New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-02-24
CANAL BILL SIGNED.
THE GOVERNOR HAS NOT YET ANNOUNCED
THE INVESTIGATING COMMISSION

,rb,rv r-ob - Observation-Disclosures Black to-day
signed the Canal Investigating Commission DIN
authorizing him to appoint without check OF 'ho
legislature n commission TO take evidence regard
Ing the work done under the s9.eoOp canal I'M
provement scheme. Mr. Black received this Dill
ten days II was drawn up IN MS oi"ce' anu
ne knew all about H.
He now has ten days in which 10 appoint ING
members OF the Commission. II he delays "a long
IN making these appointments as he has In signing
the bill 1t will he almost the first Of April before
the Commission will begin to take testimony ABOUT
that time II s the Intention Of the Platt managers
20 adjourn the Legislature. II possible.
Has there been delay IN advancing the Canai
Commission inquiry. I'm order to prevent any evil
dence taken hy y from reaching the ears OF tho
members Of the Legislature before they have !eit
Albany? This is question good many people
asking tonight.
The Commission Is directed by the act 10 IN
vestigate and report concerning the work already
done Of enargng and improving the Erie. Cham
plain and Oswego canals; the contracts 'or snch
enlargement and improvement. and whether they
were properly made. the amount OF money sctu-
ally expended for such purpose, and whether II
has been properly expended; the proportion OF the
enlargement and Improvement OF the canals IN
cuded in the contracts. and that not Included;
whether any money in excess OF that already pro-
vided will he required to complete the enlargement
and Improvement Of the canals, and. II 80, what
amount and such other matters in connection with
the work OF the enlargement and improvement or
tho canals as in the judgment Of the commission
are Of public interest.
The Commission will meet in the office OF the Sec
rotary Of State on the next Tuesday AFTER us ap-
ro,ntment and the members viii elect from among
themselves a chairman and secretary, aver
which they are directed to proceed with tne IN
yestigation with all convenient speed. ..
The Commission may employ counsel, ehP'elN,e,
engineers and such other assistants as ~ my uein
necessary subpoena and require the attenuahCe ~, IN
This State Of witnesses and the producuon tHeIcu!
of books and papers touching the subjects Oh oie
investigation. and examine them ana suCn pu.VgnC
records of the State it shall require III reiaIloh
10 any matter which II is required 10 iilNts,
For the purposes Of the examination directed me
Commission possesses all the powers coii,eIIeu nS
the legislative law upon committee OF tlo
lature or by the Code OF Civil PROCEDURE upon q
hoard or committee. II may invoke the powei VI
any court OF record I'm the State TO colnpei .ne a.
tendance and testimony of witnesses ana 'ne Pio
duction Of books and papers. -, ,,..or Oh
Tho commission must report 10 tho governor, tne
roa,,i,s az ts examination with its opinion and the
testimony IL snail have taken. on or before June l.
but The Governor upon application or the Somnls.
sion may extend The time of making such irPoIo
moi longer than to July J. Inc report VIII uo
OMEN 10 tho inspection of the public. ana 'he rUN
eiror VIII transmit II 10 the Legislature az ~
onenng OF its next session. with such recoi""'e'"a
t}ons as he deems proper. go . . ,,,, -,,il
The Comnoission will serve without pay, nut WI.
receive Tire actual necessary expenses "a o
the performance OF It's duty. The sum Oh '"'"
IS appropriated for the purposes OF the ac'