New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-03-29


ate Committees said this evening that he was sure
that Governor Tilden approved these amendments.
CANAL LEGISLATION.
NUMEROUS BILLS BEFORE THE LEGISLATURE TO Eff
feet CANAL ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS OF SENATOR
LowERYs BILL FOR TIE ESTABLISHMENT OF AN
INSPECTOR OF PUBLIC wORKs-BENEFIrS TO BE
DERIVED FROM SOME OF THE EARLY LEGIsLA-
TON OF TIE SESSION
lBY TELEGRAPH TO TIE TRIBUNEl
ALBANY March 2S-Several bills, aiming to effect
canal reform either directly or indirectly have been
introduced in the Senate and Assembly since the
message of the Governor sent in. OF some of
these the future is rather uncertain. Most of the
legislators who are here to-day speak hope
fully of the chances of tho bill for the establish
ment of the office of Inspector OF Pubic
Works but Senator Cole, the Chairman OF the
Senate Canal Committee, to which the bill was re-
ferred in the Senate. III which it was introduced by
Senator Lowry. is not yet entirely convinced that
an officer of this kind is needed in the
canal system. He argues for the thorough
enforcement of the present canal laws,
and denies vigorously that blame 1or
the frauds which have occurred is to be laid upon
the SYSTEM as has been assorted in defense OF the
Ring and upon the mon who have neglected their
duty or who have betrayed the trust reposed III
them The power Of inspection Of the State Engl-
neer and his duties in that regard fully provided
for in the Canal laws.
What the course of the Ring sympatbizers In the
LEGISLATURE is to be- after their defeat in the Senate
on Friday is matter of surmise. Several Senators
and Assembymen here say that these men feel that
their power is entirely broken, and that they VIII
interpose no further resistance to REFORM but VIII
endeayor to escape dscredit with the people by
being among tue advocates of reform. Others re-
mark that the friends of the ring in the Senate on
Friday. developed unexpected obstanacy and ten
dency TO tilibustering, after th IT weakness
as aminority was evident While this clique
clamored loudly for vigorous investigation
thew endeavored in every way to delay
legislation in that direction. In the final
vote on the resolution for the Governors Commits
sion. even Senator Lord voted yea, but Senators
Ianinp and Johnston abstained from voting and at
TEMPTED to cause delay Filibustering may be re-
peated this week, the discounted klng may quiet-
ly acquiesce in the inevitable.
Some of the Ring retailers Of false statements have
mt in circulation the idle tale tLat Controller Hop
kius is not entirely in sympathy with the Governor
in his reform movement. This the Controller most
emphatically denies. A curious Misrepresentation
of an act of the Controller was male 10
Gov. Tilden day or two ago. oeha-
tor Lanipu is understood to have stated in this
he obtained the figures which he gave of the ex-
nondin,res upon the Canals from the Controllers
Office. In fact he went TO the Auditors office and
asked that statement of certain Canal expendi-
tures should be made out for him from
the books. He also went to the Control
lar for some figures. Mr.. Hopkins told
Senator LoriHg that bis department did not contain
the canal accounts and that the desired figures
could not be obtained from his office. But at the
Senator's request figures, made up by clerk from
the Auditors books, were sent to Mr. Loring. Con-
| trolier Hopkins was in the Senate Tor
fow minutes while Senator Lonng was
| sraalxina and when the latter made
| some statements in regard to canal expenditures
| which differed from those Of the Governors mes
sare. Controller Hopkins, who was near Mt.
J,anng. suggested to him that be was mistaken IN
| his figures From these circumstances the story
WAS carried to the Governor that the Controller mad
.postedp Senator Laning for his speech and
nrompted him during the delivery of it
| The few defenders of the Canal Ring who are now
IN the city. argue in quiet way that no result can
| ba expected from the forth coming investigation.
! Such defenders cay that the contractors cannot
| ba nroceeded against for their performance
| of extra work and receipt Of extra pay, that
| beino a legitimate transaction such as any
merchant or mechanic performs when be tries to get
| "a much as possible for wares or labor. lbe en-
| nneers who measured the work, IL is further
claimed in this Defense cannot be legally held re-
sponsbe for the alleged measurement and certllca-
t;on of false filings because their duty requires them
only 10 measure and certify to the superficial area
of slopes and walls not to dig beneath the surface
and investigate the character OF the ming. WINE
| they are not expected to measure the rocK winch
| II ia measurable the contractor Will make use
of in his work, they are not required 10
remain on tho spot TO see that the rock
tbov have measured is used. Such arguments
tb csc appear to afford good deal OF satisfaction
IN the interested canal men. AS to the State ohcias,
whose acts may come up for investigation, IL Is
claimed that they have performed their duty ac-
cording 70 the strict letter of the law, which de-
mands that the lowest bid shall be accepted, and
does not restrict them from relieving the ne
cessities of contractor who has found
his contract Improbable. or who has performed
| naaded extra work The whole system OF canal
management, the Ring apologsts readily admit, Is
loose and il should be remedied; but they say that
the investigations result IN nothing but suggcs-
tons for the better guidance Of legislation
These arguments seem TO have some weight on
hastv beariDg but the recent legislation secured by
Gov Tildep apparently in order TO further the pros
ecntiou of the Tweed Ring thieves, and famiharly
known as the Remedy acts" will come IN admIra-
ble use lust now 10 cover the present canal cases
Hinder these acts according to Senator Lowry VINO
stated Yesterday that he had consulted legal counsel
an the subject not only can the state officials in the
Canal Ring 10 indicted and punished by
I,ut fba ~ ~