New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-03-25
THE CANAL RING.
nontinusa from Fire Page.

Intentions Contracts have been let systematically,
day after day, for one-third or one-foudh OF the
engineers estimate of real cost and then the State
has been obliged to pay three or four times the
amount specified in the contract.
HOW THE STATE is ROBBED.
Senator Laning here interposed the question, on
which the Ring rely so much. If the Constitution
does not require the Engineer and Canal Commits
soners to give the canal contracts to the lowest
bidder. Senator Jacobs rejoned by asking If con-
tract given at S74,OOO ON which S45O0OO is pulled
out Of the State Treasury could honestly DO called
the contract of the bidder whose bids are really the
lowest Senator Jacobs then took up contract,
which agreed TO take out 5000 yards of rock exCapa
ton for one cent per yard the fair price for which
would be from 81 IS to 81 50 peg yard. This fair
and iberal-minded man, said Mr.. Jacobs, whose
consideration for the depleted treasury induced
him to offer to excavate 5000 yards of rock for $780,
must have come from the district of one of the
Senators the other side Of the circle referring to
the side of the Senate Chamber on which
most Of the ring advocates sit, but the result was
that none Of this rock excavation was taken out
This contractor agreed to do 10000 yards of lining at
two cents per yard, which was worth fairly from 40
to so cents per yard The engineers estimate of the
cost for this contract was S113000. Tho contractor
took the job at $4,000 Another contract, when the
estimated cost was $4,000, was lot for 1920.
contract estimated at $4,000 was let for 81 9S2 En-
bankment has been let for two cents per foot Some
contracts include bids for white oak at s. per LOCO
feet the value Of which is $40 per thousand con-
tract the estimated cost of which S5000 was let
for Sl.526 Up to Feb. there had been paid on this
$4,000. What are the motives of State officers who
will not recognize the fact that there is fraud, and
plain fraud, in such transactionsf One thing is
certain the people of this State have been ignorant
Of the nature of these transactions. They will GER
tanly join in supporting legislation to remedy these
evils The people who pay the money have night
TO know where it goes. Our duty as Legislators IS to
meet this issue as representatives Of the people, and
protect the taxpayers and advance the interests Of
the State. Without personal feeling l propose to
unite with men of both parties, that the State may
DO saved from this heavy incubus Of corruption and
evil in fraudulent contracts.
There was silence for few minutes after the con-
cluson of Senator JacObo's speech, no one showing
any disposition to speak. Senator Fox then moved
that the Committee rise, report progress, and ask
leave to sit again. Thus motion was carried.
Senator Laning made motion that the cOnsidera-
ton of the Governors message should be made
special order for tomorrow morning after the read
ing of the journal. He supported the motion with
short speech, in which he urged that the message
should be made special order until is disposed Of
This should be done he urged because of its import
ance and the grave character of its charges made.
and because the Canal Committee is waiting to get
all the information possible from the Committee OF
the Whole. The message was finally made special
order for to- morrow at 1880 a. Ill.