New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1878-04-19
THE CANAL BOARD.

TWO REPORTS FROM The SUPERINTENDENT OF PUB
lie wORKs-THE SALARIES OF WEIGHMAsTERS
AND INSPECTORS APPROvED-HIs RECOMMENDA-
TIoNs AS TO sUPERINTENDENTs NOT APPROVED
ALBANY, n. Y, April 1S.-At meeting OF
the Canal Board to-day superintendent Clark presented
report that he had made appointments or wGghhhs-
ters assistant woshmasers and inspectors in accord
apce with the recommendation Of the AttOrney-Gtner,
and had proceeded fix salaries Of weshmasteIs at
S75 rer month, assistant weighmasters at $50 per
month and inspectors at $50 per month"; but be was IL
formed by the AttOIneyGeneral that the Canal Board
possessed the power OF fixing such salaries ana he thefe
fore referred the matter TO the board iOr Their action
He had also abolished unnecessary, the positions OF
assistant weghmaster and inspector at OSWeSo IDe
appointments adds the superintendent made during
pleasure and not for the year season. that beng the
reason why the compensation is fixed By the month On
motion Of mr. Beach the report was adopted, and the
salaries Of the weghmasters, assistants and inspectors
fixed as recommended in the report.
Superintendent Clark also presented report making
the following recommendations: That the Erie Canal
comprise eleven sections now existing; that the
Champlain Canal comprise three sections, as con
situted with slight changes in the extent Of each
that the Oswego Black BiyeTand Genesee Valley canals
comprise two sections, increase Of section each
on the two latter canals that the Chenango, Cayuga
Seneca and Chemung Canals constitute one section each,
as at presents tuat the oneida Lake Canal be attached
to and operated wi Section Of the Erie Canal The
report further states that while under the impression
that the duty fixing the superintendent salaries de-
VOWED upon him, the Superintendent Of Pnblc Works
bad determined upon 81 600 per aunum, but a fuller
examination had convinced him that, as the
superIntendents were required to visit almost
daily every part of their sections it necessary for
them keep horse and wagon, and that 81 200 would
be nomore than fair and reasonable compensation He
therefore recommended that the salaries Of the supern-
tendents upon the Erie Champan, Cayuga and Seneca
Canals be fixed 81 200; of the two the Genesee
valley Canal at 81 900 each OF the one Section
OF the Black River Canal at $500 per annum, and Of the
superntendeuts on the ChenangO ana 5he Chemung
Canals $3.50 per anuum the compensation 10 Include
ONCE rent, stationery, postage, etc.
Mr. Beach opposed any increase OF supcTntcndents on
the Gencseo Valley and Black River Canals, as the pres
ent lnCumbcns did little else than draw their pa He
moved amend the report by reducing The number 10
one each on those canals.
Mr. Clark said that Offset the extra superuteudents
he mad dispensed with all the special tOrecn ana clerks
making reduction I'm The expenses of about $4,000.
Nh Beach then moved TO amend tine report by rcduc-
ing all the 81 200 salaries of superintendent 10 SlOOO
lost.
Mr. Ocot thcn suggested that the report b" changed
TO include SPECIAL Oremen and CllTks IN the eA
penses the office Of superintendent, 10 be derayed by
such SUPERINTENDENT out of his salary. The suggestion
was accepted by Mr.. Clark and the change was
made. The question being taken On til adoP
ton Of tie report II declared lost. moi
having received the votes OF five members
of Mr. O.cOtt the vote TccOusCeTet and the repO
was laid on IN liable. On notion the East RIVER Baum
OF NcN-YOIk, and the Rochester Bank Of Rochester
des grated as depOsitaIies OF the canal funds