Research

Administrative History

In response to a special message communicated by Governor Samuel J. Tilden in March of 1875, the State Legislature adopted a joint resolution authorizing the governor to appoint a four-member commission whose duty it was to investigate the affairs of the canals of the State. The legislature followed this by enacting legislation (Chapter 91) empowering the commissioners to issue subpoenas requiring the attendance of witnesses and issue attachments requiring county sheriffs to produce witnesses refusing to obey said subpoenas. False testimony before the commission was deemed to be perjury. The commission was also given the authority to require that necessary documents be produced for its review and was empowered to employ such experts, agents, and other assistants as it deemed necessary. The commission was to report its findings and recommendations to the governor and legislature at the beginning of the following legislative session.