New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-08-05
THE CANAL REPORT.

The general belief that the canal improve
ment. on which the people voted to spend
80. OOO. 900. and which before it is half finished
has absorbed that whole sum. has been man
aged with scandalous disregard Of the interests
of the State is confirmed by the report OF the
Commission The report is severely moderate
In tone but il Is a conclusive Indictment OF the
officials responsible for the work. and 1t is
unanimous. Governor Black. having deep
and anxious personal interest In the matter.
appointed an honest and competent commits
sion. has given the full result OF its investi-
CATION to the people and has taken suitable
steps to ascertain whether or not judicial pro-
ceedings should now ensue. The Attorney-Gen-
eral. pleading overwork has declined for rea-
sons best known to himself. to undertake the
task of examination, and it has been assigned to
Judge Countrymap-a transfer which. we think.
is not to be regretted For a time, therefore,
the consequences to individuals OF the work OF
the Commission cannot be safely predicted, but
intense interest in the personal and political
aspects Of The case has instantaneously devel-
oped and temporarily even the war will become
secondary copcern in the minds of many. Al
ready it is reported that some Republican poll
ticians whose devotion to Governor Black has
bringing a nasty scandal under public observa-
ton; and for this reason 1t is desirable to say at
once that he has done difficult duty coura'
geously, and. because he is himself In greater
or less degree responsible for the conditions
which made such scandal probable, deserves
not censure but special commentator.
The main conclusion Of the Commission Is
that in various ways there has been Improperly
expended on work legitirnately within the scope
of the improvement not less than $1,OOO'OOO,
and that not less than 81 100000 has been used
on ordinary and extraordinary repairs which
belonged to canal maintenance and for which
nothing ought to have been taken out OF the spe-
cial appropriation So far as II was honestly
spent this latter sum was not loss to the State,
but II was unwarrantably employed. In gen.
eral the work of improvement has been well
done and ought to be completed. though 1t will
call for more than 900. That is a prOpo-
sition on which 1t Is for the present unnecessary
TO dwell That the money will not be forthcom-
ing In the near future Is reasonably certain.
What the people will think about 1t. when they
have had time for dispassionate review of the
situation, remains TO be seen.
One million dollars therefore, Is the sum
which has been prohigatcly taken from the peo-
Die IN prosecuting d Jop Which uub tnuS tar COST
50. 600. OO0-one- ninth of the whole. Possibly
some of those connected with its absorption are
ostopished at their own moderation. We have
said that the report Is conservative In state
ment. We do not mean that II Ia too much 10.
On the contrary. 1t derives peculiar impressive
ness from It's cold rehearsal and analysis Of the
evidence. 1t brings no accusation Of robbery
against any person, but II reveals on every pnsc
the miserable combination Of inefacfcncy. neg
lect, interruptions preference of private to pub
lie interests and political craft which has char
acterized the work from Its inception. II lays
bare no monumental plundering Of the state
with deliberate intent to plumber, but II dis
closes the low sense Of public care with which
official agents Of the people entered upon the ex'
ecution Of great enterprise and their constant
indifference to obligations which ought to have
commanded their answering devotion. The