The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1875-10-22
CANAL CONTRACT WORK.
THE sPECIFICAzIONs IN NO CASE
COMPLIED WITH.
Treasurer Raines's Defence Of the Canal
Boards Action In the Black Rock HarbOr
Fraud-Engincer scott Inundated.

Treasurer Raines's Defence Of the Canal
Boards Action In the Black Rock HarbOr
Fraud Engineer scott Inundated.
ALBANY, Oct. 21.-The Canal Board, in
their visit to the work on the canal near West
Troy, made seven or eight tests, opening walls
Axe feet, and In no case were the specifications
compiled with. Although the walls In ma
jority OF cases were found to be good, In some
cases the cement was poor, and in others 1t was
very hard. They opened wall at the West
Troy weigh lock, built twenty-five years ago and
not repaired since, which was found to be OF an
inferior class Of work compared with that done
| under tho present engineers. The Willard
johnson contract work was visited and pro-
nounced by the State Engineer TO DO good
piece OF work, though, In the opinion Of some
OF the members Of the board, an unnecessary
expense had been incurred.
The Board met az 10 A. VI. to-day. Treasurer
Raines arose to n question OF privilege In calling
attention 20 the seventh report Of the Investi-
eating Commission, published this morning,
relative to the work in Black Rock Harbor. He
insisted that the action Of the Canal Board was
in accordance with the Constitution and the
law, and I'm accordance with all the precedents I;
| that the constitutionality OF the law had been
| tested by the Attorney General In the courts ;
| that II pronounced constitutional by the
Court Of Appeals that II was Interpreted 70 the
| Canal Board az absolutely mandatory In ita char
| acter; that, therefore. the Board had no dis
erection. lie denounced the law, but supported
Attorney-Cienerai Pratt said that while he did
not believe the commission would Intentionally
aspcrse unjustly any man, still II was remark
| able that they had not alluded To the law. lie
had, as there was sufficient sum on deposit TO
protect the State, suggested to the Auditor TO
| pay and ~ the only fault found with the work
by the commission Is that stone o. the required
size was not used, It Is clear the State was SAFE,
| IA $4,000 was held for that purpose.
| The board then resumed the consideration OF
| the charges against Engineers Yates and lab
cock and the examination OF Col Yates was re-
sumed.
ny Mr. Fairchiid-Did you and Babcock have con.
| tract OF which lad inqulrcd Of SEYMOUR Ayes,
81 nad sp9esa 70 WIN Win Standardization for
| comforting with the deputy Attorney General about
wrong 6t consulting With you over my mead.
.Q.-nid Babcock concur with you IN this opinion
| A.-Nes, SIR
| The Secretary Of state read from the testimony
| given 10y Engineer Scott before the commission,
| monthly estimates, aud asked Ijabcock how he
made them, and why be accepted and passed
MIR Ba6cock said no knew Of no such errors
| He took these estimates from MIR. Scott, sup.
posing him to be competent man, who would
| make no mistakes, M be dld not think Ills (dr.
| Babcock'sl supertOre would appoint him unless
he was competent. IA they had done at the re-
| quest of the Governor.
To Mr. Miller We always reserve or allow fifteen per
To the scr,try " state-G DO know Of instances
where hemocS mas been SUBS li9iei when 3as ~ Pune
| IL called for 1 luuA know 81 chestnut Del suuHtls
ued have used chestnut Instead OF oak considering
To Wr Raines-we use hcmlock M foundation In
vet ut ON. " s the chrlp ~ M p,si ila'.r nan,
To Mt. Mic. lhc surNc, OF ,.e hul.ts nen ~
with etung- 1t was general survey t9r the use of
advised rcsuryey for test.
Treasurer Ralnes called william 8. Scott, and
he was sworn. lie explained the matter read by
| the Secretary OF state, and said he had made a
measurement Of the wall "a far as he could. As
regards the error u 5000 feet Of hemlock, II
tod hnl al
contract. The copy OF the estimate was not cor
rect, and this led MIN into the same error.
To ne Of me- s9ss R S ase91 f
estimate. which l had not. accepted the estimates
~ Nj a,aea 3id y9q make an syOlanai,qn Of This
Q-why does It appear In toe printed minutes
Al 90 not kq 1S w.. or no, ,nn.,r there
The On irinan f9u dont knSs thst !, does not
Me- 90 pr Saye Gsd s to Tor
same reason that ip giving the iesm9ny o. Pred LORD
FRED LORD ana rejected that Of the state ofSers
The Pay roi. aud Sils and Al DC xSuSSsI:
put the stStemcats Of the two as being on Ii,
sa 90 u Tsas ts
msn al and III h Sse NO mo- Tor
sioners in any way shape or ma,naer masking snch
20 ms work ana ssiag I, 9Sg9t to eoss 80 much .nS
show. the amount paid every day pscRcd by The am
davt OF the foreman ana al the vouchers from begin
bes say. the Canal Board accepted and ect
ed the other l. not rght. And repeat what said be
fore IL unfortunate that these men should be candi
oates for Office az this time.
by Mir liaines-Mr Scott how were You treated whit
before the commission2 Were you intmldated In any
Way A.-les sir.
Q-Howp Al WAS repeatedly reminded that wal
under oath, and wac charged with perjury; that Wal
coming there with words put In my mouth by Messrs
Yates aud Babcuck. This | denied at considerable
length That ought to appear 10 the report.
q Have you your testimony since IL as given
A.-So sir. asked for 1t frequently but was told tina
II was ready.
To Nj Miller never was told by Yates or Babcoc
What must testify TO.
TO treasurer lalnes-I examined the sand spoken Of
reported to BAuc Ick that Il was l0amy He said
was the best could do, and would have TO use II
To Mr.. Miller That was In Aprii, and We had order
hurry up order ~ prepare Tor the opening OF nav
CATION.
Vim u. Coouer testified | was Division Enginee
from 1872 10 1874. WIN. H. Taylor State Engineer
BabcoCk was with me a portion Of the time. remcW
Der the survey FOR the Champlin canal enlargement
It IN 1871 Babe lck made the survey afterward
spoke the engineer about IT, That was in ls72, an
ABOUT two or three months after Bahcocki discharge.
Mr. Taylor sald he WAS ordered TO discharge Mr Bat
cock. Thought II wac on political srVunds that Il
was discharged.
The Lieutenant Governor said that unles
there W $ some further testimony he would dc
clare the case closed.
MIR. Miller said he would like TO call ex-Stat
Engineer Taylor
The lieutenant G overnor thought 1t was un
necessary.
Mr. Raines moved that the board adjourn I'll
after the election.
: The examination was then postponed till No