New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-02-20
LIGHT UPON THE CEILING.
SEVERAL WITNESSES BEFORE THE ASSEM-
BLY, APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE
A RESOLUTION IN THE ASSEMBLY LOOKING &c
MR.. ANDREws's sUsPENsIoN-J. NJ SIN
CLAIR AND Ex4AssEMBLYMAN WEED
Isr TELEGRAPH TO THE rHuUSE.l

|
thought this morning that in view OF the astonishing
report of the Expert Commission upon the Assembly
ceiling scandal, showing that the contractor had maze
at least s106,500 upon HIS comparatively small con-
tract of So7l 800 the Assembly should request The
Trustees Of Public Buildings to suspend from once
Charles b. Andrews the Superintendent Of Public
buildings, who had charge of the work Hamilton
Fish, r., therefore offered the following;
whereas This House on January 80 appointed com.
mittee OF experts consisting Of Messrs Stanford White
Archluedes Russell. Albert II, Chester and Charles
Brush 10 examine the ceiling Of this Chamber and 70 re-
port as to It's construction, and
whereas The said eommtee' made It's report 70 this
house February IS, and
Whereas The said report shows az least gross mis-
management the part Of G. B. Andrews supefinlend
ent Of Public Buildings in the performance OF his dutes
in Connection with the construction Of said and other work
entrusted to him by Chapter 552 OF the Laws Of 1885,
therefore. be Sc
Resolyed That the attention OF tho Trustees Of the
Capitol consisting Of the Governor Governor
and the Speaker respectfully called % the report Of the
committee experts and said trustees requested 70
suspend the aforesaid G. D. Andrews Superintendent
OF Public Buildings. pending further investigation and
until final action by this House.
Ma. Hamilton objected to the Immediate consider
alton Of the resolution, thinking that is adoption
should be postponed for at least day. and that Mr.
Andrews should be permitted 70 appear before the
Committee on Appropriations, to mako some sort Of
explanation Of his conduct. MI. Sheehan, a member
OF the Ceiling Committee said that he doubted whether
the Trustees of Public Buildings had the right 10
pend Mr.. Andrews, but they could remove him from
Office. In his opinion MIR. Andrews should be re
moved.
Mr. Hamiiton's objection sustained by tho As
sembly and the resolution laid on the table
IL can be taken up tomorrow. Northumberland
Jones and Speaker Cole informed The Tribune cor
respondent hour later that Governor Hll had not
yet summoned any meeting Of the Trustees Of
or suspension Of superintendent Andrews. Lieutenant
Governor Jones said: Il do not think should sus
pend or remove Mr.. Andrews from Office until he has
given his testimony about this transaction TO tho Com
mitteo Of Appropriations"
When the Committee Appropriations met this
afternoon 10 continue investigation John snalth, the
contractor, present He was accompanied by
Matthew Hale, Of tho most prominent lawyers Of
Albany, whom he had chosen as his counsel Mr..
Hale stated that Mr. snalth in view Of the report Of
the experts, desired 10 witnesses his behalf
Mr. Snaith would attempt TO show by the testimony Of
certain wellknOwn bidders that the experts were in
error as TO the actual cost Of tho work and that his
bid low one at S271,l5o. Mr. snaith also
would like to present testimony in rebuttsl OF tho dec
araon Of the experts that the contract had not been
fulfilled when the number Of panels In tho Assembly
| Chamber ceiling was reduced one-hah. Mr. Hale was
Informed that he would be permitted TO appear as
~NN-~ -
be permitted to witnesses in his
defence
Ex-Assemblyman George s. Weed, a member of the
Ceiling Committee. testified that Mr.. Andrews sub
mitted bids to the committee upon its first meeting
although that the first time the committee had
seen the drawings for the work Mr.. Andrews also
seemed 10 be in hurry to have the bids accepted.
Mr.. Gallup. one OF the members OF the committee,
insisted, however upon the publication Of advertise
ments to the effect that the State wished for bids upon
the contract Mr. Gallup said that the contract ought
to be advertised for least two weeks Speaker Cole
suggested that he fact should be telegaphed all ever
the State that the State had such contract TO give
out TO some contractor. Mr. Andrews said he would
have this fact elegraphe all the State by tho
Associated Press.'
g DO you know, Mr. weed,' said Mr. Ainsworth,
"whether Mr. Andrews sent out this notlcelS
81 do not know replied Mr. Weed.
The witness also said that IL was the general I'm
preston Of the members of the Ceiling Committee that
Mr. Andrews TO have charge Of the work and
was really responsible for It.
James N. Sinclair Of New-York testified that he was
sub-contractor Of the Assembly Chamber, and had
supplied the architectural papler mache Of which the
panels OF the Assembly Chamber were constructed
He first knew Of the fact that the contract was 10
BIO given out on May IL, the last day OF tho session
Of the Legislature. He then In Albany on bis
way TO Lansingburg, where he had Job in company
with Mr. Snaith On juno IL he had said 10 Mr. snafh
that he would Ike to have some Of his papler mache
used in IT, On July O be received telegram from
Mr.. snaith, requesting him TO come to Albany. He
did So and had talk with Mr.. snaith about mailing
papier-mache panels for the ceiling. The ground
plan of the work was shown him, and Mr.. snath
said he was willing. TO expend $1,000 or 40 600 more
to have the work well done.
Mr.. Sinclair further said that the change IN the
number OF the panels Of the ceiling was made at Mr.
snaith's request The total cost of tho largo panels
was $3.50 greater than would have been the total
cost Of the smaller panels Mr.. snaith therefore
suffered 10 that extent by diminishing the number OF
the panels Tho panels were designed by q Mr. Hin.
ton There were nine different designs Of panels used
The mouds for the panels were OF perishable nature
and could not be used for over two or three days.
Mr. Ainswofth-Haye you any objections 10 stating
what you received from Nh snaith for this work.
Mr. sinclair-I b-contractcr and In honor bound
not 10 reveal what received II should reveal e. othsr
contractors would not trust me.
Ar. Ainsworth-It 70 me, gsateraen Of the com