davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-03-31

exclusive of the excavation, is S2tf % greater than
that of building it with slope walls. TIE opportu-
mites for fraud also much greater la building
canal with vertical walls than with slope walls
This explains why many contractors who have
agreed TO build slope walls afterward build vertical
ones Instead. Let me explain, with the aid OF the
diagrams at the top of the page, the character OF
some Of the frauds:
II is known as the Common law of the canals"
that contractors shall not furnish lining. although
every contract calls for it, and 1t IL absolutely
necessary to insure the durability Of the work by
emitting TO put in the lining the contractor saves
for stcas) SIS 70 on every GO feet OF work he does
il he is constructing slope wall, and Sfo ~ ON every
CO feet if he is building vertical wall. This item
alone amounts to large sum on many OF the
cont tracts.
Rv examining the diagrams it will also he seen
that much less timber is used in constructing slope
walls than In vertical walls, and that 1t constitutes
no small part of the expense of building the latter
Take Denison's contract in Utica, for example: lie
bid for 800 cubic yards of vertical walls ana up 10
the LIST of February 1915, he had lald o"of c"o'c
wards. The result was that, instead of using 1880
feet Of white oak timber and boards, he had used
10 800 feet; and instead Of 3S000 feet OF hemlock
timber he had used 10000 feet If very little TIM
her il called for in the original quantity sheet. and
ia bid for at an excessive price the contractor OF
course. pockets large profit on that ITEM
Apoio il is dihicult 10 find anywhere upon the
canals any walls, either vertical or slope that are
constructed according to the specifications. Inc
slope walls should be Is to IS inches thick; they
ara rarely more than foot thick; no stones should
he used in them which extend less than foot INTO
the wall two-thirds of the stones used by many
contractors and especially by Denison d Belden'
are much smaller than this. In the vertical Walls
mn stoue should be less than six inches in thickness
and Which have less bearing surface OK three Ieet
il; the walls have examined less than onethird OF
the stones have been of the proper aIlieh-
sons ana O large portion of them have Deeh
onlv two or three inches thick IL IL Impossible
from n superfcial examination to learn WHAT the
hearing surface of the stones is, or what proportion
of them are "headers" but IT is safe TO say 'n' 'o
sneci6cations have not been complied with I'D one
case in five A vertical wall put up by one OF inc
Ring contractors was recently examined ana IL was
found that all of the large stones were used IN Duo
inc the face the small in building the oacK
and that the space between was hlled WIN 'ooso
broken stone Such a wall as this would soon iah
down Of its own weight, or be knocked down inc
first time boat struck IT.
These are only few of the frauds which vis'tor
may discover by going to almost any section Oh 'no
canals and making q superficial examination.
&. l. W.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-03-31
TIE uEXICAN Raid INTO TEXAS.

Iccorvr OF THE ATTACK on NEUCEs GIVEN BY
TIE POSTMASTER 49, PRISONERS TORTURED-RE-
PORTS or THE ADVANCE OF LARGE BODIES OF
MEXrCANs-oNE OF HE INVADERS CAPTURED
AND HANGED.
GALVESTON, Texas, March 30.-A special dis
pat to The Necs from Corpus Christi dated the 1910
.ays: letter from the Postmaster at Neuces, VINO was
robUed and had his burned by the raidlng Me1
cans, says:
On The Goth inst about p rn, while eonyerslng WIN
"A Mr.. Smith discovered three McXicans Approaching
NY store went INTO the sttingrOOm Tor my I!ne, anu
following him. with qua pointed and PREPARED 70 ne
Ny wne mtercred ana prevented MN ne then ponto
ufe BY taking hs then aimed at the nearest 0f the
cGtthrOats the store when discovering about on %
HE To self which did In suoeIraenan
passage. where found smith. The robbers completely
.scked my store packing vaiuables into wagons.
About time the mail rider from San Antonio arrived
They took him prisoner ana the mails never reached
gave chase aud murdered hD. The store was fired ana
Twas compelled 10 leave my place OF concealment,
which DID unn0tced. i remained near aud Witnessed
the destruction OF my home. The Mexlcans lett believ
ng be consumed IN tue flames. My children were
shot twice while they lay PROSTATE on the ground
from fright. Before leaving store the Mexicans took
the cruel treatment stripping some OF them aud
compelling them 10 20 barefOOted before them. One
man who tainted from exhaustion was beaten and left
Oh the roadside. N j. NoAkEs.
One Of the leaders captured, aud lodged In Jail
here On Saturday meeting OF citiz9ns. held here to-
day TO consider what disposition should be made Of the
prisoner resulted In his Immediate trial by the people.
court formed the prisoner arragned counsel for
the prosecution and the defense appointed. and
Jury mpanelled The evidence showed the prisoner to
Dc guilty Of murder. robbery. false imprisonment
and torture OF Americans. He vas sentenced to be
hanged, aud the sentence was Immediately executed
a citizen Of this place who has just returned from
aellco, where he went to purchase mules, visited
nohterey and MOndOva. where be learned that about
UDen had lett that section for Texas. their purpose
~ being stated. He thereupOn returned rapidly home
sNanargo aud vicinity all tue pelsdos' have disap
itd and bands OF 400 aud 600 reported crossing
we Ner near Roma aud Edinburg II ~ stated further
vt f5id on tnis place Is contemplated and that the
a.eah leader OF the outlaws boosted that his Duges
you'd sound In the streets OF Corpus Christi when the
N"ple least expect It,
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-03-31
wEsrCuEs1ER COUNTY TOWN ELECTIONS.

The elections for town officers in the "a
towns Of westchester County took place yesterday.
and as far as asceraned everything passed OF peace
ably In consequence OF the late hour at which tho
votes OF the towns counted little reliable
Information could be gathered last evening in regard
TO the result
In the town OF Bedford, Moses W. Fish, Republican,
the present incumbent is reported to be reelected su-
pervisor. In Cortlapdtown, the Democrats ~ De-
eyed, have reelected Cotfn Brown for supervisor.
In the town Of marlborough L. Holmes tue greseas
Republican Supervisor. IS said 70 DC recesteu.
IN Msmaro1eck Charles ii. Birney, presens
Republican Supervisor, Is reported " Do rfe.eetsu'
In the town OF Newcastle, Francis M.
Carpenter. liberal Republican, 10 reported " pe re-
elected. In New Rochelle, George b: Alderman, Demo-
crat u reported To DO elected BY large majority In
North Salem OLle Close, Republican, who hss repre-
SO nted the for many wears, Is rejected whous
Opposition. In Pelham. A. Hyatt the present Deme.
cratic Incumbent Is reported TO he reelected oy smaip
majority IN PouudridKe, Miles Adams Democrat 10 re-
elected Supervisor without opposition. In somerss
Thaddeus Craue, Democrat aud Union candidate, ~
elected Buper isor without opposition. In Wes,chcsters
there vas triangular hght between II. Furmsn, ths
Refor ners aud Taxpayers candidate, and Hugh Lunny
aud Talmau p. Hyde, Democrats. Mr. Hyde was nrso
nominated by tho Democrats and subsequently, Mr..
Lnpuy was substituted for him, thus creating STRIFE
ber the last named. Tho result OF the csnvaso
IA NOT vet ssceraned At White Plans Robert C0ehraA
Democrat was elected Supervisor w u mx,SsiN.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-03-31

feet from that point, and TINS made cut an amount
of excavation at least twice as great could posi-
bly, have been performed 1t is very difficult to as
certain the exact amount of such frauds this. per-
petraed by the engineers for the benefit Of the con-
tractors, because after the old bench" has been
removed, no superficial examination afterward Will
disclose its size, but such cross sections "a that
have described bear the evidence of their dishonesty
upon their very face. IL the canal banks were ever
shaped as those drawings represent them to have
been no boats could ever have passed through.
When the canals have been enlarged, two kinds OF
walls have been built-slope walls and vertical
walls The plan has been to use slope walls IN the
country and vertical walls in the city, where the
land is more valuable. The method of construction
may be illustrated by the first diagram at the top of
the page, which represents section of canal built
with slope walls.
In the cities the canals to he built with YER
tica walls, in order that they might be used for
docking. The second diagram at the top of the
page represents section of this class OF work.
Omittng the excavation, the work required is 10
build the two walls represented, laying them on
o foundation OF timber; build the pavement on the
top on the tow path side supply the lining of gravel
behind the walls on both Sides aud the top Of the
embankment on the w-path side; and build the
entertainments. The thickness of the wall aud lin
ing on each side should be l?I0n feet the wall IL
self on the tow path side being II feet thick and
the side Of the bernie bank II feet thick Built in
this way the quantity sheet for chain of G6 feet
with the cost of construction at fair prices, would
be, emitting the excavations as follows:
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-03-31
THE BLACK HILLS.

THE GOVERNMENT DESTROYS or DISTINGUISHING
THE INDIAN TITLE-TRRsPAsSRRS ENDANGERING
THE SUCCESS OF NEGOTIATIONS AND WARNED TO
LEAVE.
CHICAGO, March 30.-An order will be issued
from Gen. sheridans headquarters tomorrow nclosng
a communication from the Interior Department In rea-
ton 10 Black Hills country After referring to the
appointment OF geologis to explore that region and
the desire Of the Government to exuxuish the Iu
dian title II gold exists there, the Secretary says that
the Department OF the Interior has recently obtauod in
formation leading to the belief that tho trespassers nov
In the country will endanger the success OF any negoa
tOns He therefore requests that tho military depart
ment monty those nterOpers " leave I'm nedldey ana
Inform them refusal TO do will lead " their
expulsion by military force.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-03-31

has been left to ex-Gov Avord and Senator Laning.
who played their parts so well that nobody was de-
ceived. The great desire OF the Ring is to save
themselves, but they have not yet abandoned the
hope of saving the system, though they sec that
they have lost their political influence. which was
dear to them only because it was profitable While
they dare not defend themselves, they are already
laying their plans to defeat any measures which
shall break down the system which they
live, aud the hotels are full of tonight that
the Ring is quietly working upon the purchasable
portion Of the Legislature with view to defeat or
obstruct all canal bills. Such tactics would be an
old story with the Canal Ring. The chief curse
that they have brought upon the State say thought
fGl men, is. not that they have stolen the canals
poor, but that they have corrupted so much that
was pure and withercd so much that was
promising. Besides their debauchng of Legis-
latures and tampering with Canal Boards,
there the corruption and intimidation Of whole
army of young men not only those holding subOr-
dinate positions the canals but aspirants in poll
ties whose principles were undermined and stand
ards degraded by the nsidiOus influences of the
most insinuating of rings The Canal Ring was not
alone political conspiracy it was social pest, a
moral nuisance, and the sooner it is under the
ground the clearer the air will be-
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-03-31

When the canals were first built the contractors
failed generally to perform their work according to
agreement and one very common way in which
they robbed the people by constructing the wall
IN the form of an inverted rectangular pyramid.
This have represented in the annexed diagram,
which represents in outline one bank of canal
constructed in this way. 1t will be seen that the
amount of stone required for such wall as this
would be only about one-half as great as would
have to be used in wall like that represented IN
Fig /. After such wall was completed 1T was
impossible to detect its fraudulent character by anv
merely superficial examination. The only part OF 1t
which was exposed was the face next to the water
and that was made to appear the same, no matter
how thick or how thin any part of the wall was
SECTION or THE CANAL AS ACTUALLY BUILT lfIG' ~
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-03-31
1852 10

The leading dimensions of work of this kind
where the surface of the canal is 70 feet wide as
follows: The base of the cnbankment the tow
path side is &c feet inches wide and abou. feet
hqh in the highest part. On the bernie side the
embankment is 90 feet inches wide at the base
and its hight is the on the other side. The
Inning should be one foot in thickness. The walls
should be 8 1900 feet thick ut tho bottom and
25-IO feet thick at the top, and One-tbird of the
stones of which they are built should be "headers"
that is, should extend all of the way through the
wall. No stone less than inches thick should be
used and the smallest should have bearing surface
of square feet When the work Il properly done
the quantity sheet for one chain Of e. feet would be
Az follows:
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-03-31
PARTISAN TACTICS IN THE SENATE.

DIVISION OF OPINION AMONG THE REPUBLICAN,
SENATORS AS TO TIE TREATMENT OF THE REsO-
LUTON FOR THE APPOINTMENT OF A COa-
MITrEE OF INyEsTIGATIoN-THE POLICY OF
DIVIDING THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY.
tBY TELEGRAPH TO TIE TRIBONE.I
ALBANY, March 30.-The House resolution
for the appointment OF an investigating committee by
the Speaker, to act jointly with similar committee
OF the Senate-which was tho Rings device to save
sef-stil lies on the table IN the Senate, and 1t is
question at present agang the minds Qf the Republican
leaders that body whether it shall not be allowed to
lie there quietly during the rest of the session. The
arguments for partisan advantage strong both for
passing and killing it, aud divided opinion regarding
party expedeEcy Is the main cause Of delay in its
consideration Anumber OF the prominent Republicans
argue that II should be allowed 10 expire quietly Ee
Lieutenant Governors table its passage would
merely give advantage TO the Democratic Speaker OF
House, and the Governors Commission, which
1t is conceded will be passed In tho Assembly prob
ably to-day, will conduct all the Investigation
that may be necessary The Republican Senate will
have the naming OF two Republicans that Commls-
sion and the confirming Of all four so the Republican
responsibility and credit in the transaction must be CO
equal with that OF tho Governor These gentlemen IN
view VI these circumstances say that they would be
stutifyng themselves by passing the resolution for the
appointment of the majority OF an Investigating Com
ton investigation.
On the other hand. some of the Senator's entertain
Gen. Husted's views and favor keeping up the dssen-
sions In the enemys camp. They willing to encour-
age the Speaker for the purpose OF continuing his en-
nifty to the Governor, and further inducement has
been offered them this respect by the obstinacy of
the Speaker In determining to appoint Me-. Waehner
Chairman OF the Committee instead of Mr.. Faulkner,
to whom the Charmanship belongs by right
stronger than courtesy, and by the add
tional prospect OF Mr.. Faulkner rcsenting the
ndigny. If the resolution should not be passed In the
Senate this new mbrogo will DO avoided, and the
Speaker will be saved the unpleasant alternative which
he has brought on himself Tho motives In either case
are not representative Of the very highest statesman
ship, but they thoroughly show the partisan prin
ciples by which the leaders Of both parties
in both Houses, are swsyed A sharp canvass Of the
House by two shrewd party men yesterday indicated
that than IS votes could have been obtained
for Speakers Committee Thursday night had not
Gen. Hustled stunned the House into acquescence by
his proposition to vote for both resolutions
and OF those IS 30 considered so doubtful as to b<
hardly worth counting The Assembly is certainly II
strong opposition to tue Speaker In the movement.
For Canal Contracts Seeosd Psgs
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-03-31
CHARGES AGAINST THE SPANISH MINISTER
OF WAR.
MADRID, Tuesday. March 90, 1875.

Madrid, TUESDAY, March 90 1910.
Gen. Concha, late Captain General of Cuba,
has addressed a petition TO the King accusing Gen.
Jovear ms predecessor in the Captain Generally, and
now Minister of War; OF being the OF the lack OF
discipline N the Spanish army that island; also
air4ng the conduct OF Gen JOvellar Minister Of War
The petition has created "A profound sensation. The
newspapers compelled TO MAINTAIN silence in re-
gapd IL ii.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-03-31
FOREIGN NEWS.

ECCLESIASTICAL AFFAIRS IN EUROPE.
PAPAL ENCYCIICAL AGAINST THE OLD CATHOLICS OF
swrrzERIAND-THE BISHOP OF BRFsIAN ASKED
TO REsIGN-oBJECr OF THE CONFERENCE AT
FUI.DA.
PARIS. Tuesday. March 80. 1875.
DUnicers publishes Papal Encyclical re-
newng the accommodation pronounced against the Old
Catholics Of Switzerland and censurng the authorities
for protecting them.
BERLIN. Tuesday March 30. 1873.
DR.. 'Henry Forester Prince Bishop Of iBreslau, has
been summoned TO his oishoprc because he pro
mulgated the Papal encycical against the Ecclesas
cal laws.
The Conference OF the Roman Catholic Bishops at
Fuda Is held with closed doors. The Object Of the
meeting to discuss and issue pastoral letter concern
ing the b, before the Prussian Diet Withdrawing the
State grants from the Church.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-03-31
DEBATE IN THE SENATE DELAYED.
THE SENATE DECLARED ADJOURNED UNTIL TO-DAY
INSTEAD OF UNTIL EVENING BY MISTAKE OF
rBY TELEGRAPH TO TIE rRBUNE.l

INSTEAD OF UNTIL EVENING BY A MISTAKE OF
THE PRESIDENT.
fBY TELEGRAPH TO TIE TRIBCNEl
ALBANY, March 30.-The continuance of the de-
bate in the Senate upon the Governors message has
been postponed by inadyertcnce of tho President
of the Senate. The message had been made a special
order for this evening, and several Senators ex
pectcd 10 speak upon it, but when the Senate
adjourned to-day the President declared that it
was adjourned until tomorrow. resolution
was passed last week that the Senate should
hold Tuesday and Thursday evening sessions in
the future; but Mr.. DOfsheimer had the impression
that this was defeated This postponement is con-
sidered of great consequence because the Senate
has already done the most important part Ut its
work toward investigation in providing for the
appointment of Commission by the Governor. IL
that Commission is put TO work soon, the most earn
est friends of reform and redress DO not very
much comparatively speaking, for the proposition
for Joint Legislative Committee of Investi-
CATION. whose work would necessarily be hasty and
imperfect and possibly would be distracted by diff
fereuces in the Committee The House resolution
for the appointment of that Committee was not
called up in the Senate to-day, although it had been
expected that it would be brought up. IL it is ear
red in the Senate no doubt is entertained that Mr..
Dorsheimer would appoint the faire>t and most en-
ergetic committee that be secured in the Senate
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-03-31
DECREE IN FRANCE AGAINST AMERICAN
POTATOES
PARIS. Tuesday, March 80


An official decree has been promulgated pro-
dbitng the importation into France OF American pota
toes OF sacks barrels previously used in packing
The object is prevent the introduction OF the
Colorado beetle.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-03-31
THE sUsoUEHANNA WEST BRANCH. e.,


THE DANGER BELIEVED TO BE PAss&D-THE Ica
MELTING AND THE GoRGEs WEARING AWAY
THE HIGHEST WATER AT wATsoNTowN.
WILLIAMsPoRT, Penn, March 30.-Tne hopes
the residents along the West Branch Of the susQuc'
hanna strengthened by the reports that come from
every point. The weather during the past three
days has been extremely favorable to clear
ing the river OF Ice without causing an
overflow. The days have been warm, and have melted
and softened gorges aud fields Of dnbroken ices
causing the rise, while the nights have been
cold aud dry causing the river to fall again To-day 10
the warmest we have had for the past fortnight and
was expected that the gorges would move. But they
haye not and nearly miles OF tue gorge above Loec
Haven has been worn away aud has disappeared. The
gorge az Jersey Shore moved Little todays
but has again stopped. The river OF Lock Haven Is;
now three feet ABOVE lOwwater mark, and the ress
dents have little apprehension OF further danger InS
gorge at Curwensye, above Lock Haven has gone onS
without damage. The who have been cutting the 80
above this city stopped work to-day at noon as they
we're afraid to venture upon the ice rain at the pres
ent time would seriously leopard the property
now believed to be out OF danger; bue
the weather indications favorable to-
night. The most danger. II there Is any, Is no."
feared at watsouown The river there nearly 20 feet
above low.water mark more than Oneiar u which -
water produced by iIio gorge between Wdsobowi
and Milton The water calm and comparatively clear.
The ice from below the rallrott ol we ~
down the AVER Dut hdd not 81 O'CLOCK atf't
at Wasoutown. The gorge at that point Is eth O''r
two miles long, ana the stream continues 70 how around
among the adjacent farms. 80.
The between Milton aDi northumberland u hHh
firm buC is decreasing fast. Tie ice from Wnite De,s
Crock has not Yet moved.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-03-31

FOUR BRIDGES SWEPT AWAY II NEBRASKA.
OMAHA, Neb., March 30.-Four fine bridges
have been swept away by ice and high water Oh the
Eiknoru River Further damage Is apprehendeL
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-03-31
ihE RHODE ISLAND PROHIBITION NOMINATIONS
DECLINED.

PROVIDENCE, X. l., March 3O.-Gov. Howard
VI Lieut. Van Zindt have written letters to the
hartman OF the ProbibIory Convention declining the
leeu names ~ candidates for reelection.