The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-11-14
state Offices TO be Filled.

Among tho earliest duties of Gov. Ron
INsoN will be the appointment, by and
with the advice and consent of the Senate,
of Superintendent of Public Works and
q Superintendent of State Prisons. These
appointments are devolved upon him by
virtue OF amendments to the Constitution
adopted at the recent election.
The superintendent OF Public Works
will take the place of the three Canal Com
mssloners, whose Offices are abolished.
Subject to slight limitations, he is to have
full charge OF the repair, navigation, con-
struction, and Improvement Of the canals;
and, under the control OF the Legislature.
lie is to make all rules and regulations for
their navigation and use. He is empowered
to appoint three assistants and numerous
other subordinatos TO aid him in the dis
charge of his duties. He holds office rs
long rs the Governor does who appoints
him, gives heavy bonds for the faithful
execution of his trusts and ia liable to re-
moval from Office on charges by the Gov
ernor.
1t is sixtv-six years last March since DE
WIT CLINTON and his six associates were
appointed To explore a route for canal
from Hudson river to Lake Erie; and IL is
sixty years last April since CLINTON and his
four associates were appointed Canal Com
misloners. From that day till now the Of
fee of Canal Commissioner has been as ia
milar to the people of this state rs that of
Governor. The abolition of the Office. and
the substitution of a Superintendent in
place of the three Commissioners, clothed
with larger powers than they possessed, Is
a radical revolution in our canal system.
II fortunate for the State that the ap-
pontment Of this officer devolyes upon
Governor who is so thoroughly acquaint-
ed with our canals and their management,
and the enormous abuses aud frauds that
have arisen therefrom. as LUcGUs RoBTS-
soN. Though the majority of the Senate
are politically opposed to him, they Will
hardly dare to refuse to confirm u nom
inee who is worthy 10 occupy so RESPONSE
BILE place.
Though the Superintendent Of State
Prisons Is not so important an officer as
the Superintendent OF Public Works, he
- IN some respects charged with duties
more delicate and serious, for they relate
10 humanity and the restoration Of erring
man to the ways of virtue. Tue Superin-
tendent appoints numerous subOrdinates,
and manipulates large sums OF money.
He takes the place OF the three present
inspectors of State Prisons, whose Offices
are abolished. lie holds for five years, but
can be removed on charges by the Gov
ernor. In substance, his powers are like
those of the three Inspectors.
To put these two new offices in proper
running order. some legislation Will be
necessary. Though the Senate and As
sembly will both be under Republican
control. we trust that they will show 10
factious hostility to enacting proper laws
for that purpose.
Three other posts OF much Importance
| are ut the disposal of Gov ROBINSON. A
| Canal Appraiser is to DC appointed TO al u
vacancy. The superintendent of the
Banking Department and the Superinten-
dent of the Insurance Department are now
| holding over.
Here are five unusually influential posts
at the disposal Of GOV. RoBISsoV. There
will no doubt be great pressure upon
him by candidates and their friends. w,
ICED hardly say to so experienced public
man that at least two-thirls OF those who
will apply for these high places are totally
unit to occupy them.