New-York tribune., 1891-04-25
HILL CRYING "STOP THIEF"
HE FRAMES A BILL FOR A NONPARTIsAN
COMMISSION TO INVESTIGATE THE
CANAL MANAGEMENT.

CANAL MANAGEMENT.
THE COMMISSIONERS TO BE APPOINTED BY
HIMsELF-THE MEASURE INTRODUCED IN
BOTH HoUsEs-IT WILL NOT BE Ac-
cErTED BY THE REPUBLICAN SEN
AToRs-sHEEHANs ATTEMPT
TO ADVANCE 1T IN
THE HOUSE.
YHox THE REGULAR CORRESPONDENT OF THE rRIsusF-
Albany April o4-Mr. David d. Hill has. IL would
appear, in q leisurely moment lately reau ollVer
Twist and adminngy observed the dlpIOhauo con-
duct under distressing Circumstances OF Johh Da"hs
otherwise known Tho Artful Dodger' Mr.
Dawlns it will be remembered had the presence oil
mind when there danger Of his arrest by the ponce
for stealing an old gentlemans handkerchief 10 uVere
the dangerous attention of the officers from hmsen oy
Justify calling out Stop thief" and pursuing tne III
nocent Oliver.
Mr. Hill today attempted TO divert public attention
from the resolution pushed by the Republican senator's
instructlng the Canal Committee to investigate Sls
Canal Department, by having bill introduced In
both houses OF the Legislature for the appointment vi
a commission to do this work-and commission ap-
pointed by himself That is. he is not In favor 0f the
Legislature learning whether or not the money OF the
taxpayers has been honestly expended BY the onciaS
of the Canal Department but he would nave thiS III
quiry abandoned by the Legislature ana cohhued 10
men named by himself Edward Hannah was ap-
pointed superintendent Of Public worhs-that is, to
have charge of the States canas-by David b. Hil, on
December 16, 1850. Mr. Hannan's administration Of
the canals Is therefore Mr.. HIPS admin
istraton. The Governors proposition. then, that
he shall appoint the jury to try Hannah Is SO
impudent as to be amusing; at least, it Is so In
the opinion OF the Republican Senator's who have been
insisting for more than week upon the right OF the
Legislature to investigate the Canal Department 1t
does not matter That the bill declares that the senate
shall confirm the men nominated for members oil TINS
commission no Republican would believe that com
mission named by David B. Iill would make thorough
and honest investigation into the affairs OF the Oal
Department. 1t would be commission which mishe
take volumes of evidence, but would always run away
from any line of testimony which might ulScio9e
scandaous management Of the Department.
Mr. Hill also seems to be afraid that even SUCH
commission might have evidence forced upon II "nch
would harm his political prospects. lie caretuV
limits the time granted to the commission "ltHh
which to do It's work. The act presented says Cnat
the commission shall take no evidence from Aueuse
1 10 November 15-that is. for three ana nan
months: and the commission must make reporV "
e Legislature upon the result Of its investigator on
or before March l, 1892. Such proposition VIII not
be accented by the Republican Senators. They stand
nv their resolution authorizing the Canal committee
To investigate the canal management, and VIII hot
delegate that power any body outside OF the Legs
lature.
Jones, 1t appears during the night
abandoned his thought Of declaring that the canal
Investigation resolution was set aside by the nroduc-
tior Of a petition by himself yesterday. lie tlere-
fore clared when the Senate met that the pehuhS
ouestlonD was the canal-investigation resout1
Mfr Lfnson thereupon presented Governor ilPs
hill as substitute for the Investigation reI uoh'
The hill is entitled An act 10 create non'N ASah
cGmmlssIon 70 investigate canal affairs" an, is as
follows: ..
Section / It shall be the duty OF the Governor, mme
d,v ar the massage OF this act by and with the ADVICE
OF the Senate appoint five citizens Of this s@e as
nroission 70 investigate affairs and management OF e
canals OF this state during the past eleven years Two
- y, so,d COMM sson shall be selected from the po
cl arty which east largest number oil votes az e
last Gubernatoal election and two other members eeo
shall be selected from the political party "eh e'se V0
noxt hlehe number OF at such election ana the
nth member thereof shall an Independent cuz Vi one
not belonging TO either political party; and al the men,
hers Of such commission shall be reputable buShs IS men,
holding no political office said commission sia1 i"''
49, 70 snbnoena witnesses and TO compel their at
,ondonca IN REQUIRE the production before them Oh any
rapers in the custody possession Of any WITNESS or ~
anv state Department touching the subject OF uch hVes
tipaton and to examine such witnesses ana such pul
records OF the State IL shall require iof Ie Puo9
inyp ANY ueee HchoclS vi '"-'' N''''
o shall constitute quorum for the TRANSACTION u ouS
,oss and any member thereof shall have power 70 au
minister oaths to witnesses. The SAID commission 9n"
have authority to employ stehof1pher ana counsel anu
~ rococd with such Investigation Immediately ana con-
tinue the same until August next when 1t snail ue ulS
continued until November 10 next, when 1t may te re-
newed and may be continued as long as IT sha De heces
-. o,,ont that the commlsso shall make report to
the next Legislature or before March heAt' "hch
rnort shall contain such conclusions, suggestions anu
as the commission shall desire TO present
and there shall be annexed the testimony taken by
commission ,,. 49,
Coo . Tho members OF such commission shall not re-
ccivc any salary or compensation for their services
ht tbev shall be entitled to their reasonable travelling
fees and other incidental expenses to be audited oy o
controllers the Of $4,000 or so mueh heeoi us
may BE- necessary is hereby appropriated out ol any s
in the treasury otherwise appropriated for the pur
s NJ defrving the expenses and disbursements OF such
commission payable by the Treasurer to said commission OIL
the warrant Of the Controller
Sec g. This act shall take effect Immediately
Mr.. Erwin, for the Republicans, Immediately made
the point of order that bill could not be substituted
for a resolution. 49,
Mr.. Ljnson then moved that the Canal Committee DO
instructed 70 bring In the bill substitute for the
resolution.
Mr. Fassett made the point Of order that no such
Modification of resolution could be made under the
Senate rules lie then said that it was evident that
Senator LinsOns proposition would excite long de-
bate, and suggested tilal tle 0chtUo a. 49,
until Monday and then debate it, The Democrats ac-
cepted this proffer and accordingly, after session Of
only ten Minutes the senate adjourned until Monday
The bill will not be accepted by the Republican
Senators. Senator SaxtOn well expressed the views
Of IT held by his fellow Republican Senators when he
said: % Governor Hln, by introducing this BILL con
cedcs the Republican contention namely that there
ought be investigation of the Canal department
mt be woud destroy the worth of such an investigation
nv himself Amounting the investigators We Will not
betray the people of this state in that manner The
Legislature is competent to make the investigation
itself and should not delegate its powers to private
citizens In such natter
Speaker Sheehan and Mr.. MoClelland made childish
attempt today in tho Assembly, to divert the at
tenton of the public from the real issue at stake
in tho Senate resolution asking for an investigation
~ the canals by a senate committee. The attempt
was no broader than the men themselves: and. al
.l,.rh thnr nttcmnted force and violated rules II