New-York tribune., 1874-04-23
4 COMNISSION IN NEED or
REFORM.

THURLow WEED on THE ExTRAvAGANr COST OF
The NEW STATE CAPToL-AN IMMEDIATE RE-
FORM IN THE CAPITOL COMMISSION THE DUTY
OF THE OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES SUGGESTED FOR
A NEW CoMMIssIoN-DELAY FRAUGHr WITH
DANGER. ~
TO the EdikOr Of The TribUne.
SIR: The present State Caritol, which answered
the purposes for which it erected for more than
20 years, cost less than 100000. When the propri-
ETY. if not the necessity. for an enlarged Capitol
became apparent the question of costwas discussed
in the Legislature. Some maintained that new
Capitol adapted to the existing wants of the State
could be erected for S5OOGOO No one admitted that
its cost would exceed Sl,0O0,0O0. After several
years discussion and delay an intiatory law author
izing the purchase of a site was passed. Subse-
quently. architects were employed, from whose
various designs the most elaborate and magnificent
was adopted. That plan called for building more
than twice as large as the business of the State
re1ures and in place of the simplicity of archtec-
tnre appropriate to such ediices rendered as
fantastical in style and appearance as the
mosques and pagodas of heather countries.
From that moment not a reasonable doubt existed
but that the State was in for most expensive and
discreditable job. Every step in the progress OK
construction has confirmed and strengthened public
apprehensous. Investigating committees are not
an immediate reform, the State to be swindled out
of millions of dollars The work is not half done.
yet it has cost twice as much would have COM
peted Capitol, had the money of the people been
wisely and honestly expended. SO far only stone
and cement have been required. but as the building
advances, carpenters plasterers, &c, &C.. Will bs
needed, opening rich placers for plunder The his
tories of the New-York and Harlem COurt-housea
and the Elmira Asylum will be repeated
The fault is in the times. Everything IS out OK
Joint, more especially in public affairs. Sad work
has been made in official quarters. Honesty Is an
almost obsolete idea; conscience is an unparlia-
mentary word" Sanborn contracts prove that fraud
and corruption are not limited to municipal OF State
governments.
will not attempt to explain the Of such
widespread decentralization. Much Of it probably
is attributable to the war, consequent upon which
came an inundation of paper currency, with the
improyidence and waste incident to cheap money.
II so many common men did not wear expensiyo
diamonds and SO many women did not sweep the
streets with thousand-dollar skirts frauds and de-
facations would not form the staple of newspaper
intelligence
do not even know who the State Capitol Com
missioners are, nor haveI read the testimony now
being heard by committee of the Legislature. But
do know that an immediate and thorough REFORM
on the 3Oth inst feel constrained to impress that
duty upon it, earnestly and emphatically. II, as
was informed by Mayor Havemeyer this morning,
the management of the Brooklyn Bridge is connect
ed with the management Of the new State Capitol.
the duty Of reform becomes all the imperative
So far the Legislature, both in what it has done and
in what it has declined to do, commends its action
to popular favor. But the last few days Of legsla-
ton full of danger With the best intentions, II
the sternest will and the utmost watchfulness be
not exercised, not only in committees, but by ndi-
yidual members "jobs" and steals will find their
way into maturing bills.
The longer the duty of reforming the Capitol
Commission is delayed. the difficult will be its
accomplishment. The present Legislature will en-
title itself 20 the appreciation OF the whole people
by arresting evil which will seriously depete tho
Treasury and as seriously dishonor the State
Although in the erection Of public buildings cor
ruptiOn has become the rule and honesty the exeep
tion capable and upright men can be found III d
law be passed leaving the selection OF Colnmlsson-
to Gov. Dix should have no doubt OF MS aDnty
and disposition to find the right men for the rgns
place. Or II the Legislature should tnnk proper 70
appoint the Commissioners, and rise above poticai
and personal preferences names could be inserts1 IN
the bill of men whose proyerbal integrity woulu 20
universally recognized and upon whose appon.niion
members would look back with just pride. CONSCIOUS
Of no motive but that of endeayorng 10 render sono
service to my native State, Will venture, even az
the hazard of being msapprehended, TO Indicate tho
class from which trustworthy commissioners mlsi psi
be selected, remarking that my observation leaus
me to believe that commission consisting OF tnrec
or five members has been found more eficlens
and useful than any larger number. And for suen %
Commission the Legislature could not by select
ing such men as George W. Patterson Of Chantalqna.
Heman j. Redteld of Genesee, Addison Gardner
or Henry r. Selden of Monroe, Elias w. Leayen-
worth Of Onondaga, Edward Dodd Of Washington.
John II: Van Antwerp or William f. Allen = Of AZ Al
bany Horatio Seymour OF Oneida, Edwin D. MOI. MOI
mission thus constituted and Visscher Ten Eyck or
Albany as its general superintendent, the people
would get the worth of every dollar Of their money.
With such q commission, if too much money has nos
already been squandered stolen, the new Caption
would not cost more than was originally paid ior
the construction Of the Erie and Charnplain Canals
while IL things 60 on as they are going, instead or
the six millions paid for our canals our Capitol wiik
not be completed for double the amount T.w.
Av- -ygt April n aKlA b.. ....- -a5'