New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-02-18
THE WORK ON THE CEILING.
GOVERNOR HILLS KEEN INTEREST IN TIE
ASSEMBLY REPAIRS.
HE SUGGESTS AND EXCLUDES CERTAIN MEM
BEERS FROM THE co8IMIrTEE-HIs DELAY
WITH THE APPROPRIATION BILL
THE EXPERTS READY TO REPORT.
[BY TELEGRAPH TO THE rRIBUSE.l

THE EXPERTS READY TO REPORT
[BY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUsEl
Albany, Feb. 17.-Govemor HIPS relation 10 the
work on the Assembly Chamber ceiling is even closer
than has been suspected. He not only suggested
the appointment Of the Democratic members OF he
Ceiling Committee, but also of Of the Republican
members. MI. shoehan and Mr.. Weed were his oirect
appointments Mr. Sheehan showed how worthy ne was
of such public trust by approving the contract ior
the ceiling aork without reading its specinceuohs'
Undoubtedly he had absolute confidence In O. De All
drcws tho aeGnoeratic Superintendent Of Buildings,
who was 10 perform the work @r Andrews Would
hardly have employed Rowe, the architect, late IN
May and put him at work upon the plans ior INC
Assembly ceiling unless no had been privately 'oia
by Governs, Nil that he would sign the Dill aPpro
priatng MsoSy for that ceiling 1t may be adaeu n'
Governor h!a showed his keen interest In the "noio
matter by threatening not to sign the Ceiling ApP''
praton bill If a certain Republican was to be mem
Der Of the committee and that he sought and ooaeo
the names of the members Of that committee before
signing the act. Assemblyman Hadley, of Uranium
County, was the excluded man. He had ohenueu
the Governor by refusing, member Of the Assem-
bly, Committee on Ways and Means, to sign "mte-
washing report on the Governors unlawful purchase
of a musical clock billiard tables and expensive iul-
nitIre for the Executive Mansion. The appointment
Of Mr.. Enz a member Of the Ceiling Committee was
suggested by the Governor This was perhaps nat
ural view of the fact that Mr. En- signed the white
washing report on the Governors expenditures. 1t
may be remarked here that people I'm Albany are slow
10 believe that the Governor viii comply
with the request that wo shall suspend Charles b.
Andrews. the superintendent Of Public Buildings,
in view of the fact that Andrews acquesced in the
diversion by the Governor of the public building fund
to the purchase OF costly furniture for the Executive
mansion. To which may be added that Mr.. Enz Is
the only member OF the Ceiling Committee who re
members that tho words "papier mache' were IN the
contract for the reconstruction Of the ceiling.
As stated before, Mr.. Andrews is a Democrat but
the Republican Legislature Of 1883, when IL acted
on the appropriation Of 1878 900 for the construction
of new ceiling, specified that tho work herein au-
thorized shall be performed by the Superintendent OF
Public Buildings Governor Hill, therefore, knew
when he signed the act on June that Democrat
was to perform the job The Governor received the
bill appropnating 900 for the work on the ad
journment Of the Legislature upon May IL, but no
did not sign the bin until June o.
Mr. HIPS delay in signing the bill enabled Andrews
TO point out 10 the Ceiling Committee when It's Nom
bers arrived in town June 10 that there was great
need haste in making tho contracts for the work. OF
else the Assemblymen would have no room IN Whoh
to meet the following winter. Therefore the proydent
Andrews had ready for their acceptance various ous
for the big contract Tho members OF the committee
naturally thought that Andrews rushing the bus-
ness and therefore postponed opening the bids for
week, and directed him TO advertise for new ones
Hitherto he had not advertised the fact that tho
State was about 20 allOt large contract. week
passed and them the Ceiling Committee met gave ,ns
contract 10 the lowest bidder and departed rom Al
bany leaving IN the Capitol, daily surveying inc AS.
sembly Chamber work, Governor Hill, Democrs.
Frederick Cook, Secretary Of state, Democrat
Charles L. Tabor, Attorney General, Democrat Johh
Bogart, state Engineer, Democrat; IAwrenoo -
Fitzgerald, a Democrat, and Charles b. Andrews,
6uperfn tendent OF Public Buildings, Democrat II
no wonder that under these circumstances when te
Ceiling Committee came back I'm December IL fDunn
ceiling Of plaster OF Paris, instead OF quartcren
oak II had expected IL Is probably The last tne tbat
Republican legislature Will leave great public worA
solely In the charge OF Democratic officials Even to
inspector OF the work was Democrat, appolnied py
the Republican majority OF the Ceiling COumitieo ~
the request OF william =. shechan one OF tho Demo
cratic members Of that committee The mtfgvne
statement OF Governor iis connection With inc cell
Ing scandal Is considered bN some MONITORS OF INC
Legislature 10 supply tho main claw 70 that uana-
action but Others do not consider 10 sufficient TO e1
plain all the disccditable features OF the business
II IS said that the experts who have bcen eAahin.
tomorrow night 20 the Assembly. \ commission com.
posed OF two architects, an engineer ana chemlst
should DO able 30 draw up a report which VIII meet
with public acceptance. Moreover, me commission
Is composed OF Of such diverse talents that all
doubt regarding the too notorious ceiling should DC
cleared away. 10 Is hintod that the commits
reoons tructiOn OF The grand stairway leading 20
the Assembly Chamber. The Stairway work f0rmcl
part OF the general contract made by the state WHO
John snalth for the making Of repairs ~ the norm
1910 900, OF which $3.50 600 used In taking down
the stone ceiling Of the Assembly Chamber and putting
stairway Upon Tuesday fbe Committee on Appropria
lions OF the Assembly Will listen 60 the testimony OF
John Snath and OF Charles Is. Andrews, tho huperin
endent Of Public Buildings. who had charge OF mo
Rowe, the architect that papermach panels DO used
in the ceiling Of the Assembly Chamber.