New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-05-21

THE SUMNER CAMPAIGN PLANNED BY lhE JOlNl
COMMITTEE - HARMONY OF ACTION WITH THE
GovERNOR's CONIMIssIOS-DOUBrs As TO THE
LEGALITY OF THE COMMITTEES ACTIoN-AN
OBSTACLE TO THEIR SUCCESS.
lBY TELEGRAPH THE TRIBUSRl
ALBANY. May 20.-The Joint Legislative
Committee investigate the management Of the canals
held NEE ting to-day plan their campaign for the sum
mer 1, was determined not TO begin work until three or
four weeks after the adjournment, TO allow members TO
visit their They will then meet at some point on
the canal and make personal examinations of work The
Committee intend also, make specially OF examining
into the awards Canal Appraisers in times past IN or
der that they may cooperate with the Governors Com
mission as iar as possible. The Committee, at its meet
Ing held tins adopted the following resolution
offered by Mr.. sherman
Whereas. essential to the successful conduct OF the
Investigation now progress touching the manage II emf
OF the canals and alleged frauds in connection there with
that there should be harmony OF ACTON oeO"een o
separate bodies charged with the investigation VIZ the
JOINT egs2,iye Committee and the Commission ap
9esoIced That the Chairman and counsel OF this Joint
or with such subcommittee thereof as they shall appoint
with reference TO plan oil aeOn WEch snaL eena % %
prevent the unnecessary duplication OF iabor ana ex-
pense, and avoid the interference "a eAei Ooo! VIII W
work OF the other.
There Is very general skeptcism among members OF
both Houses well with some members OF the Com
mittee ee the possible efficiency OF tner WORK
The question has been quietly raised Of late whether the
the nvessa CATION inasnuch the resolution empower
,pc them 10 do so-which by the way the Canal Ring
worked hard fOr-was adopted IN the House only Dy
ezra poee vote Nays being about as powerful as the
Yeas ana not by 90 Yea and Nay vote as some
OF the best ruled 1t should have been
-eat obstacle to the successful prosecution Of their
work "a the fact that both the counsel OF the Com
mittee the Hon. Henry Smith and Rufus
" Peckham are now and have been frequently
The attorneys for noted members Of the Canal Ring Mr.
Peckha appeared only week for Jarvis Lord in the
su against the state. and he retained by MT Smith
for willard Johnson an one of the notable in which
alterations were made in Mr. JOhnsons contracfs greatly
70 Mr. JOhnson's advantage Mr.. Smith has appeared
times nnuerable members Of the Canal Ring and Is
now counsel Tor willard Johnson a precisely SINH
lar 10 the Lord suit These gentlemen kept Jas j. BedeH
on the stand during the investigation about 20 min
ui4s drawing out his ideas canal reform
Henry D. Denison detained half an
hour on the delicate subject, while Willard
Johnson who could not tell all he knew in eight days
was questioned exactly eight minutes. MI Peekhau, II
should be said seemed hampered by ignorance OF the
practical details Of the subject for he always gladly ac
eepted any outside hints and pushed them but for MI
Smith no such can be urged. Almost the only
witness Mr. smith tired to back down was one OF
ratio Seymour, II. Those who have Mr. smith
bully OF witnesses the Capitol investlga-
appreciate the difference between Mr. smith as
an Investigator OF the Capitol and OF the
canals. This IL only eptome OF the senti-
ment OF those members who ,stOod by the Cover
nor in Canal Ring Tight They received the Of
fhe choice OF these counsel surprise and
ylnced that an Investigation conducted under such
auspices must necessarily be unsatisfactory. IL would
ludcrous conclusion II they should select Senator D. p.
Wood ~ their counsel in canal claim frauds