New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-11-20

perform to the best OF my ability my part. There were
the record before certain repair contracts the
lingering remnants Of discarded and corruptine sys-
tem-a system by which mon were paid large sums ior
allowing tho prism OF tho Canal To I'LL up and the struc
te pass decay 1t at this system. OF at tho
remains OF H. that directed the following preamble aud
resolution:
abolish Contracting Board aud the system OF repair
Ing me canals , y ana m cxng contract, as as soon as
proper regard to the navigation oil tho Canals "o"u
HLrr,0s Contracts are now in existence alleged to be
excessive In amount and which can only De anneu ara
cancelled upon the recommendation OF the Canal Commits
ESsoiied That the Board Of Canal Commissioners are
in their Judgment the interests OF the State would not
BE- promoted by the canoeng of present existing repair
'o Adopted.
The effect was not equal to the intent 1t was sui-
oient bring to my omnous muttcrings. But with
| q few brisk editorial cuff. was excused.
The Proposed canal Investigation ia ls72.-Not en-
trey satisfied with my FIRST attempt at REFORM pre-
scented to the Canal Board for consideration, the follow
ing preamble aud resolution. tho nth of February,
! 1872:
Wheeos The amount Of taxes necessary to lie collected
for the canal fund increased from TlOl926o Us Ia 1865
to $3,sso,o35 30 in 1871; and ,-.,,
Whereas The amounts paid superntendents and con
! lists. to s2.O52195 50 in 1871 ana
Whereas The receipts Tor tolls decreased from si4ls-
]
centagc Of maintenance tolls received increased
from 26 80 per cent to 1914 per cent and -
repairs and COLLECTION Of tols have decreased from
WAereas The amount remaining for ordinary repairs
the Eastern Division of the canals S6l2s25 40
on Oct l. 1871, which amount expended and the
fund oyerdrswn within three months thereafter; and
whereas From the foregoing statement it Is perfectly
apparent that the canals are in condition OF not only
absolute bankruptcy but source OF grave and ncreas-
ing taxation and consequent financial injury to the
Resoired That nus Board respectfully ask Of he Legis
n Of l sa@ @f nSg Gna Gn@nre I'M es
that some oi'cy may De adopted oy nsas Of ehieh lrans
recs,ps Increased, SO as IN measure to reere the
peopie from trdiiOn, and restoring ne canals 10 he
former position Of usefulness ana Prontto me S"e ana
Adopted
Mr.. Fay offered the following as a substitute:
Whereas Large expenditures have been authorized aud
directed by the Legislature during the years l56o 1863
fs7O and 1871 cassed as extraordinary repairs for the
purpose improving the canals, which expenditure
snch improvements were rendered necessary in conse-
quence OF tho then condition of the canals, aud which
Whereas. The diapidated condition OF the canals at the
time OF the sbrogaiion Of the contract system mado
necessary further heavy expenditure drawn from ef
revenues to put them in proper nayigabe order; ana
Eheas. The rates OF toll have been largely reduced,
much was realized before such reduction
whereas It has been charged that such expenditures
wore not only oxtrayagant but fraudulent therefore
Rfolred That this Board respectfully ask O the Legs
lature a full and searching investigation OF canal man
agement aud finance throughout the years above enune
rated.
on calling the Yeas and Nays the substitute was lost
by the following vote:
Yeas-Mcssrs. Beach, Fay, Wright-3.
Nays-Mcssrs. Soribner, Hopkins, Raihes, BdflO"'
Barley, Taylor-G.
The question recurring the original preamble ana
resolution. calling the Yeas and Nays they wero
adopted by the following vote:
YE,-M essrs. scribner, Hopkins, Roines, Barlow,
Barley, Taylor-6.
NAYs-Messrs Beach Fay, Wright-3.
The preamble had been prepared with care and its
statements proven by tho Auditors tables The reso-
ton WA not partisan The members of the Canal Board
expressed Themselves unanimously In favor of iDyest-
CATION. They differed to the causes that produced
this terrible exhibit. The document adopted was at once
sent by the Auditor TO Senate ana Assembly. IL was
referred to the Canal Committees Editorial Endorsements
OF the measure were constantly accommodating when,
the excitement increasing from OF the leading pa
pcrs OF the state there came forth doucoadcd odi-
toral two columns long. dcnOuncing the movement as
the Joint product of malice aud ignorance The author OF
the document was covered with ridculo he was de-
nounced as an gnoramus aud fool The correctness OF
the figures was fatly denied This article was copied
trong hout the state Tie positive character Of its state
nens backed by the reputation of its author as an a-
horiiy canal figures produced an effect soon visible
I'm the legislature The Investigation icas SnothtTed
AIb1pU Nov. Il, 1873. THOMAS RAISEs