New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-03-09
AINsWORTH AND ANDREWS.
THE TWO CHIEF WITNESSES BEFORE THE
CEILING INVESTIGATORS.
CHAIRMAN AINswoRTH TELLS ALL ABOUT TIE
POLITICS In THE CEILING BILL-FAITH
IN ANDREWS sTILL-THE sUPERIN.
TEEDENTys EXPENDITURES
[Br TELronAPu 10 rnB TnlDUsE-l

LOOKED INTO.
lBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUsRl
Albany, March s.--Much interesting and frank tes
timony was given before tho Ceiling Investigation
Committee to-day BY Assemblyman Ainsworth In re-
gard TO the politics. there IN the Ceiling Appro-
priatons bill of last year. The committee permitted
John NJ Bowers, its Democratic counsel, TO conduct
Mr. AnswortFs examination, so that Democratic
and Mugwump newspapers would have no reason 70
aliege that this inquiry to the motives OF tho RIO
publican Legislature in passing the bill In the shape
in which It passed was made By friendly couh-
sell Mr.. Ainsworth showed clearly that the inien-
ton Of the Legislature Of 1888 to protect the lax
payers Of the State from partisan use OF the money
appropriated for the now Assembly Chamber ceiling
Tho Democratic officials In charge Of tho work upo'-
the Capitol had abused the confidence Teposeu IN
them By former Republican Legislatures, ard II was
felt necessary to Great non-partlsan commission 10
hold them IN check. In this way protection was aso
secured for the Republican party In the Presidential
year against the of the Capitol appropriation by
the Democratic party by providing that the work
should be done by contract The Republican Legs
isture also prevented tho employment OF horde oil
Democratic workngmen by Charles B, Andrews, the
Cleveland Democrat and Superintendent of Public
buildings, who was to have the superintendent oil
the work.
Before Mr.. Ainsworth was summoned, f. w.
6abold, manager of the Western Union
Telegraph Company here, came before the committee
and declined to surrender kilograms sent to sna'th,
Mrs Andrews, Sullivan and Rowe during the Iasi
week.
Mr. Ainsworth thon took tho witness stand, and
in response TO questions from Mr. Bowers descriDed
the scare over the Assembly ceiling last year, ana
the various bills that introduced TO provide
new ceiling for the Assembly Chamber. Ar. bowers
then swiftly turned Mr. Ainsworth's attention to the
political features Of tho action Of the Legislature OF
1888 In regard 10 tho ceiling. Mr.. Answorth saia
frankly thar the Republicans had Ssed bill
designed to prevent the Democrats from using the
ceiling appropriation. or any part Of Il, In their
Presidential campaign. Mr.. Ainsworth and Mr.
Bowers had the following interesting conversation
on the subject
Mr.. BowerS-what the politics IN tho eeiiinS
appropriation Law Of 1887
Mr. Answorth-POltcs - 10 whether it would be wise
for the Republican Legislature the Of the Pres
Dental election 10 give work Of such magnitude into
tho funds Of q Democratic STATE oheeI without hAvinR
Republicans associated with him the COmmssiOa That
was discussed.
Mr.. Bowors-why was that discussed
Mr. Ainsworth-Beeause it was scrutlniled BY most
Republicans who leaders in the Assembly last year
/ think In reference 10 the appropriations
Mr.. Bowers--what leaders DO you refer To-
Mr. Ainsworth--well 1 refer to Mr.. Husted, Mr.
Hadley ana Mr. Hamilton, among others. II was INC
feeling among the Republicans Of the Legislature taaS
we should have charge Of making appropriations Of tsat
kind
Nj, BoEcrs-I understand politics you refer 70 IS
being In the bill was II not considered right or
proper to give wholly within The control Of
the Democratsf 80.
Mr. Ainswor.h-Do you ask OF tbis particular bill
M Bowers-An bns; that It was not considered right
or ufoper by any leaders OF the House or any members "
the II ouse that power should be given 70 DcmoeFaSi
Mr.. Ainswcrtb-I have not quite aid that
Mr. Bowcrs-will you state again your oenniuon OF 'ne
politics that was in the bif =.
Nv or
as that it was considered wise or expdent on ns
eve Of the Presidential election 70 make largo eppopd
tions 10 be expended BY Democratic oneiais Wthou'
.,,uunl,ing them with care, making them az sman Is
we could putting them wherever we could in the HANDS
a. anne fepubenns 10 DO associated with them That ieeL
Inc prevailed throughout the House IL was The saoieet
az eaasldorasion IN ths newEpapar we Esrs urged %
them 70 do It. felt Tor one. oueAt TO follow hsf
advice. ala Il
Benr asked 10 name other members OF the Assem-
bly, who had that same feeling Mr. hnsTorh
cited Mr. Hamilton, Of NewYork
Al, Ainswor,h--I think tho feeling was that OK.
pepdureS that n might perhaps DO wise for the state to
make unless there was present exigeney for Aeif I'm
mediate expenditure, had better 90 oehSou Hi A'N' wv
Presidential election.
Mr. BoWers-on what theory aid that FEELING ohlAii
A., Ainavorth-My experience IN politics has tsaght
me that 81 hundred men were 70 Be employed ali DeHn
cr,ts they quite likely would take active Interest 10
me success 81 the Democratic party II fifty were ffpuo
liears and nifty Democrats feel that one would on'et
the other and party We would not be endangered
by t.
governed In the passage Of resolutions or bills in tho AZ
semby By such feelingsi
Mr.. AinswoYth-I do.
Mr. Bowsrs-In making those appropriations you
sider It part Of your duty to $50 that the employees The
lsborers who do work. shall b all Of political
partyi
Mr.. Alnsworh-I felt that 1t was my duty to do hats
yes. sir.
Mr. Bowers-wOuh there have been any difficulty In
doing that this work bad been performed under tao
management Of Commissioner Porryi
Mr.. AInsworth-I do not know that there would.
led think that there would by criticism that had
srseen in public prn; and private discussion over the
men who had been associated with Commissioner Perry
In work which he had done heretofore had very little
respect for Mr Pery's political methods at that Tina
hAye better respect for them now. have been 70
him 10 private conversation and told him that thought
ala him m injustice in speech which made In rci-
erence 10 his work In 1885, the nrst year was here
1 think perhaps 1 msjudged him. entertained hat
feeling most thoroughly, however
Mr.. Bowass-State thh governing motive under which
you cot preparing and voting for bills; whether you
consider mainly tho politics in the bills or solely the IN
tetest Of the State
Mr.. Aiusworth-Mr BowsrS VIII give you, 10 you
viii allow mo, In my Language, statement Of ny
We've Many Of the appropriations which como 10 mo
are for old institutions whore appropriations must 81
necessity be made they expended under the
care Of honorable and reputable men, consisting OF tho
board Of trustees and belonging 10 all parties These
bills were never sefuniEed in reference 70 the poes
that was in then when wo come 70 large hppfop.s
tlon like the Canal appropriation. or like this Capitol ap
precipitation deem my du'y 10 SEQ that the State funds
arc not put in ieeJaEdy by being squanderea
by ether poliuea, partos 1 acted that principle,
ana sc,cd eonscienteusly upon g. should DO II again
M, powe,s-rhen may understand that your idea Of
the polite. Of tho bill meant simply TO protect the State
against either party souanaefing the funds that might DC
appropriated
Nj. AinswoYth--rhat was al ever aaked or desired
or thought would now from y
Mr. Bowera-Then II considered thLt She work would
ee though van had 70 give TO him, wi.a6at any
troll As 70 the men who would do tho work would have
e,t n your duty 70 give him the superlnendenee Of the
wofkf
Mr.. Ainsworth-I should not nave given my consent "
az, .nns,,,,ec6onea OF that work by any person without
aasociasng with him people who belonged 70 ny own