At the New York state election, 1868, he ran for Canal Commissioner on the Republican ticket but was defeated by Democrat Oliver Bascom.
At the New York state election, 1870, he ran again but was again defeated, this time by the incumbent Democrat George W. Chapman.
At the New York state election, 1874, he was defeated for re-election by Democrat Adin Thayer.
During the investigation of the Canal Ring, Barkley was indicted by a grand jury in Buffalo, New York for conspiracy.
Barclay died January 2, 1893 at Argyle, Washington County, New York.