New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-06-06
HONOR IN OFFICE.

The Canal Investigating Commission paid a
marked compliment to Controller Roberts on
Friday, and incidentally brought to the surface
a transaction highly honorable TO him and an
excellent example to all public servants. An
engineer speaking Of the work on one section
Of the canal, testified that 1t was being done
by sub-contractor. the Degraf Roberts
Company concern having quarries at Me-
dina. Inquiry TO the persons in this COM
pauy developed the statement that ii took part
of its name from Controller Roberts.
Here was chance for suspicion. The Con
troller of the State Is a partner in canal con
tracting Did the Commission prick up It's ears
at the notion? Not in the least The character
Of James A. Roberts made suspicion impos-
sible even without explanation. and the Com
missioners hastened to remark that man o.
Mr. Robcrts's large business interests could
hardly help being n stakeholder In some con-
Germ more or less connected with State work.
It was perfectly satisfactory 10 them 10 know
that Mr.. Roberts was simply stakeholder
and had no part in the direction OF the com
pany That view was a tribute TO Mr.. Rob-
erts which, in these days. when every probe
seems TO bring to light new evidence OF queer
dOings on the canal. ia not insignificant. But
Mr. Roberts himself was to have word to
say on the subject. The report that he was
even remotely connected with a canal contract
was not many hours old when he made public
this statement, showing not only his absolute
freedom from all interest. even the most harm
less. in any payments from the State Treas
ury but also his fine sense Of honor:
The firm is a stock corporation l was one OF
its directors and subsequently Its president.
When the manager told me that he had secured
q canal contract l Immediately set out 10 sell
my stock In the company. and after three weeks
time did so at q considerable sacrifice | had
severed connections with the company before It
had started on it's canal work
1t is worth while to notice case Ike this
when 1t occurs We all know that II IS not
the universal rule. We see politicians and the
sODs Of politicians getting into companies whose
business can be helped by politics instead Of
getting ont and we are likely to become unduy
cynical as we contemplate their doings But
they are not the only men who hold office, and
we need to regard these others both for pat
tern and to give us hope. Human nature Is
prone TO dwell on the evil that men do and
forget the good. This comes partly from a
love Of scandal, partly from Il tendency to re-
gard the good as the normal and accept II as
a matter Of course which does not call for
praise. while all strength Is needed TO rebuke
the evil. A few weeks ago some slanderer-as
silly as vicious. since he charged 10 corrupt in
terest in corporation an unwlllingness to give
it extravagant favOrs-grew blatant over the
Improperly Of Mr.. Alexander +. Orr's alleged
ownership Of Manhattan Elevated securities
while acting as Rapid Transit Commissioner.
He meant TO hurt Mr.. Orr but did him n favor
instead; for he brought 10 public attention the
fact that Mr.. Orr's exquisite sense OF propriety
led him TO dispose Of all interest In Manhattan
the instant official relations with that company
became prospective. Not even as trustee for
others would he hold Its securities Doubtless