New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-03-22
Prisons This was promptly voted down. ana then
the Senate turned its attention to ordinary business
LOCAL COMMENTS ON THE EXPOSURE.

LOCAL COMMENTS ON THE EXPOSURE.
VIGOROUS WORDS FROM JOHN KELLY-fHE DEMO-
CRATIC PARTY TO Dix BENEFIrED-'IE"s OF
AssEMpIYMAN THOMAS COsTIGAN. AN Ex-
SPEAKER OF THE ASSEMBLY. AND A REPUBLICAN
The thorough exposure of the Canal Ring
contained In Gov Tilden's message 10 the legislature
was the absorbing topic OF conversation among the poi
ticans nm Saturday Tho question whether Republicans
or Democrats would he likely to BIO the most hurt the
revelations which have been made and are yet TO come
WAS not much discussed. In the few Instances where
n "A brought I'D tho opinions widely varied lido ne
pubicans wero inclined to believe that the fact OF Se
Tor Jarvis Lord who is credited with being one OF the
chiefs OF the Canal Ring. being Democrat would have
n damaging effect on the Democratic party. while the
Democrats were equally certain That es some OF the
,ar,er were Republicans that party wOuli
be damaged politically much as their opponents The
GREAT majority seemed 10 think, however, that 1t wouid
have no serious effect the parties as SUCH although
Il undoubtedly would cause the overtime" OF the caha
maguates In the counties traversed by inc
canals and who control the politics Ia their
neighborhoods The Canal Ring. 1t was stated like the
old Tammany Ring iucu les OF both parties who,
whether nominally Republicans or Democrats, could be
counted TO support any membef OF the Hang OF u
candidate who could be relied upon rs useful to the
no matter on what tiokot he was running Among the
callers on the Mayor on Saturday, besides Senators
Gross. Ledwith and Moore, and Assemblymen Tnomas
Cooper, DAILY, Costiean, T. J. Campbell aud others OF
the city delegation, we're Senators JARVIS Lord ana
Johnston and Speaker Mcclure The appearance of Sen
ator Lord and Speaker MCGUIRE revived the discussion
of the canal frauds among tho politicians IN the City
Hall Speaker Mcclure feels eoro at the crit
icism he has received from the press on account
Of his singular rulings In favor OF the Canai
Ring In conversation with friends he deprecated the
censurc he had received and claimed that no had IN
tended to act mpartiy. He wishes to remain ncntrai
haa han air
the Ring.
JOHN KELLY THINKS TIE EXPOSURE WILL AID HIS
PARTY.
John Kelly thought the effect OF the exposure was 80
crushing that 1t could fan 10 break up the Canal
Ring. The facts and figures given were as clear and
convincing those which convinced tho people OF the
guilt Of the old Tanmany Ring IL was another PROOF
OF the headednes OF the Governor and bis won
derful power Of analysis. Ho did not think 1t would
have a damaging effect on the Democratic party On tAe
contrary he believed that it would directly aid the
marty as showing that 1t had the power to reform
busess no matter no deeproOted or widespread they
might DO. OF tails wOuli not be done without
sharp contest. The Canal Ring had too mach power.
its members had too much Influence In the Republican
and Democratic ranks, aud the plumber which they
have obtained In the past and ho ing TO secure by
fraudulent contracts in the future, Is altogether too
great to render it likely that the Ring and s adherents
in the Legislature and outside will submit without
desperae struggle. lie had doubt however, OF the
ultimate result The Il ng must go under" TIC
message OF the Governor and The specimen contracts
given in THE TRIBUNE had concentrated pub,
c c attention tnr2ivS on f Io exs5sro a Of is Ds
deeds any more than tho old Tdmmany Ring cou!a;
Publicity said Mr. X lily, Ia what II needed 10 put an
end TO the crimes Of tais kin Tao future acton - tho
Legislature Will be watched by the better class OF per
sous in all parts OF tue State and the vote of Tie eh
The fact that Gov Tilden has had the courage to
oyn NJ his mac Indie is
favor. Ills predecessors must have known that mere
deal OF corruption contested III these cand con,
tracts vet they lacked the moral courage or lnclaio
TO attack the system under which tnese aDns"s han
grown TO such as TO nra"ns Of The
Canal Rug are more exclusive thah tloSo VI
the ola TanmaDy Ring, cecauSc 'hey eA
tend throughout tue portion OF the state tfaversed
by the canals. Heretofore no one mas dared 10 make
strong fght against tne Ring because o. tue police
tuey endeavOrcd to break down.
AssEMBLYMAN COsTIGAN's VIEWS.
Assembly man Thomas Costgan thought the exposure
could have other effect than to completely break
down tho Canal Ring. TLers was Consideration among
the members OF the Rns an their adhorent, when the
message was read, and the vote on its reception was
fair indication Of what woud bc done in the III ure The
Canal Ring would soon DO as much thihe vi tue past
the Oh Tinlldny Rug
AN EX-sPEAKER's DESCRIPTION OF TIE RINGS
METHODS.
hne1S Sneaker OF tho Assembly held similar Views to
those Of Assem- Costgan IN gard to the eject
upon the Canal RAJ which has controlled nominations
and in majority OF cases has secured the nominations
for Canal Commissioners and state Engineer. Inc plan
n, tho PING has been to endeayor to the nomlna
tens of Canal Commissioner or Engineer AT the met
Convention held. whether Republican or Democratic;
ana falling tner oton ,be coveted nDminat N at
the convention Of the opposing party me! am >. III
yariaby succeeded az Que OF tnc U.nor vi no o
lnnop Of the man OF their choice, they then began
sfe, NJ deIrrcation Of the opposing candidate and
., c whole
balance often succeeded IN Inc tecOh anu tnero
Wa no doubt that they had occasionally defeated
sair ticket when tue election hal been close. Tie
aud.city OF the Canal Ring was remarkable Idrre vas
nothing would mo- attempt ia oidcr 10 carry oul
their plans. aud break down opI"sltiOh'
THE ODIUM EQUALLY Distributed AS REGARDS
PARTY.
A prominent Republican Of the opinion that the
odlum for the Canal RIG would be borne about equally
by Republicans and Democrats. although the latter,
being in power. would be likely to come In for the
largest share OF responsibility. The breaking OF this
Ring which for many years had presumed 10 dictate
nominations both parties and which had shaped leg
islaon such manner a. to favor schemes Oi puu-
der. timely, aud should coImand the appreciation
OF the best men Of both parties
THE SYSTEM OF LETTING CONTRACTS A CAUSE OF
THE ABUSES.
prominent citizen or the central part OF the State,
who has been for many years familiar with the mysteries
OF Canal management and a neighbor and friend Of
some of the largest contractors, gave the following
statement to representative OF HE Tribune on Satur-
dly: The chief difficulty IN this afr SAID he Is that
the State OF NewYork has Commissioners and Engineers
who know nothing about their business remember
talking over this matter with Mr.. Fenton, when
he was Governor and I said to him, "Tne
trouble is, Governor, that Jim Bedeu knows
more abont canals than all the officers and 81
of the Canal Board put together" "Yes," SAID he
that ia ius the roube Now II perfectly clear that
the state IA spending an immense apOnnt OF money on
these repairs which II ought not 10 spend but not
so sure that ought 10 he denounced IN
fernal rascals. / know Beden and Denson very
well, and in their private traDsac, ions they
are certainly honest men. IL the canal engineer
surprising that the contractors, who know
about the work than he does should take advantage OF
hat Ia anIv I'M Ia be WA