New-York tribune., 1875-10-06
MEETING OF TIE CANAL BOARD.

| THE CASES or raE SUSPENDED ENGINEERS PUT OFF
ONE wEEK-MEssRs. COSKISGs, FORD AND BAR
NARD RELEASED FROM THEIR CoNIRAcrs-A
REPORT FAVORABLE 10 RAISING THE CANAL
TOLLS.
ALBANY, Y. Y, Oct. 5.-The Canal Board
met this morning at 1880 O'Clock. Heut-Goy. Dors-
Lerncr Treasurer Eancs, Secretary Of state Wilers.
AtJrncyGoneral Pratt state Engineer Sweet Controller
Hopkins and Commissioners Stroud, Jackson and
Thaycr, were present
Commissioner Stroud pre- 5ented the petition Of Philip
COnking for the cancellation OF his contract On Loeb J2
on the ground that the money for the work is exhausted
AtOIneyGcneial Pratt moved that the prayer OF the
petitioner be granted condition that the State lie re-
leased from all Gamagcs he thought the work ought to
be stopped The motion was cayried-s too.
Commissioner S,rOpd presented similar petition from
Mr. Ford who has a contract for widening LOc 81. Tho
same motion was made and carried by the vote
Commissioner TAayor presented SIMILAR petition from
John Riley who has contract at Fort Plain On mo-
ton Of Treasurer Raae5, this petition was referred 70
the Committee having such matters in charge.
Secretary OF state Milers from majority OF the Com
tee on TIE matter Of increased elevator charges, sub
mtod written report The paper concluded with tns
recommendation that grain tolls the canal BE- in-
in the discretion the Canal Board the elevator
having violated their agreement with the sats.
made when the latter reduced the tolls
On motion of Controller Hopkins, the petition was laid
On thu table, and ordered plnted. He said he thought
was late In tho season to act upon IT, there being only
two months Oi nav cation remaining. Commissioning
STROUD presented the petition OF John NJ Barnard foz
the cancellation OF his Black River contract Tor ths
reason given in other petitions, 9nd on motion Of tas
Attorney -Genoral The petition was granted.
lie also presented similar petition from John Brown.
contractor for a dam Little Falls, AID It referred
under the head OF unfinished business.
Tho subject OF tho charges against several officials wac
announced by the Chairman.
al pratt hat
Farchid, WAS busy preparing paper and messenger
was dispatched to inform thai Official that the Board was
ready to hear from him.
MI Fairchd appeared and said hc hal prepared such
charges against certain canal officials he had been
able 10 from the testimony taken by the Canal Commis-
sion. He cOuld not vouch for the charges. He had
no other information than that secured az 10
stated. He had examined the law and found thss
the Canal Commissioners could remove :heis
subordinatcs, they could suspend them aud
report to the Canal Beard their action lie had there
fore prepared these charges against Division Engineers
Yates and Babcock He thought these officials
equally amcnabc to the charges Some charges eAiSs
against each which do not apply TO the oor and there
fore Mr. Fairchd intended to have separate charges
against each.
Treasurer Ranes moved that the consideration he post
poned until this afternoon at o'clock Thc Chairman
incurred whether il consequence Of the suspension Of
these officers, Inconvenience Is not eNpcrencodt
bIr Fairchnd said tie Commissioners have tine power
to I'LL the vacancies
The Chairman inquired II the testimony taken By the
Commission could not be used1
The Attorney General said that could be done.
Mr.. Geo. Miller counsel for Yates said that would
scarcely be fair lie thought bis client ought to have in
formation as 10 how the proceedings shall go on and
how he expected TO meet these charges. The Chair
man said is only for tie Board to adopt the best
ner possible to prosecd OF course whatever charges Gre
made will furnished tO the persons against ghOm they
are made.
Mr Miller said there another question, which
as TO the power to compel the attendance OF witnesses,
lie had not been able to lind any law authorizing this
Board 20 compel the Attendance OF Witnesses.
Mr. Fairchlld said there such power
Judge Yates said, in behalf OF Mr Yates, that no would
perhaps be ready TO proceed this afternoon.
Treasurer Rames raised the question, whether tits
Boa could go on with these before the state En-
eiueer and Commissioner in charge had reported
Them He referred to The statute in the and moved
postpCnement ill p. m, so as to give those officials
opportunity TO examine the statute. Lost, 10 s.
Some cOnyersaton en5ued preparation to proceed
with the
The counsel for the engineers suggested II there was
postponement, IL should be for several days.
Commissioner stroud moved a pOstponenent until .
week lom tomorrow. Carried
Mr. F.irchld read the statute which authorized the
Board 10 compel the attendance of witnesses Ho said
hc had drawn the charges presented from the testimony
taken the Canal Commission, but nc would not con-
nne his testimony the evidence thus taken. lie would
The Board then adjourned to a week from Wednesday.
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