New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-05-26
CANAL REFORM.

THOROUGH INSPECTION or THE ERIE, CHAMPrAIN,
AND SOME or THE LATERAL cANALs-AN I'M
MENsE AMOUNT OF INFORMATION OBTAINED
THE INVESTIGATION AT ALBANY TO BEGIN SOON.
fFRoh REGULAR CORRESPONDENT OF TIE rRrDUSE.I
ALBANY, May 25.-The Commission appointed
by the Governor to investigate the work upon the canals
returned last evening from Buffalo, and has resumed its
sessions in this city All the members are present Since
its organization the Commission has traversed the entire
length Of the Erie Canal twice, and that of the
Champlan Canal once, made examinations 70
some extent Of the Genesee and Chemung lat
era canals and taken o survey or the BLACK
Rock Harbor works at Buffalo and at Tonawanda IL
decided by the Commission that it should first ex
anime the walls and locks Of these canals while their
water beds still empty and the latter part of April
and the early part Of May devoted entirely TO THIS
work. The examinations were made by having portions
Of the wall represented the largest contracts pulled
down completely whole sections, thus showing how
near the character Of the material for lining and backing
compared with the quality of the materials called for in the
specifications The Commissioners had of course the eng
neerng knowledge and experience Of John D. Van Buren,
jr member Of the Commission assist them in these
INSPECTIONS but as they felt the necessity OF confirming
their own judgments upon matters involving such
important questions, they also invited Profs.
Wheeler and Niche Of the Military Academy at West
Point to accompany them to some Of the more important
points Of inspection These gentlemen did so. and will
probably have portion Of the report OF the Committee
devoted to their views upon the nature Of the work The
absolute necessity for making these inspections Of the
walls and locks before the water turned into the
canal which occurred the 18th Of May prevented the
Commission from investigating all the contract works
which they had do and indeed at Utica they
found themselves 80 pressed for time that the wall which
they had torn down barely rebuilt before 1t was
needed. The contracts which they investigated in
cluded the work OF of the most notorious con-
RfuQ-Belden. DenGOn, CanGee,
and Skinner. The work Of these men was torn down
and readused with alacrity and economy that must
have taught them lessons in the art OF wall building
At many OF the points examined, the people OF the
neighborhood took great deal OF interest in the work.
and very freely ventured suggestions and information to
the Commissioners. The contractors themselves APP
peared with the general crowd but in single instance
did any OF them offer suggestion, indeed did they
make their presence known TO the Commission. long
Of witnesses was obtained by Commission in the
presence OF the people Of the neghbOrhood Among the
witnesses and laborers who had helped
perform work the original contracts, and engineers
and assistant superintendent having charge Of these
portions OF the work. This list could not have
been otherwise obtained, as the documents in the
Canal Department do not show the names and the coun
sci for the Legislative Investigating Committee very
careful not 70 multiply OF information. Among
the most important inspections made was that OF the ia
nous George d. Lord contract at Black Rock I1arbor
where wall to have been built between the river
and the canal where that instead
OF making his excavation embank
ment for the wall, built the wall founda-
ton which commanded higher contract prices
and added $4,000 to his claim against the State by that
and other measures Of similar kind The inside OF this
wall inspected with what result is not positively
stated The West Point Professors who have been acus
toned TO the sold work which the Engineer officers OF
the United States army generally perform. also made an
inspection Of this wall and their feelings upon viewing
it must De left tho imagination II is known that they
declined to make any public expression of their opinion
concerning looked dsmayed for several days after
ward. The Commissioners who here have indeed all
remained retcent TO the result of their discoveries
and all statements upon that point are the result OF In
fcrences and indirect statements From these however
one need have no hesitation in rendering verdict Of
very bad work all along The reservoirs and the cut
the Commissioners finding 1T tR impossible uri5 70
the short time their disposal before the water was let
The inspection can be quite AZ well undertaken
now They have returned with great number OF notes
&C. IL Ia understood that they will immediately take
for the examination OF witnesses Thcy VIII
hold their public sessions IN the senate chanDe Inc
appropriation for their expenses In the supply Dill
t0,OO0l IL accompanied by one or those special acts
which make up most OF the bill providing that they must
examine in public any witness who has furnished sup
plies made repairs for tic State and allow him coun
sci IL he desires il but they may examine witnesses
separately. when the examinations will begin is
not certainly known. The Commissioners may conclude
later TO examine the reservoirs first the intention at
present looks TO an immediate taking OF testimony.
The Legislative Investigating Committee recently for
warded resolutions proposing "a conference for the
better unity OF action" to ar. Bglow, Chairman OF
the Commission, but reply has yet been de-
terrnined upon by the Commission. The question
has arisen whether The Legislature. in appointing the
Committee and providing for the appointment OF the
Commission two separate measures, intended that the
work Of each should be separate. To combine their
action might defeat intentions OF the Legislature 1t
impossible idea that the Legislature should nave
intended the yoing together one team OF Governors
Commission Of four and Legislative Committee OF eight
members the prosecution of the inquiry into canal
reform The resolution Of the Committee will Doubtless
coureousy declined and another effort of Canal Ring
blunt the edge OF the Commissions inquiries Will
have been defeated.