New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-04-29
ALBANY
TRUSTEES VIOLATING THE LAW.

TRUSTEES VIOLATING THE LAW.
GOVERNOR CORNELL RECOMMENDS TO THE SENATE
THE REMOVAL OF THE TRUSTEES OF THE BiNG-
HAMTON ASYLUM.
IFROM THE REGULAR CORRESPONDENT OF THE TRtRUNRI
ALBANY, April 28.-When Troy clergyman
prayed for the good health of Governor Robinson
instead of Governor Cornell" in the Assembly
this morning, he must have had some pro-
phetic insight into the shock the former gen.
teman would receive during the day, for Gov
ernor Cornell recommended TO the Senate, Iater'
that the trustees of the BinghamtOn Insane Asylum
who were appointed by Governor Robinson should DO
removed from office for their extrayagant management
Of the affairs of thai institution.
Mr. LetchwOrth the president OF the State Board OF
Charities and Deputy Controller Gaen, as the result
of q very careful examination of the affairs OF the
asylum, made very damaging report. This report
Controller wqdsworth Friday last sent to Governor
Cornell, with the following comments:
The report shows very concusiyely that the entire
cctdngy cX,rayaGant 9anEe al GS.hO sdcain GI
g T '' to enlarge !Ge RinelamtOn ASYLUM
Of the facts brought ont in the. jont report Of Mr.
LatchwOrh Mr. GallieD, do rot see how ne inure
success of the institution can be attained uhuGr Ine
present management therefore recommend the ie
moval OF the trustees"
The trustees whose removal is asked are Alyr Deve-
reux william s. smith, Edward ID. Van syck Garvis
A. Ford. Efastus Ross ana Frederick o. Cable Ipese
trustees were all appointed by Governor Robinson
In the year 1879 The present year two additional
trustees, both Republicans, were APP oinci, nut lhey
have not had ANYTHING do with tue cXtt3vagant eX-
uonditufes The state Board OF Charities, in January,
1879. recommended that the BnghamtOn luebllAg
Asylum, which mad proved q failure 9e transformer
into an insane asylum, the cost Ot when l1cy
estimated would amount to $4,000. Inc Leg
isature generously appropriated $4,000 lor
the purpose The Board of Trust es appears, not only
spent tins amount, hut also $4,000 additional, without
authority OF law. The present Legislature came I" hr
aid and appropriated $67, 900 more for the asylum
Now the trustees ask tnlrd appropriation amounting
to &l1 6O6J In other words an asylum Wlllch WaS 10
cost only $4,000 is to be made 10 cost S24S,OGJ
The TtpGrt OF Mrssrs. Galen ana LetchwOrth SHOWS
that S31.352 30 has been expended by the trustees
for extras Of contractors days work aud materials OF
various kinds without competition, thur entang great
loss to the state. The only account kept OF the mate
rails covered By $4,000 Of extras allowed TO Contractor
Sullivan was left to the contractors foreman; no
tally being kept by any employed by the StatG.
In addition to tile Sl3J.OOO already appropriated
"a further large wil ne required 10 complete lHc
work the present scale Of expenditures To make the
buildings available for the reception OF any consider
able number OF patients. The trustees contracted
liabilities approaching the whole amount
of the second appropriation III VOCATION
Oi law. huge safe has been placed In the A+yium NJ
fixed price of 5000 to De pad Tor when IuHus
are auprOpriqtcd Tor the object. Tie medical
superintendent said that he had suggested TO the char
man Of the Board the prOprCty OF inviting IrpOsal5 Tor
cunl and that the suggestion had not hccn we'll received
IL was asceTiainrd that the coal could nave
bpeu purchased al 90 to 20 cents per ton less than
was paid for II. Over -, 900 worth was purchased
Tue Scuac, at Senator Halbrrt5 suggestion, decided
10 appoint II special committee to Investigate me
charges. Senator uliDcTt uCUlucu 10 serve 10 thc