New-York tribune., 1899-07-21
THE CANAL REPORTS.

The special counsel In the matter of the canal
Improvement agree as TO the main question ana
do not differ materially in any respect. They
were deputed primarily to ascertain whether
criminal proceedings ought TO be Instituted
against Messrs Aldridge and Adams the former
Superintendent Of Public Works and the former
State Engineer. They report that the evidence
which they have examined with great care and
beyond doubt with scrupulous impartiality, does
not warrant such proceedings, and thus ends in
a somewhat unsatisfactory manner contro-
versy which has played an important part In
the politics Of the State for two years. We say
the result is not entirely satisfactory for the
reason that whereas the State was exceedingly
I'll served in an important and costly transac-
ton II appears impossible to obtain redress from
any quarter or to apply penalty of any sort.
The special counsel hold that the men chiefly
responsible for the direction Of the canal i'm
provement are secure for two reasons. In the
first place, their discretionary powers extended
by mschievous amendment were remarkably
large, and in the second place the statute of
limitations covers some proceedings which might
otherwise have been brought into court, though
on that point positive opinion was unneces-
sary and Is therefore not expressed. But the
discretionary powers under which the work was
prosecuted were unquestionably abused. That
was, in substance, the conclusion Of the investi-
eating committee appointed by Governor Black,
and no explanation offered in behalf of the ac-
cused officials has even tended to make it un-
tenable. They were not actuated solely by the
desire to accomplish large public undertaking
in the best manner under the free observation OF
the people whose money they were spending.
Political considerations, tenderness for contrac-
tors, secretiveness in respect to ample evidence
in their possession that the work was going TO
cost vast sum In excess Of the estimate, an ar
bitrary exercise of their power to expand spe-
cfc enterprise by unauthorized though in
measure incidental operations-these are the
chief faults which were originally alleged
against Messrs. Aldridge and Adams, and which,
after divers searching inquiries, we must con-
slider proved. In the aggregate they reflect
low sense Of official obligation and demonstrate
reckless disregard of the public welfare.
1t remains to be said that since the canal scan
dial developed the conduct of two Republican adj
ministratons in relation to it has been above re-
proach Governor Black chose a Commission of
able and upright men to investigate the whole af-
fair promptly published their findings, appointed
Democratic lawyer of excellent reputation to
review the evidence, and on his report directed
the Attorney General to take action. Colonel
Roosevelt, as the Republican candidate for Gov
ernor, boldly and honestly confronted the issue
on which the Democratic party hoped TO defeat
him and made explicit promises which he did not
shrink from redeeming after his election. Two
Democrats and Republican, all possessing the
confidence of their brethren at the bar and the
respect of the public, were selected to determine
whether or not criminal proceedings ought to be
brought against two prominent Republicans who
had been honored by their party with important
offices. They have decided against such proceed
ings for reasons which will be accepted as con-
elusive, but nobody can honestly doubt that II
they had rendered an opposite decision the de-
linquents would have been vigorously prosecuted
by a Republican Attorney General
Here, we suppose the matter must rest, so
far as individuals are concerned. 1t remains for
those who will hereafter have the power to do
so to correct the evils Of system which has
been thoroughly discredited and establish suta-
BILE safeguards for the protection of the State in
the management of its canal business.