al wall, at $6 $ 23,730.00
62,400 feet B.M. white oak, at $70 4,368.00
------------
Actually paid B by the State $ 28,098.00

On ten of these contracts, originally amounting to $424,735.90 the
State paid $1,560,769.84.--Tilden's _Public Writings and Speeches_,
Vol. 2, pp. 106-108.]

The Governor recommended various measures of reform, notably a new
letting after any change in the proposals for bids. He also suggested
an investigation of the frauds already perpetrated, and for this
purpose the Senate confirmed a non-partisan commission,[1469] who
quickly reported that the work of one contractor showed fraudulent
estimates, false measurements, and a charge of $150,337.02 for
excavations and embankments that were never made. Neither surveys nor
estimates preceded the letting of the contract, while in every
instance he appeared as the lowest bidder. Eleven additional reports
made during the year showed that similar frauds were repeatedly
practised by him and other contractors. In each case arrests,
indictments, and suits for restitution promptly followed.[1470] It also
appeared that the auditor of the canal department, a former Republican
candidate for secretary of state, had made use of his office to
speculate in canal drafts and certificates.

[Footnote 1469: This commission was composed of John Bigelow, Daniel
Magone of Ogdensburg, Alexander E. Orr of Brooklyn, and John D. Van
Buren of New York.]

[Footnote 1470: Indictments were found against the son of a State
senator, a member of the board of canal appraisers, an ex-canal
commissioner, two ex-superintendents of canals and one division
engineer, besides numerous subordinates and contractors.--See
Bigelow's _Life of Tilden_, pp. 262-263; for names of the parties, see
Appleton's _Cyclopaedia_, 1875, p. 558.]

The excitement over these revelations recalled the indignation
following the Tweed disclosures. Every voter in every corner of the
State knew of them. Furthermore, the arrests of contractors and
officials along the line of the canal multiplied evidence of the
Governor's courage. He spared no one. Of the principal officials and
ex-officials indicted all save two were Democrats,[1471] but his
administration knew no party and expressed no concern. Such creditable
public service made a profound impression, and during a visit to the
western part of the State in August, the people accor