New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-04-08
HELD THIS AFTERNOON.
[Bf TELEGRAPH To THR TRIBUNR.l

TIRsT EXAMINED-A BUSINESS SESSION 10 lie
HELD THIS AFTERNOON.
81 TELEGRAPH To THE TRIBUNEl
ALBANY, April THE JOINT Investigating
Committee OF the 'wo Houses beld secret meeting to-
ngnt IN the Library of Senate for the purpose of
conference with upon the hear method OF
procedure la investigation OF the canal frauds
Senator Cole Chairman, and all thu members were pres
besides Messrs Smith and Peckham, counsel The
latter gentleman stated that they had made eI-
amnatI0ns exhibits in the Canal Departneut-thc
auauy sccts contracts bids ana ma! accounts. aud
had made abstracts of the important OF these FOR
tie past nve wears under the experimenting yst"'n
They had mastered the nricaces Of these exhibits cuff
cicptlv they thought to develop a Feasible
method OF procedure for the COMMITTEE, huu
would suggest TINT the State officers comprising the
Canal Board he called 10 testify as 10 the methods by
which contracts were awarded.
Francs T. Thayer Canal Auditor will he called cs the
rst witness and VIII he required 10 explain
in what bids for ordinary and ex aordinary
repas are canvassd and the contracts awarded in the
Canal Board He will be asked TO explain under what
law ana by of reasoning contract calling
for $4,000 worth OF work the engineers qnanIfI
sheet il awarded 10 - bidder who agrees 10 do 10 for
$1,000 Nj. Thaycr testimony will be Of great import
ancc these points, expla natoiy or many or the
comp,exitics Of legal reaspning by which board
posed such eminent State officials the Canal Board
lowered Itself 10 the schemes Of the Ring.
After Mr.. Thayer. the Canal Commissioners Will tbe
called and the Secretary OF State Attorney General,
Treasurer, Controller, and even the Lieufenant Gov
ernor will placed upon the witness stand TO testify
substantially 10 the same matters Their testimony will
not consume probably beyond Tuesday next.
Henry smith will conduct the examination. and he
said the most merciess investigator known t0 the
Ear in Albany several Of the prescott members OF
the Canal Board have ncd their present positions three
or four years, /. Is supposed that admissions
will have 10 be made under ms sharp
questioning which will show whether these officials
have been veIlan in protecting the puDc trusts
they ehould have been. Members OF previous Canal
Boards Will also be called testify the Investigation
proceeds directly after the examination OF the pres
ent State officials three of the most deeply lmpl
Gated canal contractors will be caled-the Bedcns aud
DeIsone and perhaps Senator Jarvis Lord among them.
IL IL stated that the latter signed his desire to tes
tfy and has offered 10 give the Committee any assist
ance in the way OF suggestions information which his
thorough acquaintance with canal matters would
rant.
The Committee VIII hold its first business
session at $50 D. tomorrow, in the room OF
the Auditor the Canal Department in the State House
IL IL not yet positively known whether tie sessions Will
be omen or secret but the members OF the Committee
who have made any statement IN regard 10 the matter
admit that the investigate VIII lose iDucn Oh ls
weight and the Committee VIII subject Itself 10 much
suspicion unless the hearings are given In public The
Committee and counsel are Thoroughly IN Accord and
the most hopeful anticipate Flushing lilo III
yestigation In nitecn days.
lfor Ldnr Ga nt cdsa irssds rec Fyrh FagtI