New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-03-18
CANAL COMMISSION NAMED.
SEVEN WELL-KNOwN MEN APPOINTED
BY THE GOVERNOR.
DARWIN r. JAMES. FRANKLIN EPSON. FRANK
BRAINARD AND A. FOSTER HIGGINS THE
NEW-YQPK CITY AsrAtprrc r-o1.p

BRATNARD AND A. FOSTER HIGGINS THE
NETWORK CITY MEMBEEs-FouR RE-
PUBMCANs AND THREE DEMOCRATS
Albany, March 11.-Governor Black tonight
aennounced his selection of a commission to In
vestigaet the expenditure Of the S9.OO0OOO ap-
proprated for the canals. The commission
chosen is as follows:
GEORGE CLINTON. OF Buffalo. a grandson OF
the founder of the canal. MIR. Clinton is n Re-
publican in politics.
SMITH NJ. WEED. O, Plattsburg. man with
great business interests and wcknown in
Democratic politics
DARW,N r. JAMES. of BROOKLYN. president Of
tion Republican.
FRANKIIN EDISON. formerly Mayor OF New
York city. engaged in large commercial enter
prses: Democrat.
FRANK BRAINARD. OF New-York City. president
or the Produce Exchange; a Republican.
A. FOSTER HIGGINS, Of New-York City, chair
man Of the Harbor Committee of the New-York
ness man. Mr.. Higgins is an Independent Dem
WILLIAM MECHRON, Of Glens Falls wealthy
merchant and lumberman Mr. McEchron is
Republican.
MANY MEN DECLINED TO SERVE.
1t was late tonight before Governor Black
completed the list with the consent Of those ap-
pointed. The matter Of obtaining the consents
has been the chief cause of delay. score Of
men of public and business prominence had been
asked to become members of the Commission.
and after weeks of pressure had declined
Among those whom the Governor requested TO
serve were Judge Charles Andrews, of Syracuse,
the lately retired Chief Judge of the Court of
Appeals; ex-Judge Francis NJ. Finch, of Ithaca,
former member of the Court Of Appeals; wilson
s. Bissell of Buffalo. former law partner of ex-
President Cleveland and -Postmaster-Gen-
eral: General Charles Tracey Of Albany. an ex-
Congressman and a prominent Gold Democrat;
ex-senator George B. Sloan. Of Oswego. a canal
adv ocate and Republican Of prominence, and
j. Edward Simmons president of the New-York
Clearing House Association.
DUTIES OF THE COMMISSION.
The Commission will meet in this city next
Tuesday and organize. The bill provides that
the Commission shall investigate the work al
ready done Of enlarging and improving the Erie
Chauplain and Oswego canals; the contracts for
such enlargement and Improvement. and
whether they were properly made; the amount
of money actually expended for such purposes
and whether It has been properly expended; the
proportion Of the enlargement and Improvement
included in such contracts and that not In
cluded therein: whether any money in excess Of
that provided VIII De Te4ulleu u Coihlic'V 'ii0
enlargement and Improvement. and what
amount: such other matters in connection with
the work as. in the judgment or the Coninls-
sion are Of public interest.
The Commission may employ counsel experts
engineers and such other assistants as II may
deem necessary 1t may also subpoena and re-
ouire the attendance in this State OF witnesses
and the production of books and papers touch-
ing the subjects Of investigation, and examine
them and such public records of the state as IL
shall re1uire II may invoke the power or any
court of record in the State to compel the at
tendance and testimony OF witnesses and the
prOductiOn Of books and papers.
The Commission must report TO the Governor
in writing the results OF its examination, with
its opinion and the testimony IT snail nave
taken on or before June !. 1898; but the Gov
ernor upon application Of the Commission may
extend the time of making such report, not
longer than to July l. The report is TO be open
to the inspection of the public. and the Cover
nor is 10 transmit it to the Legislature at the
ouening Of it's next session, with such recon-
mendations as he deems proper.
The members Of the Commission serve WITH
out pay but will receive the actual necessary
expenses incurred in the performance of their
duty Ten thousand dollars is appropriated Tor
the purposes of the act.
Members Of the various commercial bodies or
the State who were in the city to-day 10 attend
the hearings on the canal bills said tonight
that the Commission most carefully Sc
lected