New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-02-02
THE NEW" CAPITOL,

1t Is not surprising TO learn that Governor
Black Is interested in the preparation of bill
10 abolish the Capitol Commission, put one per-
son in charge of the work and finish it promptly
by contract No part of the Governors first
message was more sensible or better expressed
than that in which he paid well-deserved
tribute of dlsrespect TO a building which has
been in process of erection for thirty years, has
cost nearly S23,000.000, and is falling into decay
al one end while the other end awaits compile
ton. The Governor called this scandal. and
the word is not too strong There is general
belief that great deal of money has been virtu-
ally stolen In the course Of this huge labor and
there is not particle OF doubt that a stupendouS
sum has been wasted. The Capitol at Albany
Is about half the size Of the Capitol at Washing
ton and has cost nearly twice as much. 1t is
about twice the size Of the white marble Capitol
az Hartford. and has absorbed ten times the
amount which was required to finish that ad-
mirable building. Mr.. Black said truly that IF
"an individual or corporation had managed an
undertaking as this has been managed they
"would have been discredited long ago.; and
mere discredit would probably not have been
the only penalty inflicted. But because it is a
great and populOus State which. through its
negligent representatives. has carried on an I'M
posing transaction in preposterous manner no.
body is punished, and nobody hitherto has been
personally disgraced.
We heartily approved Of Governor Blacks Wig
orous treatment of this business In his message,
and are glad that he Is not disposed TO let it
drop. That the particular mode Of action which
he appears to favor Is entirely judicOus remains
TO be shown The plan as reported is TO get rid
Of the Capitol Commission, which has been in
existence less than two years, and which was
created with the expectation that for the cor
rection Of old abuses 1t would make large use
of the contract system. and TO put the Superin-
tendent of Public Works in charge Of the entire
lob II Is intmated also that Mr.. Perry, who
as Commissioner and architect has been in off,
cal control for fourteen years is 10 be retired
This certainly should not be done except upon
substantial proof that Mr.. Perry has failed 10
do his duty. The unsatisfactory condition Of
Affairs does not necessarily demonstrate his I'M
fitness for the place, inasmuch as he has been
continually subject to legislation, and compelled
10 get along as best he could with irregular and
capricious appropriations He is, however, IN
derstood to be opposed to the contract system,
which on the face Of 1t Is against him. AS for
Mr. Aldridge, do not need TO say that his
political operations have frequently in our Opn-
ion been offensive. but he does not lack sagacity
and executive ability, and there is good reason
10 believe that the work would not dawdle along
FOR another decade II he were in charge Of IT,
The main thing Is TO have this doleful under
taking put on q business basis as soon as pos
sble, and managed hereafter as a corporation
or individual would manage private enter