New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-06-25
COLUMBIA
SENA TOR SHEARD HITS BACK
HE GIVES THE CANAL COMMITTEE HIS SIDE
OF THE IUION MATTER.
READING LETTERS FROM PROMINENT DEMO
Gratis URGING THE EXTENSION OF THE
VERTICAL wALL-sHEEHAN TEsTI-
10y TELEGRAPH 70 THE rnrBUsnI

1BY TELEGRAPH TO THE IHibUHEI
Albany June Ex-senator Titus Sheard dropped
unexpectedly in upon the IIiliSheehan white
wash campaign committee this afternoon and asked.
as matter of fair play and Justice, that he be allowed
TO present his side Of the question as to the necessity
for the $4,000 appropriation for the extension of the
vertical wall at Ilion Before be left the room he
had knocked oil the supports from under Counsellor
Mcahon's little side attemp to smirc the reputation
OF Republican Senator. Senator Sheard prefaced
his testimony with the remark that he did not believe
he need defend his own character before the com
mittee but thought IL due 20 his constituency tlat
the records of this Investigation should be correct
Since his motives In introducing the bill had been
impugned, he desired to present few letters from
certain of his Democratic constituents.
Chairman Mcmahon said that really the committee
did not doubt the Senator's honor honesty, but he
did not consider tho testimony offered yesterday, or
That which the Senator to Offer relevant to the
inquiry.
senator sheard insisted, and the chairman was
forced TO admit that IL only fair to let him state
his side Of tie case 1t did not seem to occur to
Chairman Mcmahon that he mad noticed till to-
day that the witnesses Mcmahon. the lawyer had sum
moned from Little Falls lion and adjacent villages
to substantiate his personal opinion, made after
hurried inspection. giving Irrelevant testimony
Ex-speaker sheard produced letters from the follow
Ing prominent Democrats In his district, who over
their own signatures asserted the necessity Tor the ap
preparation which Hill vetoed and asked its favorable
consideration by both Legislature and Governor George
o. Rasbeck. president of the village OF Hon; James
Conkln and A. W. shepherd, Democratic supervisors
General W. F. Lansing, one of Governor HIPS stan
H. p. Withostin Editor of "The Herhmer Democrat
and John f. Thomas formerly superintendent on sec
ton a. Erie Canal which embraces this district Most
OF these men wrote to Governor HILL Mr.. Thomas's
letter In Itself rcutes the whole of yesterdays insin
atlons against Senator Sheari. 1t reads as follows:
lion. April /, 1881.
10 the Hon. David d. Hill
Dear Sir: wish say word two in regard to the
bill before you In regard to the appropriation for the
Ion wall Having been Superintendent Of Canal Repairs
upon Section No IA, OF the Erie Canal for seven years
from spring Of 1883 TO the spring Of 1890 and Know
ing something regard 10 the condition and requirements
Of the canal this vicinity would say that look upon
the necessity Of the completion Of the work as very essential
for the benefit the canal and shippers In this vicinity
as the banks It's present condition are very much eaved
down. and sopng the centre of the canal. AID are
constantly sliding down from time TO time Into the canal
80 that floats cannot at time get up to the
banks Hoping you will give this due consideration and
attention am yours respectfully,
JOHN F. THOMAS
senator shear also testified that the present section
sn,perintondcnt ~ S. Wood. who yesterday SO
ready TO declare tile appropriation for the wall I'M
necessary had written letter to Governor Hi in sup
MOTT Of the measure but the Senator had copy of IT,
messenger was sent 10 the Executive Chamber. but
of course the Governor sent back word that the letter
had not been preserved.
Relative TO Churchill and his testimony, Senator
Snald remarked that il was not worth while 10 say
much Counsellor Mcmahon was conveniently absent
while the Senator testifying, and the committee
had no questions to ask. The Herkimer County
boomerang had sailed back and hit them squarely be-
tween the eyes. .
Another feature Of the day. gratifying 10 the
committee and its Democratic counsel was the appear
ance of Cleveland's superintendent VI Public WORKS
James Shanahan, whom Governor Hill and " I'd
Murphy IT, forced out OF the Office In 1859 because nc
would obey their behcsts and work the canals In
HIPS Interest. ShaDahan testified that when ne was
In Office all contracts were let TO the lowest bidders
Moreover the 1875 permits which lac had issued between
1893 and 1859 were all beneficial TO the state.
Speaker Sheehan, who had been lettering around all
day. then Informed the committee that he wanted TO
be called He swOre that his law firm had given ad-
vice 10 the Buffalo Dock and Connecting Railroad man
ayers, but had never received any pay therefor; While
the witness had had no interest directly or indirectly
with the company or It's permit 10 over the division
wall. He then slid down 70 TOnawanda and admitted
knowing Matt Scalan, but denied having aided the
latter to get permit for anything.
There mass Of tcsOmc testimony taken
during the day from state Engineer BOgart and his
division engineers and assistants whose answers could
almost invariably be anticipated, and who testified to
the utter impossblllty Of there being anything but
the best work done for the least money all canal
contracts. Ten q dozen days will probably
the committee dispersed. and The stenographcr getting
out copies of the whitewash testimony for the Demo
cratic campaign bureau.