The sun., 1891-06-20
olxA1 CONTRACTORS rxszzrK:
They were Never Asked 60 Fay and Neve
Essa Any Assessnents 60 Party Funds.

They were Never Asked 20 Fay and Never
Fssa Any Assessments 20 Party Funds.
ALBANY, June le-The committeeman were
anxious to catch the noon trains west and
south and they made but short trip up the
canal on their exploration voyage to-day.
Editor Churchill OF the Mohdnb Independent
was present and ready TO 20 on the stand, but
counsel thought that, as the committee wanted
to make his examination pretty full and OK
haustive. he had better be rUserved until
Tuesday. This Mr.. Churchill consented to
after being assured that his expenses would
be paid. The committee then resuDed their
Investigation OF contractors TO ascertain.
II possible. whether there was basis for
the general accusations Of Senator Erwin
and other prominent Republicans that
contractors grew rich Off their cana!
contracts. and that the Democratic party
realized handsome revenue from assessing &
them rs high as 20 per cent whenever con-
tract was awarded to them. Republicans and
Democrats were called Unfortunately.
Among those who occupied the stand this
morning were: w. n. Fitch OF Groton, Presi-
dent Of tho Groton Bridge Company; E. NJ.
Payne Of Albany. dredge owner: Nichol9s
tos4 s%Rs osn & sn' v"n fa,teS o. the
Ms,or KsneiH Gont5aSoT and Isaac
Mr. Fitch testified that though he had, built
several bridees for tbs State lie had ALMOST &
.1si Snss niaSa 90 The 81 81
year IN which the work had to bo done. He
ihf nat
had never been called upon to nay any assess;
to had he
msnta He Is a Republican.
Nicholas Wemnle. a Democrat. and brother
eSi aons asd his brothers 1s' pos.en
had never aided the firm IN occurring contracts
oc S % Mhsn a Tho a'
lps from State contraeis, These profits had
EEorations as closer Gsurng was reauirsd, on
to pny any part o. his earnings into the Demo-
John Van Patton and F. NJ. Payne, who have
the fairness with which all contracts were let
and rs to the moderate profits realized.
i Neither aad been mIsted Dy politicians Tor
= Ira Porker corroborated the other witnessed.
Hs e1ns cn raSo Sss Works nS Rsd' By Ss
slate and superintended BY State officials wa.
due to the more extensive advertising and
same work. bottom prices were. struck in the
corpcrati"ns tho com petition was almost al
ways restricted to hall a dozen or so contrac-
tors VINO were picked our ana asked TO DID.
held opinion. similar to the preceding wit
ehurges to make. Tho system now employed
be thought fair and Just one. He had always
not, that he had been fairly treated.
The last witness examined before the COM
mittee adjourned was the Hon. Edward
Murphy OF Troy. Chairman OF the Democratic
NJ MnrpS1 TO THs
that he had received the committees 8 subpoena.
but was puzzled trying to imagine what they
wanted OF him. as he was not q canaler and the
TOY IL Epow
what no did know. He was soon snlight-
sned. for or, calling him to the stand
nsos aPa asked him most Il
Committee. .Mr. Murphy replied that he had
been for the last len years He also admitted
6Rs b. tRs fssn sa. ass
time and that he had a definite and positive
knowledRe Of the finances OF that body, He
mittee derived its flnancial, resources from
No" answered Chairman Murphy with
emphasis. He declared that no assessments
had been levied upon contractors. nor had
the, paid IN dollar as e his
done under Republican administrations OF tho
DEPARTMENT OF Public Works he had no know-
Counsellor MeMahon ceased. and Counsellor
ouire whether he know OF any basis for the
charge Of Senator Erwin that q 20 per cent as
sessment was levied upon canal contractors.
To this the witness responded. Mono what
The committee then adjourned over to 10
O'Clock Tuesday morning.