The New York herald., 1875-09-01
THE CANAL FRAUDS.

BENNETT AND HAND FURNISH BAIL-PRoCEED-
NGs BEFORE THE INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE
YEsTERDAY-AssEMBLYMAN LORD AND OTHER
WITNESSES ON THE sTAND-wHAT WAS UN-
DERsrooD BY GRUBBNG.
ALBANY, August 81, 1875.
Judge Osborn held Special Term of the Supreme
Court this morning when Lewis j. Bennett and John
Hand witnesses for the State in the OF the People
against George D. Lord furnished bail the sum of
S. 900 each appear when called upon Daniel Post
OF Buffalo, and William r. Chapman of Futonvie, be-
came their suretes.
THE INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE.
Ex-Cana Commissioner Barkley was before the
Canal Investigating Committee this morning for exam
nation in the matter of the 81 900 certificate which
Bennett says he gave to Davis and Davis says he gave
10 Barkley after his term of Office expired. Barkley
says he returned the certificate to Bennett through tho
mail but Bennett says he never received 1t from him.
The Joint Legislative Committee investigate canal
affairs met at the rooms of the Auditor Of the Canal
Department at half past eleven O'Clock this morning
Senator'S Cole and Booth and Assemblymen Seward and
Faulkner, together with Henry Smith, of the commit
tees counsel present The committee Immediately
went into private session.
TESTIMONY oP JOHN D.
On reopening the doors John D. Fay was recalled
and examined as to the Black Rock Harbor contract
As Canal Commissioner he said he had charge Of tho
work. Skinner had the contract; assigned 1t George
D. Lord vandeusen succeeded Lord Lord furnished his
own tools: when he abandoned the contract don't
know what became Of them; think the State
did not get them; had nothing TO do with
giving Lord his extra allowance on the
Work; Mowery succeeded vandeusen; he paid for
some Of the tools belonging to vandeusen; stone &c.
are frequently stolen from the State when contractors
put on new materials in bridges other structures
they appropriate the old materals do know that
they are justified in doing
EVIDENCE OF CANAL AUDITOR THAYER.
Francis s Thayer, Auditor of the Canal Department.
recalled and examined TO the enlargement of the
Champlan Canal The cost Of that work is estimated
So 600 0O0 the first appropriation S425 0OO and
the second $780, OOO all the FIRST and about half the
The witness was then examined in detail as to the
contracts on his work.
Senator Cole-what authority had the Canal Board to
part Of the $500 900 when there no law author
zing themY
acted suppose they assumed TO have authorty there
maps, plans surveys for the work made the
contracts we're let before the survey, &c could be
made; there authority for letting them prior
the surveys yet they let the law expressly pro-
vides that the works shall not be let until the surveys
made and submitted to the Canal Board for approva
the Canal Board went and made contracts and ex-
pended S25S, 900 without any authority Of law what
ever
The committee here took recess until halfpast
three ?. NJ.
AFTER RECESS
The Legislative Committee reassemblcd al half past
three p. NJ when George d. Lord, ex-Assemblyman,
was called TO the stand and sworn.
Mr.. Peckham-Mr. Lord, do you know Mr.. Bennett ?
Mr. w. Cogswel, Lords counsel here and
said IL was undoubtedly known to the committee that
criminal proceedings had been instituted against Mr.
Lord, and II would be highly prejudical to his case
were he to submit TO any examination touchng the
involved in the proceedings alluded TO, and he
would therefore, under his (Mr Cogswels) advice, de-
cline answer any questions touching those matters
He did think IL would be proper for Mr. Lord 10 dis
close his defence at this time.
Mr. Peckham counsel for the people, said the
animation would involve those matters lie then asked
Lord II he had entered into an agreement with Lewis j.
Bennett while he Lord was member Of the Assembly
10 get bill known the Hand Roef blln through