Year: 1875

CONCLUSION OF THE EXAMINATION OF MIR. VAN
R. R1cHMoND-soME VERY DAMAGING AD-
MISSIONS


ALBANY, August o. 1875
The examination of Van r. Richmond was concluded
before the Canal Investigating Commission to-day. He
identified the large map of the enlargement of
the Eric Canal the which on
file at the Auditors olco during the sitting
of tho Board in 1862 when the Denison
Port Schuyler contract let The resolution OF the
Commissioners relative to the letting of the
mentioned maps, &c, and he considered ii almost i'm
possible that there should have been of any kind
Mr. Magone-Does the map here exhibited indicate
any sections outlines quantities by
which the line of the canal could be changed9


The witness replied that tdid not; he did not know
whether the canal had been Strengthened not nor
whether any changes had been made in the in
question: map that he knew OF would indicate such
changes; no surveys or measurements of the
work were presented to him at the time of
the letting, except detailed estimates which
upon examination proved to be statements Of quantities
sufficient to absorb the appropriation with reference
to location. At the time of the letting he supposed
that all the requirements of the law had been
complied with He believed that when any
change of the line of the canal to he made
it the duty of the Division Engineer to prepare
maps and surveys of such changes, and from the fact



naturally supposed that the maps there. But he
is satisfied, from the evidence before the
Commission, that there such survey or map
as the law required before the Board He would not be
able from the map to find where the charges were
made nor to ascertain the quantities of work done
He believed now, from examination of the canal
maps that the Strengthening of the canal that work
was positively dsadvantageous to the State.


The witness asked il any maps, plans esti-
mates such as the law required had been submitted to
him prior to the letting OF the contracts to Charles p
skinner, +. B. Van Duscn and H. J. Mowry deepen
ing and dredging Black Rock Harbor at Buffalo, which
were let while he State Engineer, and for which he
voted, and he replied, None"


Being asked if he could any contract for dredg-
ing in tho last fifteen years where soundngs taken
any means provided by which the accounting officers
of the State could check the Engineers monthly cs
mates Of the work done, he replied that he did
not know that he could. There had been
a great deal Of irreguarity in that department.
He was asked If he that the Governor had
stricken out of the Appropriation bill, this spring
numerous items for dredging, because soundings
gncers office by which any misapplcation of the money
could be detected.


He replied that he aware that the Governor had
stricken them out and very properly though he did
not know the reason The examination then con-
cudcd.


CANAL ENGINEERS DISMISSED


The following circular has been sent to the various
subordinate engineers on the Eastern division Of the
Erie Canal -


a meeting Of the Canal Board held on the 18th
inst the resident and division the Eastern di
vision suspended and notified TO show why they
should he removed from Office This action renders
ordinate service in the Engineering Department unnecessary
for the time being and hereby notified that your
vices will not be required after the 2lst inst


5. III. SWEET state Engineer and Surveyor