New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-04-22
PRICE THREE CENTS.
EASTON TO BE OVERHAULED
THE SENATE ORDERS AN INvEsTIGA-
TION AT LAST.
A COMMITTEE TO De NAMED BY MR. WOODRUFF
wHITEwAsH THE SUPERINTENDENT.

dertaken an investigation OF the conduct Of
Frederick c. Easton as Superintendent Of Public
Buildings In Albany More than six weeks ago
Senator Pavey. Of Ncw-York endeavored to
have such an investigation made. but the
Firance Committee pleading pressure OF other
business did not find time until within a week
to consider the resolution which Mr.. Pavey had
submitted. and look over Mr. Eastcn's Iedgers
containing an account of his expenditures.
The members of the Finance Committee were
busy men. for they have charge Of the s2OOOO.-
O0O OF appropriation bills before the Legislature.
In addition, Mr. Higgins. one Of It's ablest mem
bers, was at work the Raines liquor BILL
Yet the delay was unfortunate for the State, IN
that it postponed action by the present Legis-
lature on Easton's case The committee Of in
vestigation authorized to-day is not TO make its
report until the next Legislature meets. Mr.
Easton therefore may remain in Office until
January next and possibly beyond that time. II
his friends resort to di!atory tactics an ad-
verse report, IL one should be made.
The investigating committee Of five will prob
ably consist of three Republicans and two Demo-
Gratis Lieutenart-Governor Woodruff is to ap-
point the committee. He has had no more inn
portant duty to perform since he was elected
1t was the desire Of the Senate Finance COM
mittee that the Trustees of Public Buildings
-Do!eIHor BIdcK, Leutenant-Covernor WOOD
ruff and Speaker OGrady-who reappointed
Easton. should make the Investigation; but Mr..
Black protested against being both jury and
Judge in the case. Mr.. Easton Is at the mercy
Of Messrs Black. Woodruff and O'Grady who
can remove him at any time
Mr. Black doubtless is glad now that he took
the advice of Mr.. Woodruff in January soon
after they became Trustees OF Public Buildings
and therefore responsible for Easton's adminis-
tiation. Mr.. Woodruff astorished to find
such large payroll. and going to the Governor.
he said: "Mr. Black, 1t is perfectly obvious that
there one hundred men on Easton's
payroll who not needed. Some Democratic
newspaper will discover the fact some day, and
make perfectly legitimate criticism Of the fact.
/ think we had better foresta any criticism by
having these men discharged at once" Mr..
Black took the Lieutenant Gov arnor's view, and
there immediate decrease in the number
Of employees in the Department OF Public Build
ings 1870 men being dismissed about six weeks
ago.
Senator Mullin az chairman OF the Finance
Committee brought on q brief debate this
subject to-day by presenting the following reso-
luton
Whereas Grave charges are publicly made Re.
fecting upon the competency and honesty OF tne
Superintendent OF Public Buildings In the PERFORM
Resolved That the President of the Senate be
point a special committee OF five members OF ths
Senate. WHO shall conduct an Investigation into
said aH % Office " Said COMMITTEES shall have power to
a m and u of said
subjects; TO subpoena and examine witnesses; 70
sna for a mse s % cy Of Albany
shall report to the Senate at its next session inc
The President Of the Senate is further directed to
designate Of the general committee GerHs sc,a 9
thn 10 NVh
committee, and the Sergeant -at-Arms OF the Sen.
mittee and shall serve It's summons and subpoenas
This resolution is a precise copy OF that pre-
sented by Senator Pavey six weeks ago. Win
the exception that it provides that the report OF
the committee shall be made at the next session.
instead Of before the close OF this session.
Only brief debate followed its introduction
Mr.. Cantor suggested that Governor Black ought
to make the investigation. Mr.. Ellsworth re.
piled that the Governor was n trustee OF
Public Buildings 1t would he manifestly In:
proper for him 70 do so. The Senate then passed
the resolution by a unanimous vote
SOME COMMENTS AT THE CAPITOL.
1t is the general impression around the Capl-
tol to night that the adoption OF the resolution
to investigate Eastons department and other
things connected Herewith indicate a white
wash" The fact that the Lieutenant-Governor
is authorized to appoint the committee Is ac-
cepted as a basis for the reports that everything
will be favorable to Easton. The further facts
that no counsel is authorized to be employed
and that the committee is not to report until the
next session of the Legislature are regarded as
significant and lend color of truth TO a report
that no action will be taken by this committee
until after next falls election, for fear that the
astounding revelations which may follow the
investigation might so affect the people great
" to injure the party at the coming election
The Barnes machine men are pinning their
faith on Mr. Woodruff, and believe that the In
vestigating committee is already within their
grasp There are others about the Capitol who
do not believe that the Barnes crowd have got
the Lieutenant Governor pat as they think.
Mr. Woodruff has more than one occasion
demonstrated that he possessed sufficient back.
bone to prevent his being used as a tool. ano
some of those who are depending upon his help
in whitewashing this Capitol JOB may strike
snag of decided proportions. MT NoodruH mas
ambition. and he cannot aiiord 10 asslst III CIV
ering up the depredations OF the malodorous
gang which has been preyinS upon the state
through Easton's department m rss.r,eo today
Senator Ellsworth made the statement that IN
asmuch as the trustees appointed the Superln-
tendent OF Public Buildings the Finance Com
n,ittee thought IL best not 10 have the trustees
conduct the investigation. This Is rather
singular statement when II Is considered that
the Lieutenant Governor is one OF the Capitol
trustees; yet under the resolution, although not
charged with making the investigation he 10
clothed with power to appoint the committee.
To-richts albany Evening Journal" the
Platt organ at the capital prints IN editorial
bearing upon the Easton investigation. IN which
II says:
This 10 the course advised by The journal six
weeks ago when the large amounts OF money ap.
propriated by the Legislature for this department
came into public notice. IL was the duty OF the
senate Immediately to have ordered such an inyes'
| tgot,or and not 10 have subjected the Superin-
tendent to the ridiculous and false charges which
have he,n made The Legislature has authorized
iaarga eynendltures in the Department OF Public
RuildIngs as IL has in the construction depart tmen'
% ~ q niroi Now that IL has ordered an inves.
tration Il remains for It to determine whether the
SSneriniendent mas 81 IT money appropriated hon.
es,Iv or moi The responsibility as TO whether the
/ N't.y VI hav leen appropriated upon