New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-04-07
PRICE THREE CENTS.
GOVERNORS IRE KINDLED.
THE TWO MACHINES TRYING TO BLOCK
THE CANAL INQUIRY.
HE is DETERMINED TO HAVE AN INVEST.
CATION. EVEN AT PRIVATE EXPENSE
WHAT THE POLITICIANS FEAR

Albany. April (speciaD There was light
ming flashing around the Executive Chamber to-
day for the first time since Theodore Roosevelt
became Governor The Governor was thorough
ly aroused over an apparent plot to prevent ado
duate appropriations being made by the Lcgis-
1ature to prosecute the investigation of the con-
duct of George w Aldridge former SuperIn-
tendent Of Public Works and Campbell ".
Adams. former State Engineer. when they had
charge of the execution Of the canal contracts
under the Nine Million Dollar Improvement act.
The Governor Informed the newspaper corre-
spondents that ii was rumored that the twenty
three Democrats Of the Senate and two or three
Republicans were going to refuse 10 vote enough
money to Austen G. Fox and Wallace F. Mac
Farane to enable them TO make thorough
search for evidence bearing on the canal scam
da He did not believe this rumor true.
but II the desired appropriation of $4,000 for
Messrs. Fox and MacFarlane should fail to re-
ceive the approval Of the Legislature. he would
attempt to raise the amount by popular SUBJ
scripton pay it out Of his own pocket.
WHERE THE PLOT WAS DETECTED.
The Governors statement was due to an ap-
parent opposition to the $4,000 appropriation
disclosed at a meeting last night Of the Senate
Finance Committee. The members OF this COM
mttee are Senator'S Higgins, Raines Msby.
Brown. Krum. Stranahan. Humphrey. Arm
strong, Martin. Plunkitt. Douglas. Ellsworth
and Grady. The committee in session until
long after midnight and is said to have been
occupied mainly in debating the merits of this
appropriation.
The Democratic opposition took the form NJ
proposing that the Legislature itself should re-
sumo the investigation Of the canal scandal, tho
argument being made that large sum OF money
had already been spent by the Canal Investiga-
tion Committee, and debts incurred by ex-Judgs
Edwin Countryman and Mr.. Fox and Mr.. Mac
Farlane. and money paid TO Benjamin J. Shove.
the Attorney Generals special counsel, and yet
no prosecutions had been instituted. Senator
Grady said to-day:
Il think Acknowledgement Davies and Com
missioner Partridge Of the Department 81 Pub
lie Works should take up this investiga tion in
asmuch as outside counsel have yet accom-.
plished nothing"
Some of the Republican Senators favored the
idea OF an investigation by tnc LeGslature-
which could be controlled.
II is pretty plain that the Democrats arc op-
posed to Messrs. Fox and MacFarlsne having
enough money, because they do not wish evil
dence gathered which may he used against
Democratic canal contractors. over 30 per cent
of the contractors are Democrats.
The Republican attack, 1t is hinted, comes
from the Republican machine. which does not
want the canal frauds probed 10 such an extent
that certain persons still in the employ OF tine
Department Of Public Works and the state En-
gneer's Department may be disgraced and COM
PEELED TO give up their offices.
SUMMONED TO ALBANY
Governor Roosevelt sent a telegram tonight
to Mr. Fox and Mr., MecFarlane requesting them
10 come TO Albany tomorrow morning He de-
sres to have a talk with them as TO the result
of their examination Of the evidence taken by
the Canal Commission. They are understood to
have read carefully some six thousand type
written pages OF testimony and then TO have
put the points In shape for examination ana
comparison. 1t is also understood that they de-
sire to send experts to various places In the
State where the canal work went on 10 GET ad-
ditonal information bout the manner n which
the contracts were carried out
This boring into the history Of the canal work
is not satisfactory to the canal contractors. nor
to various canal officials who are stll IN tne
employ OF the State. The Democrats wish 70
protect the canal contractors and the Repubn-
can organization the canal officials. lf the
canal officials should be dismissed by state En-
gineer Bond Colonel Partridge, the Superin-
tendent of Public Works. in consequence OF the
investigations OF Messrs. Fox and MscFarane.
the lines of the Republican organization in vari-
Gus counties would be badly broken. Already
Colonel Partridge has dismissed a good many
good party workers whom he did not think ht
servants of the State. and caused confusion In
the Organization" camp In several counties.
If this sort of work goes on in every canal coun-
ty where are the delegates TO be obtained tor
the next State convention?
The Governor Is thoroughly arouse about the
matter Whether the Legislature aids him or
not. Mr. Fox and Mr.. MacFarlane will be sup
plied with the funds for prosecuting this IN
auiry 1t will not be sdetracked by any al
legged investigation by the Legislature, or cut
short by the requirement that Mr.. Fox and Mr..
WacFarlane shall complete their work within a
certain time II is to be prosecuted honestly
and thoroughly.