New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-12-15
THE PRESIDENTIAL NOMINATION.
Try TELEGRAPH TO THE TBIBUNE.I

GOVERNORS CHANCE IN HIS RACE FOR
THE PRESIDENTIAL NOMINATION.
lBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TBIBUSEI
Albany Doc 14.-Thc surprising TACT was "i'
closed to-day that James Shanahan. the superlh'e''
emf of Public Works. offered his resignation 10 "o>
rnor hin on December o. and that il IS TO take ahoo'
lnon Monday next December 16. Mr.. ShanahdIl j.
one of the chief officers. lie has charge % "0
state canals and of all the public works OF tle 'd',
such a. the construction of new canal bridges anu
thc Iencthening of the canal locks. More OF inc
STATE money passes through his hands Directly INA"
those of any other state officer II the stare iIc's"io
lac cxccptcd who draws and pays out STATE money
in a mechanical way. Mr. Shanahan, py tho i""'
nassed this year. Is authorized to eXpehd @4ooOO0
npon new canal bridges and similar cahdl "" ''n
5000 600 I'm frightening the canal locks ANA To'ooo
I'm Inant aiming the canals In good shape o''Ir az
prouriatons bring up the amount he cApchus :"
- 600 600. Moreover the superintendent OF Phonc
works ba, the authority to yearly hire many thousands
If Iaborcrs. lie thus becomes one OF the chci
political sources in the state from Albany ~
Eutfalo all along the line of the Erie Cahdi, anu
from Albany TO White Hall on the line Oh tiio
CbampIaln canal he has the power to atect mo
potcs Of every county. Next 10 the GoVerhor' '"0
sune,inteudent of Public Works is the most power
fll poltician holding a State Office in the STATE
# is thus apparent that Mr.. Shanalan In reSghlhS
has put enormous power for goOd Ut eNH !" 'ii0 "
Of Governor Hi. /; may be sad that DaNiu !"
INNS chances of obtaining the Democratic nohiha''"
for Pres dent in - have bcen largely hcfes''I ~
Mr. shanahan's resignation. Much surprise IS On
rres,el therefore that he gns his Office, since
te was aupoiutel supe!intendent of Public WORKS by
Grover Cleveland, when the latter was "oNciio' "
1as3 Mr. Cleveland, it is veil KNOWN Is diSo
candidate for President on the Democratic uche'' ou
he must secure the support Of the deIegd'ioh nun
NewYork 10 the Democratic National COhNehuo"
befo,e he can hope TO be nominated superintendent
sbanabans resignation deprvcs Mr. Cleveland oil much
nj his strength and vastly enhances that OF Governor
Hill 1t may be predicted that The Governor WIN
appoint one of his most ardent and shliui partisan
a. Mr. Shanahan's successor. There Is ho cdnai
,ountys hereafter that VIII turn out anything but
delegates for Mr. Hill TO the Democratic Natiohal Coh-
vcntion. Mr. Hill was much stronger as PresldeD-
ga, candidate the moment he received sharahan's
les gnaton.
Why did Mr. shanahan resign his Office! lie denies
that he was frozen ont Of his Office by Governor
Hill On the contrary. n says that he resigned
merely because he desires 10 attend TO his private
business as a contractor. Mr.. Shanahans friends say
that he would have resigned his Office two years ago
but for Nr. Clevelan1s friends, VINO ulScd MN 70
remain I'm Office and thus keep 1t out OF the hahhs Oh
Governor Hin. II is notorious that lor W. W. oia
past the Governor has desired TO possess inc once
but had seen no way TO deprive shanahan OF the
place. There Is some suspicion tlal :hahahdh ., le
Signed because of the coming legislative llscsiisd-
ton Of the granting Of canal contracts 10 the mrlu
of which Controller Wcmpe Is member mat
threatens 10 lead 10 a thorough investigation OF NJ
Shanahan's course i'm granting contracts and OF ms
entire administration of the canals. Much surprise l.
expressed that Mr.. Shanahan should resign MS once
I'm tn face of approaching investigations ne mas
the rcnutc of being an honest official. and therefore
il would seem that he does not resign at tins llhe
fon any fear of the results Of nVestigailun and
nerha1,s the impeach ment of Controller Wemplc.
1t !, not known vet who Governor lilll VIII ap,
point as Mr. shanaban's successor. The saary OF
Ln office Is $4,000 yearly There will he many
patriots Therefore. who will willingly acctpi The
place Mr.. Ill., however, Will appoint on Monday
good politician IN the place.