New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-03-25

transportation. The Taxpayers OF that city were
called upon to pay SO per cent of the taxes OF the
State and had deep interest in the preservation oil
the commercial supremacy Of the city. 1hem0re ne
perused the Governors message the moro he was I'M
pressed with the necessity of prompt remedial leg
islation. Ii was terrible arraignment of the man
agement of the canals of the State and of the men
who control it, This startling array offguresmust be
explained The responsible majority on the floor OF
the House must not be frightened away on the
plea Of party expediency. Away with such
deluson That party which is not willing to sub
ordinate party welfare to public ends does not
deserve control These frauds have been going on
for years. but it remained for Democratic Cover
nor to expose this scheme of fraud of tho most
ingenious ever devised for the depletion of the
treasury. Nothing stands in the way OF the COM
mercial progress of New-YOrk bat the evil OF dis
honesty heightened by incompetency and aided by
public apathy. At present dark cloud hangs over
those implicated Investigation viii tend either 10
vindicate their characters or not but, If not, on
them will fall the full power of the storm Of public
indignation.
Mr.. Seward said that the exposure of these
gigantic frauds was worthy of the attention that
has been gwen to it, and Of all the investigation
that is demanded for it, If frauds said he, can be SO
systematized, nothing but determined effort can
dislodge it. from its stronghold. l cannot
doubt that these frauds are the growth
of many years. I cannot doubt that
neither political party is wholly responsible for
them; neither party is wholly blameless. On the
first day of the session had the honor to submit
measure which 1 thought would prevent canal
frauds. That was an amendment to Article V. of
the Constitution. fixing responsibility for canal
management where it can be reached; but whatever
measure is adopted laws throwing safeguards about
canal contracts must be passed. There is no longer
any doubt in the minds of the greater portion OF
both Houses in regard to that proposition. These
frauds must stop.
COMBINATION TO PLUMBER THE PEOPLE.
Mr. Davis said he was delighted with the appa-
rent unanimity on this subject. All were in favor
of an immediate investigation. The Governor. said
be, asks this Legislature to provide an immediate
remedy for the state of facts which he presents.
His statement carries conviction upon its face, and
shows that these men have been in an immense
combination to plumber the people. The Speakers
insinuatons that there is nothing wrong in these
contracts may be correct; but If he would
examine the law he would find that it is
made the duty of the Division Engineers
to examine and estimate regarding the work
to be done and to fix the prices and
quantities. 1t is not designed that these quantities
and prices shall be increased after the contract is
awarded. 1t is not possible that the engineer could
not know, when the quantity sheet is first made,
what the exact figures would be- and there can be
no excuse for the increase which the figures exhibit
He cited some of the figures presented by the Gov
ernor to show that unmistakable fraud had been
committed. Prices were charged in numerous in-
stances at double and sometimes four times what
they should have been charged; and in these
hard times especially the work under many
of the items could be done OF one-haf
or less what these contractors reserved for il. He
know that law had been passed allowing the Com
missoners TO change the character of the work. but
authority was thereby given to change prices to
rates far above an honest standard. lie asked that
the Legislature take cognzlnce Of the outrageous
irregularities to which the Governor had called at
tenton. The statutes in regard to these contracts
showed fraud on their face. The engineer and the
contractors knew, when the contracts were made,
that the figures gwen could not be followed that
the work described was not the work TO be done
that the price named did not represent the true
price; and that the quantities and materials were
not what were needed or required to complete the
work. They both knew the quantities and materi-
ais would be greatly increased on some items while
none at all would be needed on Others Again. it IS
notorious that the work performed is not what tho
contracts called for, either in measurement or quail
iy Vertical walls arc built to-day which are utter
frauds; straight face is made, but behind that
thin face the space is filled with small stones and
rubbish. The frauds are patent to all who examine
either the figures or tho work. Mr. Davis analysed
some Of the contracts which have been already
given in THE TRIBUNE, among them the half mil
lion job of Henry ID. DenisOn, and one of Willard
JohnsOas contracts. Mr.. Davis here allowed him
self to be far carried away by the grossly insult
ing manner Of the Speakers previous illusions to
him, as to say that in reply to his and low in
situations he could say that he also had never been
interested in any contracts to the extent of dol
lar
Mr. Avord at once rose to a point of order, and
demanded that Mr.. Davis's language be reduced to
writing
The Speaker asked of Mr. Davis IL he understood
the remark to fit hImi If he desired he could put
on the coat he had made.
Mr. Davis replied that he did not. and denounced
the insnuations of the Speaker, who had now for
the fourth time taken the floor to insult members.
Mr. Alvord again raised his point of ORDER and
asked that Mr.. Davis's remarks be taken down. Mr..
Timothy Campbell admonished Mr.. Davis to pro-
coed in order. and that gentleman continued. He
said he stood there as the representative of the
boatmen and forwaders In denounoing these wrongs.
If these frauds be prevented we can reduce the
tolls, and thus greatly benefit not only the taxpay-
ers, but the commerce Of the State. The
canals had cost last gyear more than
S1,OOO,0OO over the receipts. The expenses
could be Greatly reduced, reduced so much that the
balance would be on the other side aud the boatmen
greatly relieved Another result Of the stoppage of
these leaks will be the early completion Of the great
improvements in contemplation on the canals. He
thought it time at once to take soundings on this
question, and by stopping all appropriations relieve
the people Of the burdens which Cypress them There
.uon ma ,rnu of rernnvinn fhnsA hnrlena aYcent