New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-06-04

1-nion are ex-Congressman Orlando B. Potter and ex
MAYOR Franklin Edison, of New-York both Demo
Gratis These men both sign the following peut'on'
which was received by the committee as II met 10
days ,,
tn. undersigned respectfully urge upon your consdera
t,on the am,ontment Of the Hon. George Clinton, Of
Buffalo n. Y. to attorney for your ooH"'..eo
during the investigation about 70 De uhusr'aAen' 81
Clinton's long public career has made ms name IS
resnected by all Of citizens OF this state anu Ms
nnovledge OF the canal system Of the state WILL we De
lieve better nt him for the position named 'h4n Any "
gentleman available. Respectfully
Franklin Edison.
Secretary Of Canal Bostmens Unisn.
Ambrose Snow
7; B . Thuroer'
F f.; 5" 8 'Wtherbea
". S. webb.
Mr.. Mcmahon and his fellow Democ' ale Assemoiynlo
vould not grant the request They know that ceofse
c,,r4or =, an exnert ON canal matters and that II
would not do 10 have the grandson Of De WIN CIn'o
with his inherited capacity for canal hggers let oso
upon the bids made by canal contractors Acoor sA'
MIR. Mcmahon handed the petition to Oharies E ~
Freest clerk Of the Democratic state Coihih'Vco' ~
ouested him TO write TO Mr.. Potter and his associaes
- s.vtnc the committee already heve counsel
tn counseI are Mr. Fero, who hardly ever sa" an
rro canal boat until ne here from kingston '"o
months ago. and James d. MCMAHON priehV D '
nno,o LAWYER from Rome who doesn't intend to nave
ANYTHING damaging happen TO the Democra'lo uop.4'
ment while he conducts the examination Oh Witnesses
The last valuable witness to-day thaV lIlo 0ou'-
,+too had Was Senator sheard of Little FAILS VINO
,r+oalv gave the committee the name OF Demo
orotic editor in Hcrkmer County who had assaHeu
the canal MANAGEMENT as corrupt VIII inc cohhii'"oe
summon this editor before them1 Inc oVneI wiz
nesses were Senator McNauehton' OF Koches'er Dcln
ocrat who Of course. eulogized the cahal inanaeo
roont. Assemblyman Acker. of Hornellsvine VINO
AT
= o.-ayogant Tomorrow Silas B. butcher, the
panublican superintendent Of Public Works In 1850
1891 and 1892 will be witness IN company WIN
Assernbymen Judd Gillette. Dempsey and Haley ana
Senator Collins, all Democrats.
Donald McNaughtOn. Democrat. Senator OF the ols-
trict composed of the counties Of Monroe ana or.
loans was the first witness He testified that he had
been for the last four years member Of the senate
ua remembered when the canal investigation resOu-
tion WAS introduced by senator Laughln IN the sen
ate and he suggested that the resolution DO pnnteo
The resolution introduced on April g. ana the
Legislature adjourned April 30. The deoaVe upon
the resolution began on April H. and the deadlock IN
the Senate followed. II Senator Cantor VINO nan
the consideration Of the resolution adjourned from
Anil 8 to April IA. Mr.. McNaughton read from the
Senate Journals extracts showing clearly that the
Democratic Senators DISTRACTED the business OF the
Senate in order to prevent vote from being taken
upon the canal Investigation resolution TINS was
generous in Mr.. McNaughton; Unexpectedly so 70
the Republicans They could account for it only by
the suppodtion that McNaughton wishes to clear MN
self of responsibility for the deadlock, If possible as
he brought out with all the force he could the fact
that Senators Ives and Cantor the men who made
the flbustering motions.
Mr.. McNaughton then confessed that he had intro
duced canal appropriation bills. He had never heard
Of any scandal concerning the Canal department. ne
Thought the need Of an annual examination OF the
rtrnpn nj Rhf q
Canal Committee read carefully the reports OF the
superintendent Of the Department OF Public WORKS
and the State Engineer. They might be instructed to
call superintendent Hannah before them and ask TO
see his canal contracts and his vouchers
"Do you know asked Mr. Brodsky, whether the
ordinary repairs of the canals done by contract
Mr.. McNaughton answered Il was told by supenn-
tendent shanahan that kinds Of canal work eouu
not be advanageousy done by contract, such as bot
toming out the canals, or repairing leaks
ais there any inspection Of the canal workl
ayes by the inspectors appointed by the superin-
tendent Of Public Works"
You believe inquired Mr.. Brodsky, there should
be a supervision Of the work done by the canal depart
ment by the Legislature n
"No: Tou have misunderstood me. / simply mean
that the Canal Committee should examine the reports
Of these officers"
DO tn. committees Of the Legislature have power
to send for persons and papers"
] believe not and yet / mink tnat eehsVor UT al
AssembIymsn could call publicly the attention OF the
Superintendent Of Public Works TO any omission in his
report"
Undoubtedly" said Mr.. Brodsky. "but could
committee Of the Legislature summon before them any
State officer or witnesses without the authority OF
resolution passed by the Legislaturel"
l believe not" answered Mr.. McNaughton.
why don't the recommendations for these public
works come from the superintendent Of Public Worksi
Because he cannot do everything
4" Do you think an investigation Of the canal man
agemeit by the Legislature wisel'
u do answered senator McNaughton. and this
committee. conducted it IL, IS proof OF IT, Mt
McNaEhton voted against an investigation by the Re
publican Canal Committee OF the senate.
Titus sheard, of Little Falls, xspeakcr Of the AS
sembly and senator the XXlid District, was the
next witness lie said he had been the representative
Of this canal district" for the last two years lie was
asked he had introduced bill appropratlng money
for the extension OF the vertical wall OF the Erie Cha
Yes introduced such a BILL" he answered
Would not such a wall protect the highway IN
lit would" answered the witness, since the mgh,
way uls parallel with It, The banks Oh 5e Into the
canal That filled up the canal ana decreA'eu i''
Havs you been told that canal boats were en'oNf-
raised there ?" . Co.,, IN. ar ,r+ro
duced tn bill az the request Of citizens OF I9n mo
Gratis ant RepIblcans I5ey informed me '''A' ~
IJfd YOU know of any opposition 10 the OH a'
lon" IT,, . g.. ,-ho, Governor
HIN vetoed IT, had personal knoWledes uleI' 10
have I now OF any reason why that bill should noe
have beer signed In proportion to the distance pe
canal pas,es through my senate district, forty mes'
nv distriT has had less canal appropriations than
any other In the State ~. -. go, g. think |
Had you any information which leo YOU 10 9 s,
there shoulC be an invest CATION Of the Canal Depart
mani - injured Mr.. Brodsky. ,-, ia
There were certain articles IN 'Ihe nlohs"k IhuS
Aant edlt.d by William A. Churchill said senator
sbeard which charged that were paii lor cana a
work which they had not performed thtt oanai
o.s-,aI had been paid for which did not materaiIe:
AID thai there had been favorIisn IN me mater OF
he giving out N canal cOltracts for lock-lengh.s
- Were these charges made at The ume OF tN |
debate npon the Langhlin re.Olutiont' -, ~, |
Before" said Mr.. sbcard, and you can learn - LS
tacts by summOning here Mr.. Chnrcmh ana oI'o'
Democrats Of llerkiuler.' , -, ,.,.o-t |
CATION looked al by the sohatsi mq""eu MI
BrOdsky. 80, - ,..,or ,bo cos, of |