New-York tribune., 1899-07-12
ALDRIDGE TO GO FREE.
FORECAST or THE REPORTS NOW
BEFORE THE GOVERNOR
SPECIAL COUNSEL DECIDE. IT IS SAID.
THAT THERE Is NO GROUND FOR
PROSECUTION IN THE COURTS.
[BY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRiBUSE.l

[BY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE.
Albany. July 1i.-Attorney- General Davies
departed from Albany tonight for New-York
intending tomorrow afternoon to travel from
that city to Oyster Bay, where he will hold a
conference with Governor Roosevelt upon the
reports submitted by Austen G. Fox. Wallace
Macfarlans and Benjamin g. Shove in relation
to their discoveries concerning the conduct OF
George w Aldridge ex-superlntendent of Pub
lie Works. and Camobell W: Adams. ex-State
Engineer. when they were charged with the
duty Of expendlng 100000 in canal improve
ments. Governor Roosevelt. II is believed. has
for some time had in his possession the report
OF Messrs. Fox and Macfarlane. and, II is
thought will receive that OF Mr. Shove from the
hands OF the Attorney General tomorrow night.
Messrs Fox. Macfarane and Shove DO not ap-
pear 10 have been at all reticent about talking
concerning the results OF their labors, and the
evidence as to what they have said is ali OF one
tenor. II is generally understood that they have
decided and will report TO Governor Roosevelt
that there is no ground for prosecution In the
courts Of Mr.. Aldridse and Mr. Adams. There
were reports at time that Mr.. Shove differed
with his colleagues in this respect. but the latest
statements OF those who have talked with these
lawyers II 70 the effect that they are agreed on
this matter.
Official Albany believes however. that Messrs
Fox. Macfarlane and Shove Will point out forci-
bly, in their reports the errors made by Mr Al
bridge and Mr. Adams while managing the canal
Improvement work. Waste and extravaganza
doubtless will be charged wherever II Is apparent
in the canal work All Of the lawyers have made
a most exhaustive examination Of the evidence
taken by the Canal Commission. and also have
examined the law and documents bearing upon
the subject under investigation.
COST OF THE INVESTIGATION
The work OF investigating the conduct Of the
canal officials has cost the State a considerable
sum. Thus the Canal Commission expended
S36 So Ex-Judge Countryman, who made an
investigation at the suggestion Of Governor
Black put in a bill for 5000 which is yet un-
paid. and $4,000 was appropriated TO pay the
expenses Of Messrs Fox. Macfarand and Shove.
This makes a total. II Judge Countrymans bill
is considered Of s69,s15.
Yet a good many Of the present canal officials
would contend that this money has been well
expended. since II has disclosed faults Of canal
MANAGEMENT and Of the making and execution
NJ canal contracts which will he Of the greatest
value II the voters ~ the State ever decide 10
continue the work Of canal improvement There
certainly will never again be such loosely drawn
! definitions Of material az IN allow good deal
Of hard earth to be paid for as rock; and
/ the tightening up of the Civil Service reeua-
! tions by Governor Roosevelt will make impossi-
! ble again the appointment Of such an extrava-
! gantiy large body Of politicians as was alleged
10 have been employed in canal work
TIE new Republican canal officials Edward
/ A. Bond the State Engineer and Colonel Jonn
| " Partridge the Superintendent Of Pubic
Works by their efficient and economical man
/ arenent Of the canals since the first OF
! January. have won back a good deal OF the
/ public confidence which was lost tn previous
/ years by the officials Of the Canal Department.
/ ouietlv both officials have been dropping dis
/ trusted men and putting In their places men
/ Uho they thought would do better pubic ser
/ vice The Canal Department is being run al
/ less expense and yet the canals are IN goou
| condition The best proof OF the Improved stdle
/ ~ the canals is their large increase OF trahc
/ This wear The present canal chiefs. VINO are
/ both members Of the Advisory Canal Commls-
/ sion hone that the voters Of the state may
| eoon he persuaded to continue the work OF canal
improvement in view OF the threatened cana
]