New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-11-25
JUDGE COrNTRYMAN'S TASK.
HIS REPORT ON THE CANAL TEST
NONY EXPECTED SOON.
WHY urp IN GET COPY or ALpRIDGF's
BOND ALDRIDGE NOT To RE REAP

WIN DiN M GET 'pf1 'f Nh''N'''''
RoNn'-ALDRIpGE NOT To RE REAP-
POINTED nv ROOSEVELT.
Alhan,. Nov - (Specian.- Republican leaders
all over the State watching with interest
Governor Blacks treatment NJ the report OF tn"
Canal Commission on tho evidence taken ny
them regarding the execution Of the contracts
under the S9n.0W0 Improvement scheme. That
report was submitted 10 the Governor on August
l. and thcreupon in letter he called the atten-
tion ~ Attorney General Hancock to it and also
appointed cx-Judge Edwin C0untryman special
counsel to examine critically the evidence taken
by the Commission. The general Interpretation
put upon Judge Countrymans duties has been
that he is to learn If the peoples money mas
been wronefully expended. and whether any
criminal prosecutions should follow.
Judge Countryman has had many weeks TOT
the examination Of the evidence. and II Is eN-
pected that he will shortly make his conclusions
public shortly before the Republican state No"-
vention was held when it was considered that
Judge Countrvman's report might have some
political effect. Governor Black was asked apou,
the possibility Of it's publication before the con-
vention was held.
1T will 10 printed" he said. Just az soon as
I receive it. even though il should ne Oh '"e CIV
Of the convention"
But the day of the convention arrNeo anu Nv
report rom Judge Countryman was printed: and
now II is nearly two months later and still the
| report has not been made public
COUNTEYMAN AID BLACK
There are some indications. however that
Judge Countryman is beginning 10 frame MS re-
port. and may possibly have advised Governor
Black of some Of his conclusions. He has re-
Gently had several confidential talks with the
| Governor in the inner room of the Executive
Chamber and Attorney-General Hancock mas
been looking over his copy OF the evidence TAKEN
by the Canal Commission. II Is strongly suS-
pected. also. that Governor Blacks recent ha"l'
Of secludnc himself IN his private room has for
It's explanation the fact that he also Is exam
ming carefully the evidence taken by the Canal
| Commission. II may be stated on authority tha'
the Governor ever since he commissioned Judge
Countryman To undertake this work, has IN
tended to 60 over the Judges report with MN
before making it public.
Renewed interest was taken in Judge Country
mans proceedings by politicians to-day, upon
their learning that he had obtained copy Oh
the hond given by George W. AldridSe as SUI
pcrintendent Of Public Works. This Is bond
for 10000 protect the State. The state
Treasurer in accordance with State law. ad-
vanccs 70 the superintendent OF Public Works
the sum Of 10000 for certain expenditures OF
his department. This $4,000 is subject to the
Individual check of the superintendent OF PUB
lie Works. and therefore he is required to give
bond for S5O,O0O to protect the state MT
Aldridge's onlsmen are Frederick Cook, of
Rochester. eX-Secretary Of State, prominent
Democrat and capitalist Of Western New-York
and Congressman Henry c. Brewster, of
Rochester Both Mr.. Cook and Mr.. Brewster
| fad tba Of thus
state is amply protected. Mr.. Aldrdge's friends
say that cx-Judge Countryman applied for a
copy Of the bond merely TO incorporate it in his
report. as indicating how completely the States
financial interests guarded.
ALDRIDGEs NEW AMBITION.
one state official said to-day he had heard
thai Governor Black would appoint new SUI
perintendent Of Public Works before retiring
from office Possibly Mr.. Adridge may think
Of resisning his Office It has been said lately
that he il 4 candidate for Collector of Internal
! Revenue in the Western NeW-York District.
Ex- Asscmbyman Archie D. Sanders. Of Batavia
is a candidate for the same place. On the other
hand friends Of Nh Aldridge are seeking 10
have him retained by Governor-elect Roosevelt
as Superintendent Of Public Works Recently a
high official Of the Department Of Public Works
has been circulating petition among prominent
Republicans. addressed to Colonel Roosevelt,
asking him to reappoint Mr. Aldridse. support
or Of Mr Aldridge describing his strenuous
efforts i'm Monroe County to keep the vote for
Colonel Roosevelt AZ high point.
There Is nothing more cruel than these re-
ports that Mr.. Aldridge permitted Mr.. Roosevelt
10 run behind in Monroe County" said Forestry
| Commissioner Babcock few days ago. and
can testify that he did his utmost for Colonel
Roosevelt ard every other man on the Repub-
/ lican ticket
Henry II. Lyman. tine State Excise Commits
sioner. commenting upon the vote OF Monroe
County. said lately:
Il have no doubt that Mr.. Aldri1ge thor
ouGhly loyal 10 the Republican State ticket hut
/ n unfortunately happened that he had so stfiy
opposed Colonel Rooseyelts nomination that
when the latter nominated he could rot
/ hold all his followers in Monroe County in line
! for him
II t. positively known here that Governor
! elect Roosevelt IS looking about for new CHIEF
80 the Department If Public Works. and does
| NOT intend 10 reappoinr Mr. Aldridge The
| prefer If the post Of Superintendent of Public
| p Odell ir chairman Of the Republican State
| i il believed that Speaker O'tirady recently
visited Colonel Roosevelt in Mr. Aldrdges in
| terest 10 learn II he could he reapponted. n
| Mir. OGrady did in private touch upon that sub
| iect he undoubtedly learned Colonel Roosevelt