New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-06-09
THE CANAL INQUIRY FARCE.
THREE WITNESSES EXAMINED UPON WHAT
THEY DO NOT KNOW.
THE COMMITTEE ApJoURNS FOR A WEEK AFTEF
"a SHORT sEssIoN-NEIrHER HANNAH.
BoGART NOR ANY CANAL CON-
TRACTOR YET sUBPoENAED.


BoGART NOR ANY CANAL CON-
TRACTOR YET sUBPoENAED.
Albany June s-The sham character Of the
Investigation Of the Canal Department by the
Committee Of the Democratic Assembly which is now
nretepding to be at work at this task glaringly
shown today. The committee examined three wit
nesses and only three, to what they did not know
about corruption in the Canal Department These
tnree men have ali been members of the Legislature
and as such have introduced canal appropriation
hills All OF them I've miles distant from either the
Erie or the Champlain Canal, and therefore were
profoundly ignorant to the the canal appropra-
tons they obtained were used They could truthfuly
declare that they had not noticed corrupt use of
canal contracts, and the Democratic Assenblymen
expressed great delight when they hoard these state
ments The members Of the Legislature examined
were senator Donaldson, Republican. and ex-senator
Foley, Democrat both Of the XVlllth Dlstnct; ana
Assemblyman Cameron Democrat OF Warren county.
They also testified that they had introduced canal
bills and that was all practically that they knew
about the Canal Departments operations There are
10000 men in Albany who could testify that they
are unaware of any corrupt administration OF the
Affairs Of the Canal Department
The three witnesses occupied about fifteen minutes
In telling what they do not know and then 1enorai
NJ T. Mcmahon. The chairman Of the committee, with
a great air OF surprise asked the sergeantatArms
where the other eApccteO NltnoSscS WCiO
"Weus said the Sergeant-atArms, 81 have per-
sonally served subpoenas upon ex-Senators Russell
and sweet and Senator Collins and I have sent
subpoenas 10 ex-Speaker Hustled ex-senator Raines,
senator Coggeshan. senator Erwin, Senator Van
Gorder. senator Hendricks and Assemblyman Willis.
but have not heard whether they were received or
not Ex-Speaker Hustled is at Msby Lake. fishing,
and perhaps he has not received a subpoena"
The committee debated their powers OF compelling
witnesses TO come before them and finally came TO the
conclusion that they had little power in that direction
Perhaps they do not want much power 10 compel tie
attendance of canal contractors.
AT last after considerable debate, General Mcmahon
said: a. move that adjourn for week, In order
TO give the Sergeant alarms opportunity to procure
the witnesses"
The motion was Of course adopted, and the com
mitee adjourned. 1t is fzze as an investigator,
and becomes more and more so as the days pass
Ihe committee do not even have the sagaclty 10 eA
emine such q multitude OF pretended witnesses ae 10
male some people think they are In earnest Mcal-
while IL is noticeable that subpoena has yet been
sent out for the head OF the Canal department
Edward Hannah. the superintendent of Public works ,
or for John Bogart the state Engineer, or Tor any
canal inspector canal contractor The fact Is,
althugh the committee have been examining witnesses
for two weeks they have not yet examined one witness
who is connected with the practical workings OF the
Canal Department. Obviously the investigation Is not
intended 20 hurt any one. IL is an expense TO the
state and the State gets no return for 1t.