New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-04-10

pensou in rival parties-and an Assemblymnn and
il said to cherish designs on seat In congress-
which have been checked by one defeat n.
Stanton Gere, some of whose contracts have been
printed in THE TRIBUNE, is tho youngest
son. and of late n0mnally the most prom
inent Of the family. William II. IL. Gefe
WIS placed on the canal engineer, and was
maintained there for Il years by the ponncn
strength of his family. The most successful ana
the shrewdest Of the Gcddcs RingisE b. Van Dnsen
a Republican like all the Ceres, and one OF tnosc
keen contractors who is more than match for any
younq engineer even if the latter desires to pit him.
self against him. His skill arises largely from his
former experience the canals as an engineer. me
Geddes Ring takes its part in local as well MS IN canal
affairs and never allows the apprenticeship of the
town to leave the Gere family. Van Dusen and NJ
Stanton Gere have succeeded Nelson Gere as the ac-
tive spirits of the organization. Its rivalry OF the
Syracuse Ring proper is bitter even to contracts Tor
tbev quarrel not only politics, but will contend as
well in matters Of business.
To return 10 the regular organization, the Candies
are flmily of contractors, the head of when, od
Uncle Bill Candce" ho is called is on the retired
list but is still an active man. His nepheWs, Dahie
and Horace Candee both belong TO the class OF men
who are now terribly prepleXed as TO the WiseSt
course for they hold pending contracts II they 20
OH with them under the unbalanced bids anu Win
the existing popular excitement loss is inevitable ;
if they abandon them they forfeit their deposit and
loss has already come. The Candies have all
prospcred and Gov. Tldcn's message was TO them
rs 10 others the first blast Of adversely. Henry j.
Mowry is "a Democrat, and popular one. He holds
the pcnding Black Rock Ilarbor contract, which has
been fully Analysed in THE TRIBUNE He has taken
considerable part in politics az delegate to con-
yentious, and is q partner Of Edward B. Van Dusen
another instance of balanced politics. Charles
Nichols is another Democrat and noted contractor
who has gone back to contracts after sevefai years
retirement Just ~ they ceased TO b. either pleasant
or profitable. Republican contractor OF some
prominence is Clark 4. Shook, leading man Ill the
Town OF Manlius.
| These are the leaders Of the Syracuse Ring a
bare recital of their names and principal character
stirs reaches the Limits of practcability. To at
t.uipt 10 Outline "reminiscences OF the operations in
which many Of them have been engaged would need
the space of an encyclopedia and fret without neea
! the sonl of the ax-paycr. They have had news
parer allies. contract dummies, and political and
/ Official servants of whom nothing has been SAID
/ OF some Of them enough Is already known; as Tor
the otheTs-ths is TOO busy a world to CONT insects
This Is only Che present generation Oh the syracuse
/ Ring. There are many contractors who have been
gathered +, tLcir fathers or retired to private ilr
whose exploits were 10 les, remarkable than those OF
their succ .sso1s some Of whom are their descend
anita. Canal frauds are al old story, said deaf old
! contractor to-day, whose confidential whisper WAS
! EXPOSURE enough in iisolf got Qua IN time.
tell you. My lrst contract was in 80. got 20
cents for excavation and 30 per cent extra on any
load that had to bc hauled over to the bernie bank
/ Yon bet your life every load went OverN Belden
and Dsnson date back ii is said, twenty years, and
they are only The seniors Of the present Ring. when
/ tie people everywhere begin to realize how wei
grounded this interest Is, how lis influence has
grown and lis pOwe: has been carefully husbanded'
/ aud when they consider how long it has lived by
robbery and how great the robberes have BEEN they
will SEQ the great good that has been and is to be
| accomplish cd. d. L.