New-York tribune., 1883-12-21
NEED OF A LEGISLATIVE INVESTIGATION.
THE COURSE THAT Mr.. ROOSEVELT WILL PURSUE
If ELECTED SPEAKER.

THE COURSE THAT MR.. ROOSEVELT WILL fCl'oCh
IF ELECTED SPEAKER.
"The series Of articles now appearing In
THE TRIBUNE about the Irregularities and peculiar
methods Of awarding contracts that prevail IN tle De-
partinent OF Public Works, regard as most damasing to
that department. said Theodore Roosevelt to reporter
of T1IF TRIBUNE yesterday. "Most damaging he re-
peated with emphasis.
"Do you think they should be investigated when the
Assembly is organized" asked the reporter Most
decid edy" replied Mr. Roosevelt, "and II am elected
Speaker 1 will do my best TO secure such
inyestlga cation, and that promptly. III
have the good fortnne to occupy the Speakers cnar
shall appoint forthwith committee for that purpose who
will enter upon this work without any prejudice Tor or
against Commissioner Thompson, but who Will do him
and his department simple and exact justice;
who, II they discover frauds will 'eariessy
expose Them and who Oh the other hand II they
find no frauds have been committed or connived at VIII
completely exonerate Commissioner Thompson and others
who have fallen under suspicion. For myself while am
free to say canddy that the evidence which has thus ar
reached me seems TO justify the grayest suspicion
against the Department of Public Works, If find
that further evidence does not warrant these susplcions
II find that tho alleged facts which have based my
opinion can be dsproved then shall 10 best to clear
Mr. Thon and his su5Ordnates from the asperons
thar have been cast upon them THIS investigating com
ittee should be- far possible nonpartsIn In char
acter II should be composed OF men OF unbemished
character and ability selected with reference to their
special aptitude for the work they would have to do ana
their general knowledge OF city affairs. This committee
should begin its work within few days after the Legsla
ture meets.
"Last year had long list OF specifications OF charges
against the Department of Public Works and woal1 have
asked for AN Investigation but was afr raid Judging by
the course OF the Investigating Committee that
would be conducted under Democratic auspices and would
result only IN liberal application OF whitewash The
Senate committee pushed its investigation only SO far as
necessary force compromise from the Department
OF Public WORKS, and then drew off,"
"Have you formed opinion 10 the necessity OF IN
yestigating other departments OF the city government
eyes think the whole city government generally Is in
peciay should the system transferring unexpendcd bal
be stopped. Practically there are no unexpended
money that Is not the treasury ana which Will have "
be collected by taxation from the people II. ,.,,
will not say that the Park Department needs invest
CATION but II certainly needs the most thorough anu fa
fcal reformation should be made
its work should be confined to the parks II shou nave
nothing to do. now for instance, with Tie opening
sI far from being satisfied with the conduct Of
fhe Controllers Office know nothing against the Dep
nty Controller but the fact remains it has ugly
aspect that he was Deputy Controller In the daSs OF
not begun TO get at the bottom Of the msmanagcmen
ITO use no harsher ternof which we have caught
rlimpses in the Controllers office. 1t needs a
The reporter expressed surprise that Mr.. Roosevelt
bad spoken so candidly and had not been restrain
the speakership ''O6," rejoined Mr.. Roosevelt
Laughing, "t6ose calculations never enter
into my head. I'm not politician. have been told
dozens OF times during my brief that had ruined
Thought about men and things; but STILL here am
"What your chances OF getting the speakersEipp
@wel, don't like TO boast but think they good
Dewitt C. Ittlejohn. who is also prominent cand-
Ehep asked about the disclosures concerning the De
bartment Public Works, and the likelihood OF Legis-
atye investigation he declined to say anything for pub
HeatiOn.