The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-08-07
Republican Canal Frauds.

The canal frauds of a generation ago,
PORTED out by Samuel ]. Tilden, profit
ed the public and the Democratic party.
They We're the fruits Of Republican mis-
management, just as are the canal
frauds which have. been unearthed re-
Gently In New York by a commission
OF citizens, and the effect cannot fail
to be disastrous to the Republicans in
the coming campaign in that state.
The citizens Of the state, by popular
vote, -FOUR years ago, authorized the ex-
penditure of $9,00O,00 for the enlarge
ment and improvement of the Erie, the
OsWego and the Champlain canals. The
work was begun during the adninistra-
ton OF Republican governor, Levi P.
Morton, and has been continued down
to this point under the supervision Of
his Republican successor, Gov. Frank
5. Black. Republican subordinates
nave drafted the plans, drawn the
specifications. advertised for bids and
supervised the details Of the work.
Some months ago it became apparent
that something was wrong, and Gov.
Black appointed a commission Of SEN
slple reputable citizens to conduct an
investigation. 1t discovered that about
$3o00.O0O had been wasted. to use a
Word that Is often automatically en-
ployed to convey the idea Of thievery
and fraud. Items Of $4,000 in engineer
ing, $41,5O in inspection, s72,5OO in an
unbalanced bid. $4,000 in advertising,
S2l1,5oO in overhauling material, and
$l,0O0,00O in 'overpayments on con-
tracts are pointed out, and the farm
ers and taxpayers are aghast, as we'll
they may be. At least $12,OOOO0O more
will be necessary to complete the canal
improvements, partially on account Of
these frauds and partially because Of
the necessity of adhering to the scale
on which the original improvements
were contemplated
This Is a pretty mess, and the re-
sponsibility for 1t must fall upon the
two Republican governors who sue
ceeded Gov. Roswell P. Flower, and
upon the Platt machine, with which
their fortunes have been closely linked
1t is apparent, even at this distance,
that the days Of Plat and Plattism are
numbered. and that the people are pre-
pared to again trust Democracy In the
management Of their state affairs. This
exposure will be a body blow to the
Republican party. The Democratic
leaders will have, we believe, the good
sense to get together once more Lay
your plans for clean sweep, gentle
men. The assembly, the senate, a Unit
ed States senator, a governor and
full set of~state officers are the Democ-
racy's if you are wise and conserva-
tive in your judgments and selections,
and while you are about it don't neglect
the congressional nominees
New York city will resent the force
bill thrust upon 1t by a Republican
legislature. The country will repudiate
the party responsible for the canal
frauds, just as it did when Gov. Tilden
pLnctured the Republicans for malad-
ministration in connection with these
same waterways so many years ago.
Above-and-below the Harlem ought,
together, to give a comfortable ma
jority to the next Democratic nominee
for governor-say 100000 in round num-
bers. Who shall say that state issues
are not better calculated to produce
practical results than national issues
in off years?