New-York tribune., 1884-01-17

Of such appropriations, indicates purpose 10
benefit private property rather than to achieve
public good. Thgplan of the Commission Is
on a colossal scalo4t,nd if carried out according
to the ideas of 81 Fe of its advocates in the
House It will sooX make a large hole in the
Treasury surplus. 1t will be interesting to note
how far the Democrats, who profess to be so
anxious for. economy and reform, will go on
this question.
Among the patronage grabbing measures
which the Democrats rushed through the last
Legislature was one in regard to the State
Capitol Mr.. Perry, the Superintendent who
was appointed to carry out the purposes OF that
Act, in his apparent eagerness to meet the ex-
pectations of the Manning Democratic machine
has got himself into trouble. He has not only
used up all the appropriation for continuing
work on the building, but in violation OF law no
has incurred obligations to the extent Vi
$4,000 for which no appropriation had Deeh
made. The Senate yesterday wisely ordered an IN
ouiry into this matter In New ork city depart
ment head gets over such difficulty by secur-
ing @transfer" of some alleged unexpended
balance, but Mr. Perry has no such fund at his
disposal. There has been so much looseness In
the construction of the Capitol Building that 1t
is time the line was drawn somewhere, and the
officials in charge of it made to understand that
the statutes are not to be broken with lmpunty.
The special committee named by Speaker
Sheard to investigate tho departments OF the
government of this city will command the
public confidence 1t is composed of men of
ability, integrity and legislative experience
Mr.. Roosevelt the Chairman, is familiar with
the affairs of the metropolis, is in dead earnest
in all he undertakes, and is as upright as he Is
alert and capable. The other majority |
members Messrs O'Neil of Franklin and Erwin |
of St. Lawrence are recognized leaders in the |
present House whose vote and influence in |
previous Legislatures have invariably been for |
the people as against the jobbers. Like Mr. |
Roosevelt they both sat in the Assembly of |
18S2-'83. The eminority members, Messrs Welsh |
of Niagara and Nelson, can be trusted to do their
whole duty. Their record last year was
good-they were among the Democrats who,
thinking less of partisanship than of fair play,
voted to give the Republican Sprague the seat
which was withheld from him. This is not
committee which is organized to convict or
acQuit anybody 1t is organized to investigate
thoroughly without fear or favor. We believe
it Will render good and faithful service.
The Superintendent of the House of Refuge
on Randalrs Island has frequently received
from THE TRIBUNE for the zeal
and efficiency with which he conducts the
work of that institution. We
give place, therefore, to his reply to
Commissioner LetchwOrth's strictures on the
contract system of labor. He explains the
methods adopted in the IOuse of Refuge and
contends that while the contractors are required
to furnish the instructors, or Overscers in the
mechanical departments, the officers and
trustees of the institution do not rclinquish
their authority. Discipline Is not enforced by
The employers agents, but by officials who are
to- the superintendent; the contracts
may be terminated ninety days after notice
md the instructors are only appointed aftor
eceiving the approval of the management, and
nay be dismissed for violations of tho
equations. Although Superintendent Jones
S sensitive to any stricturcs upon the ad-
of an institution with which
le has been connected for thirty years, he
dmits that he is not anxious to sustain the