The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-03-27

ne true In every particular. Here ana there
MISTAKE may be found in some statements ne mas
made, but the great fact will remain that Immense
frauds have been perpetrated against tne people
IN tins canal business, and Governor iIden a oc
serves the credit OF having unearthed enough oil
them TO show what wrong mas been done the
State by the canal contractors.
RFPORTER- DO you think, Governor, that these
frauds have been possible because OF the 'vicious
SYSTEM or the looseness OF the laws" as senator
Lanng expresses 1t IN his speech, or TO the VII
seIyesp
Ing TO the manner OF awarding contracts and to
their proper iultiment are not as stringent as
can be blamed Tor the gigantic frauds which are
said to have been committed. The fact Is that the
management Of the canals y partisan one and
In great degree. responsible for the way the
CANALS HAVE BEEN MADE USE OF
for the b0nent of men whose chief aim was to en-
rich themselves at the public expense. When the
one party got INTO power men were placed in posi-
tions on the canals, not because OF their qualihca
tiOns to MI the positions well, but for party
reasons, and too often. believe because OF their
Willingness not to do what was exactly honest II
they and others were to profit by doing wrong.
When the other party got INTO power 1t was the
the assertion Is literally true that both
rather, a certain Clique OF men in both parties
have always eonnived together ana manipulated
party succeeded In carrying the State, the possi-
Dhty OF making money out OF the canals dishon-
estly would be certain TO remain the same.
REP0RTER-The contractors, then, are not the
only thieves
clearly explained the system by which the con-
tractors manage to get contracts for a certain
original amouat bid; and how it happens that u
party who though ostensibly the lowest bidder Is
all the dishonest harvest. The various devices the
contractors ana their a6ettors resort to, and how
they play into one auOther'S hands, ne explains, l
have no doubt, correctly.
REPORTEI-ine contractors had necessarily to
use the Legislature to further their schemes 2
General DIx-Undoubtediy. Legislature after
Legislature have passed laws, REGARDLESS OF all
Ject, the putting OF money into the contractors
pockets they mad never earned. These bills came
mostly in the shape OF
That had already been settled by the decision OF
the appraisers, and they were advocated on vari-
GUS grounds, mostly on the ground OF newly as
covered evidence" since the claims had been adj
judcated upon. Ii was matter Legislatures ought
never to have interiered with. There might DO
once IN wnlle cases OF Individual hardship by a
refusal to reopen a claim for work done, but in
sole aim the obtaining OF money under one SET OF
appraisers that was not possible under different
set. During the period was Governor made It
q special duty to watch every such bill, ana l
never allowed one to become q law so for as
was CONCERNED think vetoed ten Do or
claim was injured by the vetoes. The men
who are classed as being so bound up
doubtless done great wrong to the State II all that
IS alleged against them Is true But they seem to
tration Comptroller Hopkins had hard fight with
them and dld everything ne could to prevent the
any one else an instrument TO delraud the people.
Indeed Attorney General Barlow BY the bold nd
he took against those who were alleged to be dis.
honest in their connections with tue canals. in
contracts anu otherwise, incurred tuelr lasting
enmity; and the language he used In their regard
was even more severe tnan Governor Iden's and
think their wrath was fully as much excited
then as IL seems to be now over the attacks made
upon them.
REPoRTER-Wnat DO you think will be the result
OF Governor Tiiden's attack-what the remedy
Tor the evils complained of?
General DIX or course cannot tell what the
result will be, you refer 20 the discussion OF the
subject at Albany; but earnestly nope that 1t
MOST SEARCHING INVESTIGATION
WIN be instituted see that two plans are pro-
gatou viii take 1t viii be made a most thorough
one; an investigation when Will 60 tae very bot
swndng contract and reach every man who has
r been, IN =, me remosest aegree, engaged IN
u very strong, Ii not his strongest, support
in this matter among the leading republicans
guarantee TO nay mind that an investigation, once
begun, Will De Carried on with vigOr. As to what
robberles OF the character charged against con-
tractors and others by Governor 1Ilden, doubtless
the Legislature will await the results OF the in.
vestlgatOn before taem, and provide an ample one.
suppose new and stringent laws Will be passed to
guard against fraud in canal contracts. but very
much lear that Legislation alone Will not entirely
prevent fraud, SO long dishonest men are placed
in positions where they can do wrong. Good laws
and honest men to administer them would De q
thorough remedy
PETER COoPER'S VIEWS.
Mr.. Peter Cooper has addressed to Governor
Tliden the following letter OF congratulation upon
his Canal Message:-
NEW YORK, March rs, 1876
To His EXcellency SAMUEL D. TILDEN:-
DEAR Sill nave seen IN common with others
OF your fellow citizens, the published account OF
your statements and messages In reference to the
management OF those entrusted with great and
valuable interest OF the people-the canals the
State OF New York,
n inn lin frop rho oiu
ming OF that Industrial enterprise taken deep
concern III tne prosperity and improvement OF the
cauais OF New Ork, 3nC having, in common with
many others III terested III them, been much dis
appointed IN the conduct and progress OF the
work VI Keeping up and improving this highway
thank you FOR the efficient and courageous method
you have taken 70 investigate what abuses may
nave existed in times past and TO put this great
industrial and commercial interest into II more
favorable II not more honest administration.
/ lmpeaca one personally. 1t VIII De
your province TO investigate the facts and
personal bearing OF such charges as you have put
forth III your excellent Message In regard TO tne
administration OF the canals. But the results ara
obvious TO every intelligent citizen, and lead &c
the natural inference that the large sums apprO.
priated ana the legislation hitherto employed By
the people Of this state TO guard improve and ads
MINISTER economically this great public enter
prise, have been entrusted TO some parties either
ignorant or irresponsible as to their duties in ths
matter. This is the present feeling of the people,
ana only express q general desire that the in
VestigatOnS you recommend snail be conducted
at once by committee Of Intelligent and honest
men, appointed by the Legislature. That this in.
vestIgaton may lead to the truth Is the ferveni
preston OF thanks and with great esteem, re.
main yours, very truly, PETER COOPER.