New-York tribune., 1895-02-11
MR.. ROBERTS TO RETIRE.
HE WILL NOT ACCEPT A RECONCILIATION
AS CONTROLLER.
HIS VARIED BUSINESS INTERESTS DEMAND hi'
ArrrNr1oN-rHIs DECISION MAY OCCASION
A CONSIDERABLE CHANGE IN THE
MAKEUP OF THE NEXT RE-
PUBLICAN STATE TICKET.

Try TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE.I
Albany Feb I0-The important announcement
was made tonight that James A. Rooerts, oi
Buffalo. the State Controller had determined 10
decline n denomination NJ Roberts's term Will
end In December Of this year. but there 10 no
question that II willing he would be re"o,i'-
mated by the Republican State Convention ""'o''
will probably be held Ia September, lor his a."
ministraton Of the office of Controller has been
highly credtable to him and an hohor 'o 'n
Republican party n the face Of the great DUST
ness depression. by his energy in bringing INTO
tho prasn Of the State Tax Collector seVerai
Thousand corporations which had never before
na;d taxes Mfr Roberts succeeded in keeping the
yece,nts from the corporation tax law AT nearly
tho,r level In more prosperous years. In this
manner he gave great aii to the taxpayer III Il
year when he needed II badly. III certain TAX
alton bill drawn up by Mr. Roberts ana now on
its way through the Legislature becomes Ia"'
the States revenues will be Increased lu'i! S'Vo'
000 Mr. Roberts also has strictly observed anu
enforced the Civil Service laws In his department.
and thus has earned the praise OF all 'hose VINO
believe in a permanent civil service OF hish
class His intention to retire from the once Oh
Controller therefore. Will be heard OF with great
regret.
Mr. Roberts's resolve to decline renomina-
ton. If 1t should be rendered to him. Is parry
due to the fact that his health is not gooo ana
partly to the fact that he desires to give all
his attention to his many business enterprises
When the election returns of November 1898,
showed Mr.. Roberts that he was elected, ne "ds
both surprised and dismayed, for the uneNpecteu
result compelled him to make radical changes IA
all his business plans. he faced the issue . i,Ie
fully however, resigned his place IN aoout
th,rty-fve corporations, arranged his analrs 50
most faithful officer. 1t has Deen tne nav,. u t W
State Controllers for many years prac'icaiy ~
leave the management of their offices 10 their
deputies. Mr. Roberts. od the other manu-; Manu-, "Ss Ss
made his home in Albany, and daly couiu ~, Us
found at the Controller office attending 10 h'S
work. < .ho pen,h
lican nomination for Governor in 1884 up 10
week before the State Convention. linen an
fitness from which had been suHerlne oe
veloped symptoms of So grave nature .,.". "a "a,
his request his friends withdrew his name, anu
II was not presented to the convention iney
hope TO make a canvass Tor him for the hepup-
Ucan nomination for Governor under more faVor-
abe conditions in some other year. ..
When Thomas c. Platt was here a fortnlght
ago he made 1t a point TO call upon Controier
Rnherts and to congratulate him upon his
restoration to health. In the course OF cohVei
sation Mr. Platt said that he was giad Imal 'he
Republican party would have so exceheht a
candidate for Controller in Mr.. Roberts next fali:
The latter at once replied: But, Mr. Platt l
am not a candidate, ana snail uec'i"e 'ie A
af am sincerely sorry TO hear that said Mr..
Platt, land hope you will reconsider your ue-
termination. 49, ~ , ~ ,,
. "No " was the answer II have made up my
mind that there are about 100000 men In New
Yor,; state lust as fit to be Controller as am
and am going to give them chance TO take
tho office Perhaps after that 100000 nave served
four wears each as Controller shall be Wiling
IA accent a nomination again. but not oelore.
The retirement of Controller ROBERTS may cause
a breakup in the Republican state ticket lor
this wear Ordinarily every MEMBER OF poalu
Of state officers receives the honor of renomina-
ltlon but Mr. Roberts having retired. the lact pc
comes more apparent that at least one hgh'
weight" was nominated with him upon the ne
nuhlican State ticket IN 1893. The oflces 10 pe
Hlled are those Of Secretary OF state, Attorney
General Controller, State Engineer ana surveyor
and State Treasurer. The retirement OF MI:
Roberts may lead to an entire reconstruction 81 Di
tho tickle, The Attorney General Iheodore T..
Uancock is believed to aspire TO seat upon the
Court az Appeals bench. The term OF ONCE OF
Francis NJ Finch. Republican, elected In isol'
will expire with the present year II Is possipie'
however that Judge Finch may seek rehoih'-
nation. ... At. ,.,r
The state officers to be nominated tnls year
vl hold office for three years, and therefore ,he
RenubIican party is bound to take especlai pains
With its nominations. Men OF excellent cnarac-
Ter and well-known ability must be selected 10
haad the state ticket. Round up with their Iate
viii no that of the Republican candidates IN nily
senate districts as the Legislature OF larger size
viii then first be selected. The canvass. tnere-
fore promises to be an exceptionally Interesting
one.