New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-01-21
THE GOvERy0R'S INVESTIGATION.

The most conspicuous feature of the canal
Investigation bill which has been agreed 10 by
the majority leaders at Albany is its bestowal
upon Governor Black of undivided control over
the whole business The bill is his bill, and
The Commission will be his Commission Doubt
less he will take advice as 10 its composition,
but he is absolutely unrestricted in his choice,
and his appOntees will not have 10 be con
frmed by the Senate Still more striking is the
fact that the Governor Is to have personal pos
session of the results Of the investigation during
q period of SIX months. The Commission Is 10
report its findings 10 him not later under
any circumstances, than July l. and the re-
port is to be submitted by him 10 the Legs
lature at the opening OF the session in the FOL
lowing January. In short from the hrst step
in the undertaking until after the election the
Governors influence will be pervasve aud his
authority as complete possible. This wide
departure from the procedure customary IN
such cases means that the Governor prefers, for
reasons satisfactory TO himself. TO have full
charge Of an investigation which Will Involve
the wisdom and fidelity OF the man whose reap
pointTnent 10 the office Of Superintendent OF
Public Works has been generally recognized as
the liquidation Of heavy political debt.
We have hot the slightest wish 10 force an
unnatural Interpretation Of this remarkable
transaction. nor IS it necessary TO IemiDd the
Governor that he is accepting grave response
bility He must be fully aware Of that fact
Nobody preteDds 10 doubt that the canal i'm
provement. which is going 10 cost at least $1,000
900 more than the sum which the people voted
10 spend upon assurances that they were voting
enough demands investigation. Nobody sup
poses that the people will be satisfied with an
70 hon
to be impartial and complete. II anybody is
expecting TO fool the people he is himself
fool. We do not say that anybody is cherishing
such delusion. but all who are or may be con-
nected with this affair, from Governor Black
down. need to realize that many citizens OF
New-York will insist on asking questions which
they must be prepared 10 answer. Why should
the Commission report TO the Governor In June
or July conclusions which the Governor cannot
report TO the Legislature until January? Why
should the people during the intervening period.
which happens TO coincide with a State cam
pagn in which the Governor and his party will
he on trial, be left in ignorance OF facts concern
ing which they are sure TO feel deep interest:
Or is il expected that under certain conditions
they will not he required to wait until the
meeting Of the Legislature. but will be permit
ted from time to time between July and the
Tuesday after the first Monday in November
10 famliarize themselves with such parts OF the
Commissions report as are considered best
adapted 10 their requirements?
These questions not OF our invention.
They and others like them cxude from between
all the lines of the bill which Governor Black
expects to sign shortly. They ask themselves.
and 1t would be fatuCus 10 assume that they
need not be answered They must and will be
answered In one way or another. and a refusal
to answer them would be the most expressive
answer they could receive. The people OF this
State do not like 10 dstrust their servants
They d. not enjoy stencil. We believe in the
present instance Whatever the calculations Of
Democratic politicians may be. that great
majority Of them sincerely hope to learn from
full and fearless investigation that the canal