New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-03-30
VoL.XXXlV. NO. 10, COG.
THE CANAL RING TlGHI.
THE PEOPLES MOVEMENT.


THE TIME AUsPICIoUs-TuE MEMVSRs OF THE
RING POLITICALLY WEAK.
10y TELEGRAPH FROM A STAFF CORRESPONDENT OF THE
TRIBUNE.l
UTIcA. N Y. March 29.-The public mind in Cen
trail New-York is ali ablaze with excitement over
the Governors message on Canal Frauds and THE
IRIBUNE's continued exposure Of them. Coming
up from Albany an evening train found that
this one all absorbing topic the basis of CONVEX
sation among citizens who live along the line of
the canals aud who casually met in the cars and
was surprised at the unanmity OF opinion
that seemed to prevail among them. 1t
was evident that nobody looked upon
the present agitation partisan one. 1t Is simply
an uprising of the people Of the State. led by the
Governor and the independent press against the
men who have robbed them. On every side heard
the bearteSt approval Of the Governors cousre and
an earnest wish expressed for his success in his
crusade against the thieves. One man alone. Of
whole car full differed with all others whom heard
express an opinion He deplored this wholesale at
tack upon private character without giving men
chance TO be heard in their own defense.
Now there is that work in Utica about which so
much has beel said that contract on which Deni-
con has built so much vertical wall. He has not
done II without orders. IT," he continued, the
Canal Commissioner the Canal Board order him
to put vertical wall there, the contractor Is not TO
blame, is heY"
That depends" replied a man sitting behind
him. on what efforts the contractor made to have
the terms of the contract changed If DenisOn, by
using his influence cOTrupty. otherwise, procured
an order TO have vertical wall placed there where
II was not needed, he must share the blame with
the officials who ordered it, The main trouble has
been that the Ring contractors have devoted too
much Of their time 20 work at Albany, obtaining
extensions extra allowances changes in the charac-
~ tnaA Of 1nnly Of q
sheir contracts ana seeing that the work is done
according to agreement"
Here in Utica find deepseated feeling among
all classes Of people. Last light it proposed to
hold public meeting in order to give a popular ex-
preston of approval of the Governors course, but
tins approval found to be universal that such
a meeting was finally thought TO be unnecessary.
THE Governor has the earnest support of every
body in Oneida County whom have
talked WITH" said very prominent gentle
man of this city to-day, land all he has
TO do is TO go right along quietly, as he has
begun, and he will meet with serious opposition.
The people all right, the time Is suspicious, and
nothing can revent general reform but mistake
III the management of the present movement. or q
failure 10 take advantage of the present oppor-
tubity don't fear the latter so much as the for
iner."
'How do YOU think a mistake might possibly be
made 7" / asked.
by allowing the movement to become partisan,
to be used for the purpose of raising up one set OF
men and pulling down another. know that Gov.
1lllen has such purpose, and believe he Will be
able to prevent others from making such use OF IT,
/ am only pointing out Of the dangers.
The movement must go on until tue
reform is accomplished; and If men have
been acting dishonesty OF have prof
tied by the stealing that we all know has
taken place. they must of course. take the conse-
quences, but must to 1t that the movement is
10 conducted that man or class of men will be
able to say it started to prosecute them In
other words, we want no martyrs"
/" Have you seen any indications of purpose or
desire to use the present investigation Tor the pur-
pose of persecution ~ inquired.
IL am sorry to say that have" was the reply
zone of the New-YOrk papers has attempted to make
it appear that Judge Church has been dishonora0ly
connected with the Ring don't behve word OF
if Hell a DOOR man. and has not been eXtravagant.
aud dont believe he ever had any connection with
them Some of his friends may be among them, but
no man ought to be attacked unless he has aided,
Allotted or connived at the dishonesty. II
any man has done that, / say let HIM
suffer But you know as well as l do that if you
once LET the idea get abroad that the agitation Is
porsonal or partisan IN its character 10 matter
whether it may be so not, its moral effect will be
gone. But If its character. as movement OF the
people for reform is preserved it IS bound to win
nothing can stop it. The proper Investigations will
be- made and the proper remedies applied"
"You remarked some time ago." l SAID, continu-
ing the conversation. that the time for such re-
form was suspicious. Why is it particularly So
now ~
THE depression in business, the hard times, make
ren disseminated and ready for change. l never
III A. til. lnCfp N
which | saw when q young man. Martin
Van Buren, was President and he car
red out the policy of Jackson in
all but one particular--that in regard to tie Sub
Treasury-abd history has INDICATED his action in
that particular. The Wings threw overheard three
great men and nominated Gen. Harrison, second
class man. ! saw no reason why the Democrats
should not carry the election There were no es-
pecal arguments in favor OF Harrls0ns election;
they said that he had fought Indian battle some
where out West and that he lived in log cabin
aud drank hard cider. So they built log
cabins all over the country, and carried
cider barrels and coons i'll their professions Greatly
tony surprise the Democrats lost almost all OF the
States; but neither the log cabins, nor the cider
barrels nor the coons. carried the election. They
had seen hard times and were depressed and dls-
Outraged They were not philosophers, and did not
as general thing understand that the hard
times were the natural result OF over |
SPECULATION They were FESTIVE and just came
~ the conclusion that il would be better to have
change Again, soon after the close OF the war.
Jaw the opposite condition of affairs illustrated lhe
Administration extravaganza and taxes were |
high. In making plain kind of speech to a coun-
Try audience l tried TO show the necessity Oh |
change in the Administration. When 1 was done |
an old friend. a plain farmer, took me by the |
ta.l xvaxI Of