The New York herald., 1875-04-02
NO MORE UNBALANCED BIDS.
Speeches by l. Bradford Prince, Judge
Pierepont, William E. Dodge
and Abram S. Hewitt
Action OF the Tannnany General
Committee.

Inc anger ana disappointment Ol inc Odnal ring
are finding vent both IN words and In acts. In
the FIRST place, the pretended friends OF reform,
who are, in lact the allies or the Ring have begun
TO accuse Governor Tiiden OF an insincerity equal
TO their own. He has no real purpose to investi-
gate and punish fraud, they say, but wishes TO
keep the subject open as an element OF strength
IN his own behalf in the next election. Even II
they correctly divine the Governors purposes In
this respect they contradict themselves in the
terms In which they express their understanding
OF the end he has in view. Investigation and pun
ishment must prove his best aids In securing the
democratic nomination Tor rne Presidency in 1876
and his enemies know that he Will lot fail to use
Gil the means at his command to attain both OF
these objects. It is in vain, therefore, for them
to attribute to him their own wishes as his de-
sign. or to pretend that their zeal is necessary to
compel him to follow out his original purpose.
1t IL funny to observe the shapes which TINS pre-
tended zeal on the part OF the friends OF the Ring
assumes Just now the legislation already had
upon the subject falls far short OF the stringency
they affect to desire SO much concerned are they
in this regard that they fearing the resolution
for commission OF investigation already passed
Dy both houses win not nave the lorce OF law in
securing the object for which 1t was passed and
that all legislation based upon 1t will consequently
ian TO the ground. This 10 matter OF such deep
concern TO the constitutional lawyers In the AS
sembly tnat when the Senate bill for empowering
the commissioners who are to be appointed by the
Governor TO subpoena witnesses and compel their
attendance came up the learned pundits In that
body asked Tor delay in its consideration that they
might have time to study its legal aspects The re-
publican majority In the Senate allowed the
bill to be read third time and put
upon its passage on the night OF Its Introduction;
but when 1t reached the Assembly this morning
hr. Hammond objected to its immediate consider
atlon and it was referred to the Committee on
Canals under the rule. The
PETTY CHAGRIN AND FEEBLE SPITE
OF such action on the part OF the canal faction in
the House are apparent on its lace. ana ali that
Mr. Hammond gained by his objection was Co imi-
tate the example OF Dogberry and write himself
down an ass. The amendments IS which this faction
propose to make to the bill are just specious
enough 70 expose their inslnceriiy and show now
much they fear what they pretend to be so anxious
TO secure. They insist, for instance tnat legsla-
tive provision must be made for an open ana
public investigation and speedy report by the
commission. All this certainly is necessary; but
the Governor who was nrst to expose the frauds on
the canals and 10 ask for the investigation hardly
open TO the suspicion oil wishing to make star
chamber investigation. The mere suggestion or
such thing Is contrary to all we know OF Cover
nor Tnden's character ana plans, and 1t Is an alb
surdity, alter what has already occurred. TO con-
tend that he would seek to conceal the sins OF the
canal Ring from the public knowledge. Nobody
knows this better than the apologists OF the Ring
VINO are now anxious for extending the scope OF
the legislation and inquiry, and IL is partly fear
and partly cunning which induces them 20 show
so much zeal at this time. Unfortunately both
their acts and their words belle their professions,
and Il Is plain to the meanest understanding that
they are only trying to keep MP bold front till
the storm blows over. All previous inv legations
OF canal irauds and attempts at the punishment OF
corrupt engineers and fraudulent contractors
have ended In talk, and the Canal Ring
LOOKS for the same result now. II only the talk can
be prolonged into utter weariness with all inquiry
View this subject as we may, IL is found to De
surrounded with difnculties. The Governor ap-
proves the Committee OF Investigation appointed
by the Canal Board yesterday, though It is hardly
possible to divine the purpose OF this particular
inquiry. No one doubts the integrity OF the Lieu
tenant Governor, the Secretary OF State and the
Attorney General, the three gentlemen VINO COM
pose IT, but their usefulness is quite another mat
ter The effect OF the multiplicity or investigating
committees must be 70 embarrass all real investi-
cation, and this is an overwhelming objection TO
their appointment at all, and especially by the
Car al Board. have been told that the purpose
OF their appointment is to bring the corrupt eng-
neers to Justice, but this certainly could be better
attained oy bringing them before the courts tnan
by waiting such investigation as the Attorney
General and mis- associates can make All tnat
these gentlemen can md out in their capacity as
committee VIII Ia all PROBABILITY be useless ior
any practical purpose.
slstance OF LIS associates in determining whom TO
prosecute, and tue Canal Board, as q WHOLE Is
tuly charged with caring Tor the interests OF the
state aud bound to examine all the contracts
50 descredited by the Governors Message IL
would have been much more sensible and
Satisfactory " this had been done by the whole
Board tn4n by the interposition or committee
those Will soon be IN Iull blast the Assembly
having concurred In the resolution for a
joint committee, and nothing now remaining
20 be done except TO name the men who
10 compose the investigating boards with
the appointment OF these the excitement Will end,
some necessary legislation being the only thing
besides winch can be done for tie present.
ACTION or THE SENATE.
Even the Senate has quit talking, and regolu-
ton offered by Mr.. Jacobs TINS morning instruct
log toe senate judiciary Committee TO report a
seven, oi the constitution as recommended By the
Governor ana referring the rest Of the
recommendations into effect, was passed. Tnis
turns or all the gas, and the exciting canal
thing else In Albany. matter OF mere
dun routine. Nothing 10 known as yet as TO
sioners to MAKE the important investigation and
comparatively little interest Is felt IN the appoint
ment OF Lieutenant Governor Dorsheimer and
speaker kcGure upon the JOINT Legislative Com
mittee.
IL was rumored, however. that the speaker
would announce the omnlttee on the part ol the
Assembly this evening and good many people
wended their way TO the Chamber To hear
the announcements 10 was not made how
ever, and even Mr. DAVIS Canal Diil, which
was the special order for tnis evening, was post
poned till next Tuesday. The Speak er Will name
the committee In the morning.
The Senate bnl re erred TO the Judiciary Com
mlttee at the morning session, was reported back
ted OF the iaise step they maae IN
seeking TO delay It. The commission now has full
power 70 go TO work as soon it IL appointed anu
confirmed, ana the Legislature is free 10 busy
tteef win remedial legislation.
CANAL LEGISLATION.
Mr.. rage introduced a bill in the Assembly this |
evening ia relation 10 the canals, wniCn provides
that hereafter all tracts for new or extraordi
nary repairs shall 20 advertised Tor by the Aud. |
itoT, UNDER direction Of the Canal BOARD. and ali