New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-02-02

THE DEMOCRATIC MEASURE OFFERED
AND REJECTED.
SENATOR CANTOR ACCUSES THE GOVERNOR OF
AN IMPROPER DESIRE TO CONTROL
THE Observation-Disclosures
AND COGGEsHAIL
REPLY.

Albany. Feb 1.-The proposed investigation Of
the expenditure of the S9,000,000 canal appro-
priation was reached in Committee Of the Whole
OF the Senate to-day. Senator Cantor made an
effort TO have the discussion of the matter de-
layed until tomorrow. as a great many sena-
tors were absent to-day and he wished the mat
ter debated when there was a full. attendance.
HIS request. however, was denied. the Repub-
leans insisting that the discussion should pro-
ceed to-day.
The bill prepared by the majority and ad-
vanced in the Assembly was then read and
Senator Cantor presented the minority measure
naming the investigating committee, as sub
stitute. Mr.. Cantor first explained the provision
Of his bill and contrasted 1t with the measure
which, he declared. had been prepared by the
Governor, or at least at The Governors sug-
gestion. He said he had the greatest respect
for the Governor. but Mr. Blacks Judgment had
not always been the best The Governor would
certainly appear IN better light before the peo-
pie If he should say to the Legislature, You
go ahead and make this investigation, or name
a committee to make It." The one man on the
Canal Board who had more than any other TO
do with the work Of canal improvement was
an appointee Of the Governor. The Governor
was directly responsible for his acts and ii was
unjust assumption of political power to ask
that he should name the committee to make the
investigation.
Senator Raines here interrupted to say that
the Governor had never made any suggestion
as to who should name the committee. He had
never said that he wanted TO make The investiga-
tion.
Let us see" retorted Senator Cantor, re-
ferring to the records. Did not the Superin-
oT III n 10 Engineer
send a communication to the Governor asking
him TO appoint an investigating committee. and
did not the Governor send message to this
Legislature In which he approved Of that sug-
gestion? Every man, woman and child In the
State knows that the Governor wants 10 ap-
point this committee and everybody knows as
well that the people would have much more con-
fidence in an investigation made by some other
authority than the Governor"
Does the Senator assume that the Governor
would not appoint competent and proper per
sons TO make this invest CATION" inquired Sena-
tor Nussbaum
II must so assume" declared Senator cantor
''if he insists upon naming this committee IN the
face OF the almost universal opposition or the
neople II is too great an exercise Of political
power. and as I said the people have not the
greatest confidence in his political Judgment
Senator Cantor declared that there could De
nOSSlNle
his bill They were men Of the highest charac-
ter. and the Governor could not select com
mission OF greater competency. lie was not
bowever tenacious as to these particular men
II the Senate desired to substitute names OF
equal prominence In the State
Senator Coggeshall alone spoke FOR the Ike,
publicans In defence Of the bill. He beHeVed
rat the Governor snould name the inVestigatln'
committee and had fun confidence In his integ-
ritv and his ability TO name a committee whose
Investigation would be satisfactory to all the
people He said he had much respect for Sena-
tor Cantors Judgment but feared that some
times the Senator's political anbition leo MN
astray Mr.. Coggeshall admitted that there was
some reason in the proposition for confirmation
Of the Governors appOintees by the Senate Du'
the bii; had been carefully prepared ny the
Finance Committee, and he had full confidence
that this committee had given the matter the
fullest consideration. He promised that the re-
result Of the investigation should be thoroughly
satisfactory so far as the personnel OF the com
mittee was concerned.
40 other speeches were made, and the sub
slitute Of Senator Cantor was rejected, the ma
iCrity measure being advanced 10 third reading