New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-04-14
VIEWS OF GOV. TILDEN.

CONVERSATION WITH LEADING MEMBTR OF THE
PRODUCE EXCHANGE AND OTHER PUBLIC MN
Reform TO BE SOUGHT THROUGH THE MEASURES
RECOMMENDED IN THR HKssAGE-1HE INSPEC-
TORS BILL AND THE RuL GIVING THE POWER
OF SUMMARY REMOVAL or CANAL OFFICERS
FAvORED-OFrCIAL ACCOUNTABILITY THE GREAT
QUESTION OF TIIE HOUR.
ALBANY, n. Y, April ia leading men,
Der OF the Produce Exchange called at the Executive
mansion Monday evening aud found there several public
officers and pnbic men. The Governor was asEed his
view in regard to OF the pending bills relating TO
canal reform He still thinks the ideas OF his spe cia
form the basis Of the most expedient
These are the provisions intended regulate the system
Of making canal contracts and canal expenditures and
the two specifically recommended ere
First: The mspeetors' bill The Governor is in favor
of this bill introduced by Mr.. DAILY in the Assembly
and Mr. Iowery the Senate. The object Of that bill is
publicity. II Is intended to enable the people 10 know
time what is being done by the spending
officers upon the public works the canals the State pr
ons and various buildings being erected by the State
The Inspector will be investigator to aid the Governor
in making inquiry and which it would be impossible for
the Governor to make In person. The information will
be laid before people Tile fact OF the existence of an
official Investigator will be moral restraint on eypend
lures and abuses. Publicity Is the lie OF free govern
mcnt Tho investigator will have no governmental
powers He can DO nothing but obtain Information AS
this information viii I've collected under the direction OF
the Governor and In the first instance, will be for his Use
In the discharge Of his constitutional duties. II seems
proper that the agent should be selected by and changed
In the discretion OF the Governor
Secsnd: Official accountability. The Governors sug
restions AZ to the legislation necessary provide for Off
cia accountability the officers controlling canal tx
pendtres in his special message of which the fol-
lowing is extract:
Another expe,lient worthy OF your consideration is to
enforce the accountability Of the officers charged win
the disbursements Of the public money by Liability 10
SUMMARY removal or suspension. The Constitution, AT
10, Section = commands that provision rhal DC
i officers except judicial, Whose p.ers and duties are
er elections aso for supply the vacancies created
by removals At the close OF the session or the Con-
yention Of Lilo on the day before its na adjournment
II was that except in the Of the Treas
urrr no provision had been for the removal OF state
made elective BY the people Of the state the Con
venti0n undertaking at so late period 10 device
SYSTEM devoved that duty ON the Legislature Tbs
Dower has remained % years unexccntcd II is duty
Of the Legislature which ought no longer 10
r,uan mime rfornieh. Applied tn the Canal Commits
siopers who agents not only IN the appcation Dut
the custody and The SEN MI, Si mn Ine pnrnns
erses great power over the expenditures by his estimate
Uond he an ironroye upon administrative
TEN In accord with The intention OF the Coosltut'"n'
with sound principles 0i government anu Win TIC in
cations OF experience
This contains the only authentic expression OF
the Governors opinions IL Will be observed that he con-
fines his recommendations o the Canal COMMISSIONERS
and the State Engineer is true that the Constitution
coptempates mode OF removal 10 be applied 10 the
other State officers II is true that The state
pr1son inspectors are also spending officers and
that the public feel great need OF remedy
to I've applied to them. The Governor however
thinks that 1t might result that Inherent
method would be applied to such State officers III the
Controller Secretary of State, Acknowledgement ana
TREASURER and there is nothing enegent ABOUT e
cases IL was therefore his preference that the present
bill should apply only to the Canal Commissioners ana
the State Engineer The State Prison Inspectors might
be included bil left for other egiAlatG
The mandate OF the Constitution In respect
10 the hothor State officers might be executed
by separats bill and on different plan
The Governor hetaed TO express these ideas to
such members Of the Judiciary Committee and others
who consulted him As 10 the mode OF enforcing
Official accountability by suspension and removal the
Governor thinks that IN respect to the spending officers
the method onsht to Ne simple, direct and cii-
Gent Tue Congtitution plainly con'tmli~ieJ