New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-08-21
THE EXAMINATION.

THE EXAMINATION.
SHARP CATECHIsM OF THE WITNESS. AND LIVELY
FENCING WITH THE OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
TIES ADMIrTEp-rHE CANAL BOARD DECEIVED
by THE LANGUAGE OF A RESOLUTION
ALBANY, n. Y, Aug. 2O.-The Hon. Van
Rensselaer, Richmond, who was state Engineer IN 1863
60 10 and II, testified before the Canal Investigating
Commission to-day. detailed report of his examna
ton presented. The proceedings were opened ~ The
Chairman Of the Commission, Mr.. Bgeow.
Mr. Beelow-We have been trying, Mr.. Rich
I'd vain for months to find the maps etc, of
10 contracts made in 1869. The State Engineer and
Division Engineers there are none on ME IN tner
Offices MI Crocker the Division Engineer, swears none
were made The exhibits OF the contracts exclude the
idea that any survey of the work ever made and
with these facts before reported our conclusions
TO the Governor. Then in The 4rgus appeared card
signed by yourself and dr. Beach, asserting that our
statements were unounded in fact and untrue We sent
for Mr. Beach, and he fai led to show that we were
wrong We ask you now If YOU know OF the existence OF
these papcrs II so produce them II you 90 no, know
state whether you know or believe that sueh were
Mr. Rehmond-It lie my firm belief.
Mr. BgelOw-Pease state what You Know 49,,
want to SAY hf saa is w my S Ssqy 0G pa
Mr. Bigeow-So that Is not what want to know.
Mr. Rchmopd~The square fact is that you claim it
was s not ; a map, WI II
Mr. Rchmcnd-rhere ia Oh file in the Auditors office
map the entire Erie Canal adopted by the t eg nco
sary and that has always been the case The law OF
as1 t conas as thus adopteI Now here were perfect
maps Of the entire canal on record IN the Iana Depa
mcnt, and TO make or adopt others would Dc simply 10
Nj BigeIow~Did the map you alludc to show the
Mr. Rchmond don't know the terms OF the contract
Mr. Beelow1IlOw could you ascertain the QUANTITIES
Mr. kebmOld-So far as Strengthening the me was COLI
1erned, an instrumental survey would DE made
l.
the quantities needed without actual measuremenst
Mr Riehinond-No. know nothing of any map being
exhibiied TO the Canal Board before tie letting
MI Orr-Was there any map sueh as contemplated by
MI Rchmond-Yes, Sir, regard that map in the Audi
Nj Masome1Does not the resolution adopted
plate change In the line OF the eanaif
Mr. Masone~is not the Strengthening Of a line changing
Mr. Magone-Did you not vote for this resolution
stating there were maps, &C., pre'en'ed'
MI Magone-Then did not the Law provide for requiring
maps dc, to be cxhibitedi
Mir. kichmond-Yes Sir.
MIR Magone-Did you believe you had the right TO
stIaignten the canal without giving map plan the
samei - M, ,,o, ,,, ,o mn r;,, b, mn, =
Mr. M.gone-But they did.
Mr. Magonc-Did you not know there changei
Mr.. Riehmord-No, Sir could not know IT,
Mr. MayOne-Did you not make a regulation that pra-
nlos &c. should be deposited in the State Engineers Of
Mr. Richmond--Yes
Mr. Magone-Were there any proflesi
Mr. Kichnond-I cannot say. IL was not possible for
NE TO know OF all these things.
peers sna report to the state Engineer ali work, and lie
shall file the same in his object
Mr.. Rlcnmond-In all new work that was done l..
Mr.. MagonoWas there any plan Oh file VI the work In
MT Kichmond-No siri
Mir Magone-Was there any thing done besides present
Mr. KichInond-I do not know If there was anything
MIR. Magone-,were there any maps; etc.
Mir. RChnond-I can't say. see there are meme now.
don't know that ever saw any:
Mr. Masone~Then why do you say over your signature
IN your letter in 1Ae Arms that there was mapi
MIR. Richmond maintain thai there was map The
map have referred % as a general map CHOW, e..
amount excavation ETC., called Tor under the appo
MI R.clmond-I think 1t all that necessary.
NO SPECIFIC SURVEY MADE.
Mr. Magone read from the regulations adopted by Mr..
Richmond State Engineer, which were very specific as
70 surveys, measurements, maps, &c
Mr. Magone-were these regulations not adopted by
you ye years the Legislature declared the canals
were fnshedf
Mr. Richmond Yes; they were regulations copied from
Engineers Regulations.
Mr.. Magono-Wers they not necessary
Mr.. RchmOnd-Yes, IN all new work.
Mr. Magone-were not all these things necessary to be
@r. Richmond-Yes; where actual measurements
Mr.. Magone-were there any surveys or measurements
Of excavations made Ia this case
Mr.. Richmond cannot say
Mr.. MagOns-ADy Of embankmentsi
Mr.. Richmond-No, Sir.
Mr.. Magone-was It possible for engineer, not ex.
scpting Nj. Richmond, " tell how much without
nlrveyt
Mr.. RichInoDd-No.
Mr.. Nagone-Was any survey madei
Mr.. kichmOnd-I do not know.
Mr.. Magone-why did you say there was In your card
10 TRe Argue!
Mr.. Richmond-I do not know that said go.
Mr.. Magone-This is what you said you denied the
statemen Of the Commissioners TO the effect that
survey made.
Mr.. DRIVE want TO know whether you intended to
oiscredt the Commission
Mr.. Rehmond-i knew nothing Of your testimony al
NAT time. $500
Mr.. Bgelow-You supposed We knew less than we did
Mr. RichInond-I supposed that the contract was Iet
recording law and there that IN the report which
hurt my feelings.
The witness was then asked in detail questions ~ TO
Dc work done under the contract, ana said nc knew