New-York tribune., 1898-01-11

formation Of this matter. and hence could put
forth no efforts, as he would have done TO stop
the canal work until the peoples wishes in re-
gard to spending $4,000 600 could be learned.
MR. ALDRTDGE'S LETTER.
Mr.. Aidridge's letter follows:
Albany. January 10. 1898
Hon James A. Roberts. Controller. Albany. y. Y.
Dear Sir: beg leave to acknowledge receipt of
your communication Of .he 9Th inst. the contents
Of which note you we're pleased to furnish 10
the press even in advance of ts transmission 10
ne have given careful, consideration to points
covered In your letter. which. I understand
them. arc:
That the contracts for the Improvement OF the
canals now under way be either abrogatcd or that
the work thereon be suspended for an indefinite
time
That Il was upon the assurances OF this Depart
ment and Of the State Engineer and Surveyors
Department that the canal could he improved for
the S90coCo thai the people were induced to vote
to bond the State for said Improvement.
That In authorizing the expenditure OF 100000
the poopl, did indicate their willingness TO OK
pend $4,000. 0Co for that purpose
That you as n member of tho Canal Board would
not have voted to approve the plans and specihca-
tions for the canal Improvement had the state
rnent not been made in the Board that the work
was planned and the contracts being let on the
IaSlS hl colHpitAiHb hi'' HP' 'N''''' 49,
appropriation
That 70 injury can be done TO the operation Of
tho canals as result OF suspension Of improve
ment work.
That II the 100000 were all expended larger
boat could use the canal than
THAT # the work be susnended now In connec-
ton with your suggestion. S,5oolOo could be saved
70 the State in case the people should not au-
thorze The expondlng Of the additional sum needed
70 complete the improvement
hog leave to say that aft" n very earnest con-
s,doration OF your suggestions, which. / shall as
sumo IN order that 7 NAV give full and far
reasons for my decision were made with an hon
estv OF purpose I shall respectfully decline to
entertain for single instant your main sug-
cestlon viz The interruption Of improvement
work Charged as I am by tho Constitution, and
sworn as am 10 perform the duties or my once
in connection with the law. do not propose TO
shrink from n faithful performance or my fuli
du,v in an emergency because OF clamor that
has been raised by persons poorly Informed as to
facts who purposely lead their listeners and their
readers to conclusions not honestly reached-con-
cIus,ons no: supported by facts. because even II
facts have been sought they have not been de-
termined.
HE HINTS AT POLITICS
The Improvement OF the canal system OF inc
state whether such should be done with me APP
nropriation or with an Increased approprla''oh
sucr 1fit be made n political question. the friends
- ,ho canals and all those favorable 10 the main
,,co ., the supremacv OF the Empire states
r,ra, ereotncss Will ro found one side
.o,r,e.d 70 them will be the enemies Of tho canals
-, .,.t- allies those whose own selhsh interests
dictate t. them the desrapl"'y oi d" e"''' u'0''
Of the States waterways
,vt,ho,t directly taking issue With you or your
...,o,, that In authorizing the expenditure OK
80 |,, r.,, IN improving the canals the people did
~, ,,d,cate their willingness TO expend N6'eocW
,or ,ho, nurpose | beg leave ID say 'hat take
~, ,a,or ,.ew than your words would suggest
ia the intent represented IN the laForaOie vote on
~ ~ ' ,,,,,nrovc,nent amendment | shall believe
until II - demonstrated diherehty thHt thht vote
~. ,orolv . declaration on the part OF the peo-
:. ,ha Emplr. state that the commercial
,oss ~ our State should be conserved. |
-. !, ove, y small minority Of those voting In
c- -, the Improvement proposition studied for
= r,ouent the question as 10 the amount that
nv. ,n,olv.d in making such an improvement l
haleye the sentiment az then recorued = 'He se'-
roent that exists to-day
DENIAL OF RESPONSIBILITY
,,,,,uo 7 shall not seek to escape any responsi
lllity that attaches to myself IN connection with
~, ,,hoIe question either as Superintendent OF
pnnrc Works or as "A member Of the Canal Board.
, len, n but fair that should remind you OF
rho fact that neither previous to the authorization
hy tho LEGISLATURE OF the expenditure OF the
8, No, f0) nor since such authorization have ! fur
nIshed any estimates TO what an improvement
on the lines desired by those most Interested
would cost have confined myself to my duties
as the executive officer.
The law OF 1885 required that: within three