New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-02-04
DEBATE on THE MEASURE
A SPIRITED CONTEST OF WIT ~ WHICH PARTY
ADVANTAGE WAS SOUGHT

Albany Feb 3.-Mr. Nixon gave warning ~ the
battle expected over the Canal Investigation bill
By announcing just after the Assembly met this
morning that he would move call OF the House.
After tho opening routine and the reports OF the
committees made the call begun. The
result showed over a dozen absentees among them
Assembynlen Chsnler. Weekes Murray. Fuller and
! Coughtry. The search FOR the latter delayed the
House hall nOur
Mr. Nixon al 1913 called up the Canal bill Five
amendments were handed 10 the Chair by tho
minority u was decided that these should "a de-
hated and voted on separately and then q general
debate allowed before a hnal vote the measure
should be- taken.
Mr. Trainor offered the FIST amendment II pro-
vtded that the appointment u the Investigating
Commission should be with the advice and consent
OF the Senate: that the Commission should contain
two citizens OF opposite political faith 10 the Gov
ernor: that the minority members should have
power TO employ counsel. VINO should nave an ths
powers possessed by the majority and that papers
and subponas should be issued as such counsei
should suggest
Mr. Trainor maintained that II should be placed
ho,,ons ,he mower OF the Governor parti-
San Commission. There was no doubt me minority
had a right 10 legal representation on the COM
,n,ss,on which his provision for counsel would tuuy
meet He closed with a sweeping prediction thaI
I, the bill was not amended on me lines sueseeteu
:, would bring disaster 10 the majority al tho
polls.
Mr. Finn offered the next amendment IL pro-
-, +ba. The names o, the BIDDERS on work sd-
,,-,issd for the amounts OF the bids In detail.
80 % uhouo the contracts were awarded tho
o,,,,, received the reason for increased or ad-
.,,,o,al navrnent II any. 10 contractors. and the
-.os,,es on the part OF the Canal Board or any
- ,..a,,ol member should all be included IN tho Est
=, contracts FOR enlargement and Improvements
VI Finn ia urging his amendment, dwelt on tho
,o, that the people had been deceived as TO how
much the canal Improvement woulf cost, ana ihas
the state Engineer. or whoever had submitted mo
s,,,-.s was either incompetent had purposely
rnisled The electors
W r,sh in response to Mr. Finn. declared tina,
~ sat- Engineer had ever had sufficient data 20
s,ate exactlv what II would cos; 20 make such stu
csraous repa!rs The former Superintendent OF
p,buc Works Mr. Hannah. before the Cons,itu-
,,onal Convention. mad admitted this, and Senator
bradley In introducing bill for canal improve
,oent IN 1891 had the necessary figure down a,
go ooc 100 showing that even then this sum was
necessary.
HOW LONG WAS THE SECRET KEPT?
A., Donnsilys amendment was offered next
o,.,d.. AT (, should be asceriained whether tho
,,,, ., 81 700 war sufficient 10 pay tor the spe-
ia, York proyldei for In the Law OF 1875. and, X
"a, uhen ne Canal Board. or any member OF H.
ara, learned the fact. and whether sGch faet was
M, asceriainsd before any contracts were macs
Cor the improvement, any bonds Issued
NJ Donneuy quoted Controller Roberts letter. IN
,,icb the latter declared that ne. as one OF IN"
canal Roard would not have voted Tor the ne"
.,nronriatl tlon had he known 100000 ~ouia not %
enough c..
Il do not care whether or not this letter OK Cor
,roiler Roberts was superinduced by GuosrnAtor'A'