New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-04-25
THE GOVERNOR MUST DO 1T.
SENATE DECLINES TO INVESTIGATE
EASTON.
IT TURNS THE TASK OVER TO THE TRUSTEES OF
PUBLIC BUILDINGS. OF WHOM THE GOV


IT TURNS THE TASK OVER TO THE TRUSTEES OF
PUBLIC BUILDINGS. or WHOM THE GOV
ERNoR is THE HEAD.
Albany April "a (SpeciaD.-The Senate to-day
shirked the duty OF investigating the ADMINS
iration OF Frederick T. Easton as superintendent
Of Public Buildings. and threw 1t upon the Irus-
tees Of Public Buildings, Governor Black Lieu
tenant Governor Woodruff and James NJ T.
OGrady Speaker of the assembly. Possibly
the trustees are responsible for Easton Tor they
appointed him and retained him in his post, yet
there is some basis for a protest Governor Black
made this afternoon about the matter.
Senator Hobart Krum, one Of the members OF
the committee appointed two days ago to inves-
tigate Easton, was appointed member of the
committee TO inform Governor Black that the
Senate had finished its business and was ready
to adjourn. Mr. Black began TO talk at once to
Senator Krum about the resolution just passed
in the Senate declaring it TO be the duty of the
Governor and his felow-trustees to make the
investigation.
81 think the course Of the Senate very singu-
lar" said Mr.. Black. Indignantly. for it stirred
up this Easton matter. first by asking him how
many men were his payroll and then by APP
pointing a special committee to examine his
books: and then. after having set in motion all
the machinery for an investigation. IT suddenly
showed the white feather and is endeavoring to
put on my shoulders the responsibility for an In
curry
To another Senator the Governor said: Your
Finance Committee investigated the accounts of
the Department OF Public Buildings, and no
sooner thought it had discovered something than
IT ran like Hades in the other direction"
1t was over six weeks ago when Senator Pavey
introduced his resolution calling for investi-
CATION of Mr. Eastons conduct It took a great
deal Of prodding by Mr. rayey to induce the
Senate to act. but finally subcommittee OF the
Finance Committee did get to work on Easton's
books Then followed the adoption only two
days ago of the following resolution:
Whereas, Grave charges arc publicly made re-
fleeing upon the competency and honesty OF the
Superintendent of Public Buildings In tho perform
Resolved That the President Of the Senate be
and no hereby Is authorized and directed to appoint
a special committee of five members OF tho Senate,
who shall conduct investigation into the truth
OF such charges and the management OF said ONCE
uuirics In every direction NECESSARY TO arrive at
full and accurate knowledge of said subjects; 10
subpoena and examine witnesses; to send for
shall meet in the city Of Albany and shall report 10
the Senate at It's next session the result OF Its IN
vestigation and its recommendations.
The President of the Senate is further directed 10
the Senate. who shall act as clerk Of said special
committee. and the sorgeant-at-Arms of the Sen
ate shall messenger TO said special commit
tee and shall serve its summons and subpoenas.
Under this resolution Lieutenant-Gove
Woodruff appointed members Of the Com
mittee of Investigation Senators Hobart Krum,
Frank W. Higgins, Horace White, l.. c. Stew
art and Theodore KOehler. No sooner was the
committee appointed, however, than Senators
Krum and Higgins declined the appointment.
and other Senators showed dissemination to
serve. The matter was in this condition yeSter-
day. when the Republican Senators held a con-
ference about IL.
1--WE heard instances at this conference" said
a Republican Senator to-day. of the amazing
prices paid for articles by the Department OF
Public Buildings but we decided that we were
not called upon to conduct an investigation
into the affairs OF the Department. as the Trus-
tees of Public Buildings were in charge Of It, |
know that Governor Black thinks we have IL
used him in transferring the investigation to
him. but a good many of us think that he has
asked us to do a great many unpleasant things
for him while the session of the Legislature was
in progress and that therefore, he ought to DO
this unpleasant work for Besides, Easton
is his appointee he is responsive f0r Eas'oh
and ought to make the investigation.
This Senator also said: Il presume the scheHie
Is TO defer making any real investigation OK
FagtOn until after the fall election, rearing thal
the result OF an inquiry into the aialrS OF tle
Department OF Pubic Buildings Woulu De P'ii''-
caly damaging. .,
The Senators placed the burden OF an investi-
cation on the Governors shoulders by having
Senator Krum present the following lepoi''
which was adopted unanimously.
The undersigned. the committee appointed by u me
Senate pursuant a resolution thereof adopted on
Gnrr u 1897 10 investigate the charges referred TO
i'm said resolution rejecting upon the adminlstta-
lion Of the Superintendent OF Public Buildings IN
the performance OF his official duties Deg eaVo 10
report follows: .-...... -, .t,s
d'Sat we find that under the statutes or TINS
state the Trustees Of Public Buildings consisting
of the Governor, the Lieutenant Governor anu ue
Snnaker of the Assembly have the sole ana ample
power of appointment and removal OF the sa,ld
unerintcndent, and incident thereto ana neces-
saTily connected herewith have fun power ana au-
tho ritv 10 review and judge his official acts go
That in the interest OF econo my ana the pubic
service and in Difference 10 the authority vested IN
said trustees we respectfully recommend that me
subject he remanded 10 them and your committee
discharged from further consideration thereof
FRANK W. HIGGINS,
HORACE WHITE.
- ART