New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-01-18
PRICE THREE CENTS.
BLACK PREPARING A BILL.
HE PROPOSES TO NAME THE CANAL
INVESTIGATORS.

THE FACT MADE KNOWN BY 9. FREDERICK NIXON
LAST NIGHT. AFTER AssEMBLYMAN wEExEs
HAD PROPOSED THE APPOINTMENT OF
LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE.
[BY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE.l
Albany Jan. lit became known tonight
that Governor Black is preparing a bill for the
investigation of the work done on the canals
under the 100000 appropriation. and Of the
alleged need for 81 100000 more to complete the
project Assembyman John A. Weekes, tr.
introduced a resolution for an investigation by
an Assembly committee. and after the adjourn
ment s. Frederick Nixon the Republican leader.
had a chat with him about IT,
II am sure. Mr. Weekes" said Mr. Nixon.
"you will be satisfied with the Canal Commis-
sion bill which Governor Black at work on
to-day and with the character OF the members
OF the Canal Commission which he will ap-
point"
Mr. Black takes very dangerous step. from
a political point OF view" responded Mr..
Weekes. in appointing this Canal Commission.
and hone he will abandon such plan. II he
has formed it. I going to do all in my
power to protect the Republican party from
making such an error. The party cannot afford
to name its own jury on these canal matters"
THE Canal Commission Is not to be Of
political character" answered Mr.. Nixon. ex-
ctedly: ut will he composed Of non-partisans."
"Will it have rs its members solely the repre-
sertatives Of commercial bodies?" inquired Mr..
Weekes.
1T Will not" answered Mr.. Nixon. Il come
from non-canal county and | am assured that
there will be representatives, of the non-canA
counties on the commission"
Nevertheless" replied Mr.. Weekes. II am
firmly of the belief that Governor Black should
not name this commission in view OF his having
appointed Mr.. Aldrldge. one of the State off,
GERS whose conduct will be under review. and
hope the Republican majority in the LEGISLATURE
will take my view Of what ought to be DONE"
BLACK EMBARRASSED BY ALDRIDGE.
Assemblymen Weelses and Laimbeer had
talk with Governor Black to-day concerning
the canal question. Il told Mr. Black" said
Mr.. Weekes afterward, that he personally
could rot afford TO appoint the members OK a
canal investigation commission. as he had ap-
pointed George W. Aldrdse, Superintendent
OF Public Works, who has had charge Of the
canal work. and therefore in a large meas
ure responsible for Aldridse's acts. II
he appointed the ju.y to try Aldridge it would
be said once by his political opponents that
he had named jury which would also clear
himself Of the responsibility for the appoint
ment
Mr. Black replied that he felt deeply the en-
barrassment Of his position in this respect. and
was carefully considering what he ought TO
do, in view Of the fact that Adridge was his APP
| pointee / also said 10 the Governor that | In
tended TO introduce resolution In the Assem-
! bly, tonight providing for an investigation OF
| the expenditures already made on the canals
Under the supposition that the canal enlarge
| ment would cost only S9pDVn'
THE wEEKEs RESOLUTION.
Mr. weekes, soon after the Assembly met to-
night. offered his resolution. which follows:
Whereas. BY a vote Of the people Of this, State
~ OF the Laws of 1885, an issue Of Sv01o OF state
bonds was andorzed 6hg n anS
! Oswego canals and In enlargins ana improving the
W,ereas. 1t was provided by Chapter 7si OF the
Laws Of 1895 that any surplus arising from me SAFE
work OF the improvement Of the said canals should
be applied to the sinking fund for the payment OF
Whereas 1t is now reported by the Commits:
si99c,s OF the Canal Board that the pn2,Segds OK
an additional issue of 100000 Of bonds will be
Whereas A strong public sentiment demands a., an
the purpose Of asccrtaning the adysability OF
voting further appropriations or Of disseminating
said work on the canals be IT therefore
Resolved, That the Speaker Of the Assembly be,
and he Is hereby. authorized 10 appoint ive mem
mlttee OF the Assembly one Of whom shah be
| a president pro tempore. with power and authority
ter and that said committee have power ana au-
thority TO prosecute its inquiries IN any lurther
direction in its judgment necessary and proper 10
enable It to obtain and report the intorinauon re-
quired by this resolution: that said committee re-
bort TO the Assembly such recommendations as in
It's Judgment the public interests regure ana d saidd
committee is given authority ana power 10 Sehu
for persons and papers and employ stenograP Pners
and such counsel and other assistance as II deems ms
necessary and to hold sessions IN sGeh cSS III rec
deems advisable.
REFERRED TO THE COMMITTEE.
As soon as the clerk had finished reading the
canal resolution Mr. Nixon. leader Of the ma
tority. moved it's reference to the Ways and
Means Committee. Mr.. Weekes called the at-
tention of the Speaker TO Rule 81. under which
he said the resolution must lay over for day.
Mr.. Nixon replied that under Rule 81, requiring
all resolutions appropriatng money ~, ai.s
purpose be sent 10 the ways ana MEANS
Committee. this resolution should be so reierrsu
The Speake after some delay, ruled Mr.
Weekes's point not well taken .,.,... uo,.
Mr. Donnelly. the leader OF the minority salo
no desired 10 debate the reference or the reso-
lution. Mr. Nixon replied that 1t was not de-
hatahle to which Mr.. Donnelly retorted;
IT know this canal business is not pleasant
for the Republican majority to near ana ! uph
blame the leader for not wanting II DEBATED
Won't insist on debating the question: i Simply
want 70 state that the Democrats viii DO all IN
their power to assist in an nvestigation anu
70 see that a real investigation is made
"The Republicans are just as anxious LOT az
Investigation" exclaimed Mr. Nixon.
The resolution was ther referred TO the COM
mittee on Ways and Means
HOW MR.. COLVIN LOOKS At 1T.
IF EXPERTS SAY MORE MONEY is NEEDED FOR
THE CANALS. WHY. ALL RIGHT. SAYS HE.
state Treasurer Colvln is at the Fifth Avenue