The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-03-22
MALFEASANCE IN OFFICE.
INVESTIGATING CHARGES PREFERRED AGAINST
A. C. POWELL, SUPERINTENDENT OF THE
oNoNDAGA SALT SPRINGS RESERVATION.
[BY TELEGRAPH TO THE HERALD
SYRACUSE. N. Y, Ma

SYRACUSE. n. ", March 81, 1879.
The democratic managers of the charges of NAL
feasance in Office against A. G. Powell. State Supern
tendent Of the Onondaga Salt Springs Reservation,
are preparing 70 push the investigation with vgor
next Monday. Samuel I. Benedict, Governor Robin
sons commissioner to take testimony, writes that
he will be in Syracuse Monday. when he hopes
during the week to finish the The last investi
CATION, which adjourned in December. led to change
in the programme. The old charges COW
cred work against A. c. Powell. Son 4 Com
pany. An examination of tho books IN court
developed the fact that work had also
been done for the State by Powell Son. After the
late adjournment amended charges were made by
the managers, Messrs. Beach & Garfield. to cover
work done by Powell 4 Son of the character as
that done by A. G. Powell. Son Il Co. One new
charge was also made against tho superintendent
that of unequal distribution of brine witness for
the state. salt manufacturer testified that super
intendent Powell refused point blank to give
to block adjoining. The only reason
he knew for the superntendcn:'s refusal was
work done at Powell x Co. machine shop. Tho
managers believe they have already = strong case
plainly violated the Revised statutes. which declare
that the superintendent OF the salt Springs shall not
be directly indirectly Interested in any work done
STRONG EVIDENCE AGAINST POWELL.
The testimony taken this point has come from
a member OF the firm of A. &. Powell. son Co.
and also from the books of the same firm IL shows
that Superintendent Powell has been during his
term u member of firm which has done bust
ness for the State. This firm purchased
engine for $3.50. repaired the same. figuring the
whole expense. including profit on work and
rial at 500. superintendent Powell acting state
agent then bought this engine of his own firm.
paying $3.50. making secondary profit OF over
$1,000. Another damaging piece of testimony was
elected ia a contract made by the Superintendent
with wheclw right for wafer wheel The wheel
wright let the contract for furnishing the iron
work, without competition. to the firm OF
which the superintendent is member. The
firm did the work for the wheelwright,
charging for il, including profit for labor
aud material sa4j. The state paid for this work
done by Powclls firm. 5000. showing another
transactions of similar character were shown. II Is
estimated that the has lost owing 20 the lack
OF competition In bids for work and charges like the
above, $l0OOO TO $4,000 per year tor the last
five years. The charges first made were brought by
large achinists and manufacturers OF this
city OF the political complexion the
superintendent. They claimed that he used his
position superintendent of the Salt Springs to
compel salt manufacturers to employ his firm in
making new machinery and IN repairing old
machines. The defence forcshadowed IL that when
Mr.. Powell became Superintendent he surrendered
hts interest in all the firms far State work
concerned but retained 1t in all other matters. Tho
testimony already .adduccd on this point is that
separate books accounts were kept; that the same
did business for the state and others; that the
men were employed at the same shop, and the
machinery was used and the stock taken
from the common stock of the firm.