The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-03-28
Old Salt, of Onondaga, Speaks
Freely.
He Declares That the Recommendation Made
by the Governor We're Attempted To Be
Carried Out as Early as 1858.
Action Of the Mercantile
Exchanges.

parauVey inactive, ana the Governor, though he
was at the Capitol this morning is taking advan-
tage OF the respite to get little rest. He is not
disinclined however, to review the incidents or
the last few days, and shows quiet confidence in
the success OF his policy against the Canal Ring
that augurs well lot pure government in the
future The gist OF the whole issue in relation to
canal management Is In the question OF un-
balanced BIDS 1t Is upon this point that Governor
Tllden's Message hinges, and 1t Is the issue that
Senator Laning tried to explain away in his
speech on Friday. The Senator took the
ground that, according to the constitution
the canal lettings must be made to the
lowest bidder, and substantially assumed
that 1t was impossible to refuse the acceptance Of
old that was In the aggregate the lowest
received by the Canal Commissioners. If this was
true Governor Tilden's exposure would fan to the
ground in so far the responsibility OF indiytd.
ualS Is concerned, but nobody Is more ready to
snow That 1t Is not true than the Governor him
SELF He points out the TACT that Judge Peckham
decided unbalanced bias to be fraudulent in a
case which came before him on mandamus to
compel the acceptance OF a bid in which he was
sustained by the Court OF Appeals, and sug-
gests attention to the additional point that the
proposals Tor bias always contain a provision that
unbalanced bids are not to be canvassed. There
can De no doubt that Doth OF these positions are
well taken. and Us the Canal frauds were always
plan OF unbalanced bids, no argument can
undo the force OF the Governors Message. 1t Is
OF success over the Ring. There is, however,
another motive apart from the strength OF his
position which strengthens his faith in the wisdom
and righteousness OF the course he Is pursuing.
he feels tnat he Is serving the people and the
people are with HIM. on this point had some
conversation with him this morning, In the course
OF winch ne pointed out the TACT tnat the force
which compelled reform IN 1871 is widening and
deepening until the people Will see to 1t that the
pubic service Is pure IN every department.. He
thinks the people are not yet thoroughly aroused
to the impor, ance OF the OCCASION but says as it
was the fashion TO be corrupt lew years ago so
now IL Is becoming fashionable to be honest and
the fashion VIII lncreas SO rapidly IN popular
favor that next year the sentiment against
official corruption VIII be stronger than 1t
IS to-day in spite OF the opinion OF Speaker Nc
frauds" Is harmless, the Governor knows that the
more the question Is argued the more interest
pie. HIS hold Is upon the people, and there can
be no doubt that he VIII be lully sustained by
assaults Of the Canal Ring while the battle lasts
and the longer the contest Is waged the better Tor
a ne ns @ IS now
their action IN the Assembly on THURSDAY night
namely. thai the contest was over-has not come
about, and the war Will be waged next week with
greater real Jury than ever though Its ferceness
may not be so apparent on the surface. Nothing
Is doing now, however, and nothing more viii be
done until Senator W0Odln again opens the bali
on Monday evening.
''What, Governor dv you conceive will be the
effect OF this agitation OF the canal question in
the Legislature? WIZ II be calculated TO lead to
the correction OF abuses?" were questions put to
Assembyman Alvord by HERALD repor ter, who
yesterday met him al the, Metropolitan Hotel.
The Governor hesitated for moment about talk.
ing to representative OF the press, but finally
answered.
think it will do good. think the Executive
declaration OF what has been known and talked
about Tor years, and what has been endeavored to
be rlghted by radical efforts both in the Lcgisa-
ture aud Constitutional Convention, now that it
comes from the Executive OF the State to both
houses OF the Legislature, will have the
effect to concentrate the action OF the Legislature
IN THE DIRECTION OF REFORM.
In 1858, when | was Speaker and Senator Ian
agan chairman OF the Committee on Ways and
Means Mr.. flanagan introduced a bill which l
supported. We and Others then advocated
remedial legislation with the same end In view
Governor Tiidens Message recommends, but
the political position OF parties defeated it. In
the Constitutional Convention of 1S61-s the Canal
Committee, OF which was member, reported an
article, which was submitted by the Convention
to the people. This article concentrated the en-.
tire control and management OF the canals In one
single head, doing away with the intrlcaces OF the
present system. which not only
DIVIDES BUT INTERLACES
the powers and control Of the canals, In the Canal
Board, the Board OF Canal Commissioners, the
Contracting Board, subject to the consent OF the
Canal Board, the individual Canal Commissioners
who are supreme In their own DECISIONS subject
however, to having all subordinates, both engt-
neers, with the approval OF the State Engineer
Board-many, too, elected for their political Ell.
hclency ana influence more than Tor their ability
to perform their duties, This, too. III board
unit, stand one-third TO two-thirds, and, in ad-
dltion, an auditor, who is pretended to be cheek
over ala system Wnlcn pretending to be In favor
OF careful and economical administration
simply difiuses power and destructs the idea OF
where power really resides, to the absolute
DESTRUCTION OF ANY REAL RESPONSIBILITY.
The amendment Was not adopted by the people,
but It was again recommended by the Constltu-
tonal Commission, appointed by Governor HOh-
man under the law, but was defeated IN the Legs-
lature. so thatit was not the second time submit
ted TO the people. This plan now meets the
appreciation OF Governor Tllden and all his sup
porters-many of whom were instrumental IN Its
are endeavoring by mere legislative enactment to
put the same machinery into form and lorce
/ WILL 60 WITH THEM
inst as far as the farthest IN that desertion; but
Deileye that the true course to pursue IN addition
thereto is Tor the present Legislature TO adopt the
same plan as already presented by AssemDlyman
seward. which only requires the assent OF the next
Legislature TO again submit the question to the
people Tor their adoption. Then the plan becomes
an organic law and Is not subject to the political
necessities and vagaries OF future legislation. My
opinion as to what Is being done Is thls:--In re-
gard TO a large number OF
CASES CITED BY GOVERNOR TILDEN,
and including many not yet examined by him, IL
Will be found that looking at the matters in
strictly legal ,gnt, they viii nave been lound to
have coniOrmed TO the letter, II not the spirit and
morality Of the law and while Is may De that
with want OF due regard OF moral duty, legally
neither can be ned to respond In any action OF
mlsleasancc, malfeasance or larceny. While say
this much have grave doubts whether there may
not be many ms iances in which COLLISION between
State officials aud private contractors Will be
shown, which
NAY BE CORRECTED AND PUNISHED.
But still believe that the great fault OF the past
and OF the present Is IN the utter failure add alb
solute viciousncss OF the systSm-a system which
Involves as well tue action OF legislators ana gov
errors as OF State canal officials and con,rac tors
Mr.. Alvord was questioned as to the political
significance OF the issue being raised az this time
and as TO the probability oil 1t causing breaking
up OF parties IN this State, and these points he
declined TO express an opinion.