New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-02-23
MR.. HELMS CONFIRMED.
AN INTERESTING DEBATE OVER THE
OUTGOING OF ISAAC G.. PERRY

OUTGOING OF ISAAC G.. PERRY.
Albany. Feb % (speciaD.-The Senate to-day con-
hrmed the nomination of George L. Hens 10 pe
Commissioner OF the Capitol 10 succeed lsaac W.
Perry tho veteran architect. who was oroue"' -
Albany from Binghamton by Governor CleVeIa"u
ora Installed IN office sixteen years ago. senator
pai,es made an attack on Mr.. Perry. and senator
GRADY and Senator McCarren declared the Gov
ernor TO be not a true Civil Service reiorner' 4"e
remarks OF the other Senators. notably MaIDy anu
Coggeshall were full OF encomiums LOT Mr. .e,Iy
.nd ~ regret that he must retire. Senator Mdioy
even brushed away a suggestion Of tear as ne
referred to the long friendship between hihseii
and Mr.. Perry. man whose monument "' O"''
tol would endure for all time.
senator Raines declared that the removal OF MI
Perry had not been made one moment TOO SOUL
II Mr. Perry had built monuments 10 ms com
n.,ency the people had footed the bills 10 'he -"
tent OF millions OF dollars TO pay for MS
cant IDEAS He had never made an estimate
yrhich proved TO be sufficient for the work Inc
senator recalled an estimate Of Mr.. Perrys. S"'
FOR ventnating the Senate Chamber and 1t hau
taken 100000 to complete the work. ono S'a'e
building he could recall where the foundations oe
signed by Mr. Perry without seeing the grounu
would have been twelve feet in the air
senator Grady amused every one by saying they
were to-day contemplating the wreck OF CNli SUI
vice reform. which the Governor pretended 10 rep
resent He urged the Senators to stand py lho
old shin for tho storm would come that woulu
nut a man less recreant TO his pledges IN 'he "
ecutive chair. lie thought the dismissal ol W.
Parry sure proof that the Governor hao pee"
chosen for Rough Rider. His opposition 10 .ne
'spoils system before he was elected had mace HIS
military record pale into insgnihcance'
"senator Raines" he continued. tells us MI
Perry was the most unit man who ever held the
,place When he wants 10 discuss that QueSuo'
he should hunt up Ex-Governor Morton anu e
x;overnor Black and ask them why they ever heid
40
building twelve feet in the air In oeienulne %
s-overnor Morton and Ex-Governor Black thoush
aney might select another spokesman ior heep'"e
IN Office a man who was commended LOT MS MN
esty and for the pride he took IN the WORN 'I'
Estate committed to his care. do my duty 10 pre-
went. II possible, the disgrace OF MAINS 80
whose study for sixteen years has been the nono,
NJ tho Empire State from going with the prdiu
(which removal from office can make upon n''
sstainess public life ~, .
Senator Ellsworth said Mr.. Perry ACCORDING ~
bsenator Grady had come into office sixteen years
/, co when they were both Senators. acting upon
Tho nomination made by that eminent DehoeIa'
whose comfort and convenience were not served by
having the Senator from the XVIII longer IN inns
p%TEbat he Is here now" said Senator Ellsworth,
sand that that eminent Democrat Is no longer III
public life will prevent me o IRON me n6brnati6n at
marks as 10 how he Votea o" 'i0 'O'''''
.rho time of Mr. Perrys usefulness has gone ne
80 dnP,ss as he did for another in his time Inc
nroinea "a not unheard Of His buildings dot the
'.natrorol,s and are not inferior 70 any or Ml.
tPerry's save perhaps this Capitol IN auaptaI @
10 their purposes any oho "'''U "
Aertainly superior. &c., -. x-11-.h will rn-
"Perhaps the Senator from the NV VIII , Re-
onember that when he and were in the senate NJ NJ
Rorrv,s estimate for completing the work was the
Sama as when we came back. and all the ume lle
State had been appropriating and MI Perry eN-
vending millions. Time and time again Mc go
asLsd 70 provide for deficiencies because lhe
hrnbitect had been unable complete the buidlhg
after the plans and specifications mace out oS
saDator Coggeshall did not want 70 defend the
s-overnor and thank Mr. Perry, or delend AT
perry and thank the Governor for putting n ~
irnblican in place OF a Democrat He deprecaied
~ hostile and unwarranted custom OF dlVulgihg
facts against men "who are not here 10 speah.,
TJe deprecated the unwarranted ana unjust atlach
Iof senator Ranes) against man WhOin ne nau
Known for twenty years. whose name hau ever
Seen free from the breath Of scandal or susplcloh
who was nearly through with the battle or NE.
lie declared that Mr.. Perry stood four-square 20
every wind that had blown whatever foiDles ne
has had. whatever mistab she has MADE 49,,
MIR Perry" said Senatsr Malby. never asked
the politics Of man he put TO work ! consider u
81 duty after an acquaintance of so long a ume
and knowledge Of his devotion TO public duty. 10
Tesify 10 his attributes and worth. Long after
his critics have passed off the stage the monu-
ments to his great intellect and absolute integrity
will endure In former administrations ! did not
favor the anpointment OF his successor. as I
thought he ought finish this building which Is
his lie work. This Is done. and ! see no reason
why the Governor should not remove him now.
The nomination Of Mr.. Helms was then confirmed
by a vote Of 90 10 %. the Republicans voting in
the Affirmative and the Democrats in the negative.