Year: 1875


be a competent man. who would make no mistake, as
he did not think his tMr. Babcock'sl superors would
appoint him unless he was competent as lney had
done at the request or the Governor


To Mr. Miller-We always reserve or allow hfteen per
cent 10 meet errors


10 the Secretary or State- do not know OF instances
is called for don't know Of chestnut being substituted


have used chestnut instead OF oak, considering chest
nut best


TO Mr. Raines-we use hemlock as q foundation in
wet bottoms; IL Is the cheapest and best material
work simply for information; II had nothing do
with lettings; was general survey for the Of the
Legislature II was for letting would have ADVISED


Treasurer Raines called William Scott and he was
sworn He explained tho matter read by the Secretary
OF State, and said he had made of the wall


s Tar as he could regards the Of 40 600 OF
nemlock u was not pointed out to him belonging TO
the contract the copy Of the estimate correct
and this led hlm into the error.


To the Secretary Of State could not detect the error
win tne papers before me unless had the original
estimate, which had not; accepted the estimates


To Treasurer Ranes-I made this explanation before
the commission.


Mr. Raines-why does it not appear in their report


Mr.. scott-That cannot answer.


The Attorney General remarked that this commits
sion made up their testimony in very unfair and
just manner, and II was unfortunate that such men
were up for Office at this time


MI Raines-hr Scott, how were you treated whie
before the commisson2 Were you intimidated in any
way2


Mr. scott-Yes, sir


Mr.. Scott was repeatedly reminded that was un-
der oath, and was charged with perjury that / was
coming there with words put in my mouth by Messrs
Yates and Babcock; this l denied at considerable
length; that ought to appear in the report


Mr.. Raines-Have you seen your testimony since 1t


Mr.. scott-No sir; asked for it frequently but was
told that it was not ready.


To Mr. hiller-I never was told by Yates or Babcock
what must testify to.


To Treasurer Raines-I examined the sand spoken
Of and reported that it was oamy to Babcock he said
it was the best could do and would have to use IL


To Mr.. Mi1er-That was in April and we had orders
to hurry up in order to for the opening of naV
CATION.


Mr.. Raines-Did you make an explanation OF this
matter before the Canal CommissonS


A. Yes, sir.


Q. Why does it not appear in the printed minutes2


A. / do not know sir.


Mr. Raines-It does not appear there.


The Chairman-You don't know that IL does not


Mr. Raines-I do know for have read it all through.


The Attorney GeneraProbably it is left out for the
same reason that in giving the testimony Of Fred
Lord they say the Canal Board accepted the statement
of Fred Lord and rejected that OF the State officers
whereas the State officers gave simply estimate of
what the cost might be- and Lord brought the payros
and bills and all the vouchers and showed everything
In the account they put the statements of the two
being on the same basis-why, do not know, what
the object of the commission is But / do
know 1t Is not fair statement Of the case
at all It - entirely a onesided state
ment, and there is no justification. for these
Commissioners, In any way, shape manner, making
such statement in their report The idea of man
going to the work and saying it ought to much
and another man comes here with his payroll and book
and shows the amount paid every day backed by the
aidavit or the foreman and all the vouchers from
ginning TO end, and then put the statements the
same basis and say the Canal Board accepted and
jected the other, is not right and repeat what said
before it is unfortunate that these should be
ddates for Office at this time


William B. Cooper was called and examined by Mr.
Miller. He said he Division Engineer from 1872 TO
1874; William g. Taylor was State Engineer; Babcock
was with me q portion or the time / remember the
survey for the Champain Canal enlargement; it in
1871 Babcock made the survey; afterwards spoke TO
about two or three months after BabcocIs discharge
particular mention made about the survey Bull
ards Bend Mr Taylor said he did like the looks of
IT. and he did not know about the propriey of retain
ing him; went and investigated the matter and told
Mr Taylor that 1t would not be just to discharge Mr.
Babcock for the reason that did not find that Mr.
Babcock bad altered the figures; about year after
ward he ordered to discharge Mr. Babcock thought
II was on political grounds that he was discharged;


The Lieutenant Governor here stated that unless
there was some further testimony he would declare the
closed.


Mr. Miller said he would like to call ex-State Engi-
neer Taylor unless the Board deemed it unnecessary


Tho Lieutenant Governor thought IL unnecessary.


MI R. j. Hilton was called and sworn IL had charge
of building the swing bridge at West Troy it built
before the appointment of Messrs Yates and Babcock;
there was iron used made the estimate and submit
ted IL to the resident engineer-either to Charles
Hilton, who about that timo engineer, TO
Mr. Babcock, who succeeded him; IT was first pro-
posed to stone counterpose the bridge bat IL
finally decided use iron ore and old scrap iron
to the amount of 100 900 pounds.


To Mr. Fairchild-Thc weight Of the stone not
heavy enough that is the substituted iron
there process by which we could learn how much
stone would be required to answer the purpose; the
plan called for stone did not make the plan.


Mr. Miller then said, that although he had sent for
Mr. Taylor yet If the Board thought his testimony
Unnecessary he would not ask the Board to wait for
him. he suggested afternoon session for hearing OF
q summing up


The Lieutenant Governor said he could not attend


Mr. Raines moved that the Board adjourn till after
the election.


The Lieutenant Governor suggested that the motion
be withdrawn, argument be beard, and then il
thought advisable, the Board could adjourn


Mr.. Raines then modified his motion to read,
'that when the Board adjourn 1t be until the 9th of
November"


Mr.. Willers moved to make il the 9th of October
Lost, to g.


Mr.. Raines motion was then carried


The matter was then postponed till November Q.


The Board then after transacting routine buSi
ness, adjourned.