New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-12-16
will resign before many months and retire from active
railroad management
HILLS GRIP ON THE CANALS
WITH SHANAHAN OUT OF THE WAY TIE
LAST HOPE FOR CLEVELAND
is GONE
THE RESIGNATION OF THE SUPERINTENDENT
ATTRIBUTED TO THE PROSPECT OF AN
INvESTIG ALTON -REsIGNATIoN
OF GENERAL SICKLES.
IBr TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE.

Albany, Dec. 15.-There Is great agitation here
among the Cleveland Democrats today in
quence Of the resignation Of James shanahan as Su-
perintendent of Public Works. All of them ac-
knowledge that Mr.. Cleveland's chances of being
renomnated for President in 1892 have been mate-
rally lessened by Mr.. shanahans resignation. From
Albany TO Buffalo in every canal county Governor
Hill will now succeed Mr. Cleveland as the Demo
cratic leader. The Governor at the Democratic
state Convention gained possession of threefourths
of the seats in the Democratic State Committee.
Mr. Shanahan's resignation throws into Mr. Hills
hands nearly every remaining seat in the committee
held by the Cleveland men. 1t Is difficult to see
where in the State delegate to the Democratic
National Convention could be elected by Mr.
Cleveland's friends 1t will not matter in any case
TO Governor Ill., his supporters say If Mr.. Cleve
land has three or four Of the delegates because
under the unit rule" adopted at the Democratic Ma
| tional Convention Of 1884 the NewYork delegation
will cast its vote as unit, and therefore Mr. Hill
| will have the seventy-two votes OF Newly ork, de-
spite the adverse sentiments of small minority Of
| the delegates.
Mr. shanahan's resignation puzzles the Cleveland
men, because he did not any Of them Of his nten
| tIons In view of hs intimate political relations with
them, they cannot understand his conduct That any
man should resign 10000 Office is considered strange
They believed that Mr.. Shanahan desired TO retain his
Office The thought has arisen in their minds in view
because he Is troubled in mind by the approaching
investigation of the Canal Department by the Repub
lcan Legislature. Senator FaSsett, the president pro
TEN. of Che Senate, here few days ago. and Is
reported to have made inquiries which indicate that
as soon the Legislature meets an investigating com
mittee will be appointed to overhaul superintendent
shanahans and contracts with big contractors
ever since he took office in 1883 For six years from
81 100000 to SO 900 900 has been yearly disbursed
| by Mr.. Shanahan Special attention will be paid by
the investigating committee 10 the contracts oil Con-
troller Wempe's firm with the Canal DC
partment Mr.. Wemple and Mr.. Shanahan i've
near other in Montgomery County, and have
been intimately acquainted Mr.. Shanahan is said to
have felt deeply the public criticism eveled at Con-
troller Wemple for his relations with canal contracts
Mr.. Shanahan also much disturbed by the fact
that j. G.. Ashe his sonn-law, had given contracts
as Deputy superintendent of Public Works TO firm
in Fultonville with which he was connected. Mr..
Ashe, like Controller Wemple, signed stipulation that
he would not take any of the profits arising from
these contracts and thought this freed him from
blame. But Superintendent shanahan forbade Ashc
TO take any more such contracts. lie is reported 10
have said 10 Ashe:
The public Will not say that j. G. Ashe is respon-
sible for the TongdOing, If wrong has been done
but that James Shanahan is the man."
Some OF the Cleveland men think that Shanahan, ap
prehensve of the legislative Investigation has resigned
his place. If so, he is mistaken in thinking that hI
resignation will put end TO the intention OF 1hC
Republicans to make an investigation Of the canal do
partmentL That Will be proceeded with and it may
end in the Impeachment of Controller Wemple.
Governor Hill, it Is said, will appoint Mr. Shana'
hams successor early tomorrow morning. 1t Is rl
mored tonight that canal contractor of Buffalo
recommended by William F. Shcehan, will be appointed
TO succeed Mr.. Shanahan This will not end Governor
Hilps political appointments strengthen himself as
a candidate for President 1t is said that he will ap
point Thomas Z. Benedict of Ellenvie, as Banl
torney- General Tabor to select Isaac Ii. Maynard az
first Deputy Attorney General. Both Mr. Bcnedic
and Mr.. Maynard held high Federal postio at Wash
ingtOn which were given them by Mr. Cleveland
Mr. Hill knows that they acquired large acquaintance
at Washington with the Democratic politicians of Ohc
States. II is therefore important TO him. in view o
his Presidential aspirations, to obtain their aid in out
side States. and to detach them from Mr.. Cleveland
This he will do by cOntcfring Office upon them here
A dispatch received from Ncw-POrk tonight says
that General Daniel f. Scklcs has resigned his pos
Civil Service Commissioners Another good posi-
tion IS, therefore, in Governor HilPs possession TO be
bestowed upon some partisan of his. All of thesf
appointments the Governor will make before the
LEGISLATURE meets. in order 10 escape submitting the
prevail Recess appointments hold good. although
the senate may not confirm them. Mr. ShanahanS
resignation and that of General Sickes come at an
oppOrunc moment for Mr.. Hi. 1t Is said that
Diedrch Willers is TO be reappOinted Deputy Sccre
tary of state. No better appointment cOuld be made
by the Secretary of State eelect. Mr.. Willers Is
highly efficient. faithful and able officer: and his
appointment would be received with much gratifca
tion by all those who have business in the Office OF
he Secretary of State,