New-York tribune., 1899-01-11
REDEEMING HIS PLEDGES.
HOW ROOSEvELTS ACTION IN THE
CANAL CASES is VIEWED.


NO ANSWER YET FROM Mr.. LoCKE--AN AssrR-
ANCE FROM THE ATTORNEY GENERAL
IMPORTANT POSTS STILL VACANT.
Albany Jan. 10 Especially. D.--Governor Roose-
velt's pledge. when candidate for Governor.
that II elected he would have thorough investi-
CATION made of the administrations OF George
w. Aldridge. Superintendent of Public Works.
and Campbell w. Adams State Engineer and
that they should be prosecuted in the courts IL
evidence should be discovered pointing TO any
misconduct their part in relation to the canal
contracts has been fulfilled in part at least In
the opinion of State officers. by his selection of
Franklin d. Locke Of Buffalo. as his special
representative in these cases. Attorney General
Davies said to-day that he intended to give the
Governor all possible assistance in the prosecu-
ton of the canal cases He added:
II shall have Mr.. Locke and Benjamin J.
Stone. OF Syracuse. who was designated canal
counsel by my predecessor Mr. Hancock, meet
at once and form their plan for joint work. Mr..
Stone has been at work for month at Syracuse,
analyzng the evidence taken by the Canal Com
mission presume that he and Mr. Locke when
they meet. will have 10 decide whether 10 60 be-
fore the Grand Jury OF Albany County with
their complaint or that OF some ether county
An omnibus" complaint could be brought in
Albany County but il special charge should
be brought against canal officials the indct-
ment might be sought from the Grand Jury OF
some other county
Governor Roosevelt stated to-day. In reply 10
an inquiry. that he did not yet know whether
Mr.. Locke would accept the post offered TO him.
but he was endeavoring 10 learn as soon as pos
sitle.
The ONCE Of Superintendent Of Public Works
Brooklyn. and John B. Weber of Buffalo. ap
pear 10 he the leading candidates. but one
here would be surprised If the Governor should
nominate some hitherto not mentioned for
the place. Elhu Root came here from New
York to-day and had talk with the Governor,
II is believed. in relation 10 this appointment.
Mr.. Root is one Of the Governors most Intimate
political friends and It is thought that Mr..
Roosevelt summoned him to get his advice.
The Governor is highly amused at the hosts
OF applications and recommendations he has
received for appointment 70 this office. They
come mostly from unknown men with none Of
the general qualifications necessary TO satisfy
the public mind in making a selection. A sam
pie Of the many communications ne receives
reads like this:
Letting candidate for the SUPPLEMENTARY %
PUBLIC works have come 10 the conclusion that
recomm md John Doe Of Somewhere for that ofice
He s 2 man & Of hish a6y unauestiCned integrity
man in The State. He is perfectly willing 70 accent
the appointment. because nc deems himself fully
qualified and from the fact that his present salary
Is 8 II per day.
Assistant District-AttorrPy Penny and Tracey
g. Becker. of Buffalo, are the two most prom
inent candidates for the District -Attorneyship
Of Erie County. The Governor said to-day
that il would be several days before he would
render decision in the matter.
The appointment cf a successor 10 John T. Nc
Dorough as state Commissioner ~ Labor
Statistics will not be made tn week.