The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-08-15
THE CANAL FRAUDS.

MAPS AND PAPERS or THE SCHUYLER CON-
TRACT.
ALBANY August a. 1875
At the session Of the Canal Investigating Committee
to-day Allen c. Beach, Lieutenant Governor and Pres
ident OF the Canal Board in 1862 appeared for examna
ton as to whether survey map pan &C. OF the Port
Schuyler work was presented TO that Board when the
contract was let Mr. McGone of the committee
Quoted the examination and after reading descrip-
ton of the work asked, ''Are you able to say now
whether there was any map PLAN &C. presented to the
BoardYn
Mr.. Beach, say that there was
MI. McGone-What sort of map plan, &c.
Mr. Beach, have not them since the tmc and
could not describe them.
Mr. McGone-If the State Engineer that no
such survey map, plan, &c, file, and that there
is record of there having been any such on le
would you swear that there was planY
Mr. Beach, would still say
Mr. McGone-Suppose map of that section without
any reference a survey of the work, presented
would you be prepared to say it such as re-
quired by the law?
Mr. Beach, could not swear positively to that with
out seeing the map.
MT Acknowledgement, all the engineers swear that
there was no survey made for this work. and can you
In the face of such testimony, say there a map
presented which complied with the lawH
Mr. Beach, cannot say anything about what they
duty.
Mr. McGone-You assume that YOU know that there
were such mapsP
Mr. Beach, do not assume anything; simply
swer the questions you put to me-
MI McGone-But mean in your letter published the
other day. Now, | ask you whether maps plans &c,
were presented such as are required by the law for
Mr. Beach-My distinct recollection is that there
were maps &c, presented such as the law requires.
| mean by this that when the customary resolution,
together with the engineers certificate presented
TO let this work read it and looked the accompa
nying papers, as | always did, and that found them
regular also say that there could not have been an
instance of the papers not being present. for II they
were not they would be sent for The records of the
Canal Board will show that there map, plan and
estimate present in this case. But cannot say
from recollection what such papers contained in DETAIL
but am certain the papers were there. wish to say
further, that have found these papers filed in the
Auditors Office.
Mr.. McGone-The Auditor in his evidence, testines
that he can find in his office such papers the law
requires The State Engineer testihes the same in
gard to his Office. Now, as we have been furnished
with such information are you still of the opinion that
plans estimates &c, for this work submitted to
the Canal Board?
Mr. Beech--I am. have known papers to be lost
frequently, at least have heard of it.
Mr. McGone here read the testimony of the engineer
who managed surveys, and he swore no surveys had
been made of this work before the letting He also read
said they also had testimony to the effect that papers
were submitted which purported to be plan, &C
MT Beach-Your report says that there was no map,
&c Now, if there was map should have noticed
that fact and there would have been proceedings
u
Mr. Beach, was certain there was map
Mr. McGone-We do not dispute that But 1t was not
such as should have been presented 1t was map or
tracing of some kind handed in to deceive the Canal
Board
Here Mr. McGone read from the law which defines the
kind Of papers which must be submitted to the Canal
Board and cooquy took place between him and the
witness the requirements of the law 1t was adj
mited the Commission had correctly construed the law
Mr. hcGone then said we look for map, &c, such as
Is required by the statute, but do not find any The
rauThn IN oka tharac
were none made SO, you see the position we
placed in What conclusion could to under the
Mr.. Beach-Under such circumstances guided by the
testimony before you, other conclusion could be
reached 6y you think you are right IN your concu-
siona When wrote my letter knew nothing of these
facts, nothing Of the testimony you had before you to
govern your conclusions, and / am not now swearing
that there was any map &C. before us as required by
law. simply say that we had before this case,
always had something certified correct by the
State Engineer which purported to be a map, &c
Some further conversation took place, in which Mr..
Bigelow participated as to the records kept by the
Canal Commissioners
about State Engineer Richmond not submitting any
such map, pan &c, as the law required.
Mr.. McGone-Our conclusion was Governor, that you
acted in good faith, but that you were imposed upon.
Mr.. Bcach-We were under the impression that you
thought otherwise
Mr. McGone-We state in the report that he did not
submit such maps plans &c, as are required by law
Mr.. Beach, can't say how that is, but will say
ths-that think Mr. Richmond knew his duty, and
believe he 10 man who would do his duty faithfully.
believe him 10 be as honest there is the face
of the earth, and would think of corrupting
the Almighty as would Mr. Richmond Il was here
stated that Mr.. Richmond not expected to take the
stand to-day, but would at future day. Mr. Beach
then said he thought there wrong impression
ated by the report of the Commission; that
the inference would DO drawn that charges had been
made In contracts so To increase the cost of
certain piece Of work. Now, when the Commission
certified their papers To me- bound to accept
them as correctto take their word; was not capable
the Canal Board, TO determine what had been
done before Mr.. McGone asked him If he could ex-
plain how II that the cost of work the contracts
so largely increased Mr.. Beach said he supposed,
though he did profess to know positively the
tractors either knew there to be greater amount of
vertical wall needed, or they would depend upon the
people the work who would be anxious to have the
work extended. In that way what would be simple
or limited piece of work, would be swollen to much
larger proportions. Contractors like work and they
like To work for the State; they will get all the work
thn~c