must have been precise
copies of tie others. One gave more opportunity
for fraud than tine other.
Mr.. PEATTs OWN OPINIONS OF THE CHAMPIAM
CANAL
"As to myself acted in that case, and have in all
other cases. with a conscientious endeayOr to dig
charge my whole duty, and doubt not all the other
members of the Boari did the same. have always
deemed myself strict cOnstructionist of the most
r gid kind and know in this there was moth
ing which might bias my mind to give the law q
loose construction in favor Of that work. l
have been outspoken against the whole scheme
of charging the Champlain Canal. To spend
S. 900 900 or $6,00O000 in the enlargement OF
that canal the revenues Of which fall far short OF
paving the expenses of ordinary repairs Oh IT, and
are continually growing less have ever considered
profigate waste of the peoples money IL has
always BEEN therefore, with great reluctance that
have ever consented TO any appropriation Tor tha'
purpose"