New-York tribune., 1899-01-10
TO PROSECUTE CANAL CASES.
ROOSEVELT APPOINTS FRANKLIN ID.
LOCKE. A GOLD DEMOCRAT.
HIS REASONS FOR NOT SELECTING A RE-
PUBLICAN-JUDGE COUNTRYMANS
SERVICES ENDED.
SERVICES ENDED
rRY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBuSE.l


Albany. Jan. Ex-Governor Roosevets most
notable act as the Executive of the State since
he assumed office on January | was announced
to-day II was the appointment Of Franklin d.
Locke. the well-known lawyer of Buffalo, as
the Governors special representative IN the
conduct Of whatever prosecution may he au-
thorized by the Grand Jury of Albany County
against George w. Aldridge. ex-Superintendent
Of Public Works. and Campbell W. ADAMS
former State Engineer, in relation TO the canal
contracts under the Nine Million Dollar I'M
provement act.
The Governor stated early this evening that
one OF his purposes in appointing Mr. Locke
was to give confidence TO the public that the
canal prosecutions would be conducted Dy
lawyer who could be thoroughly trusted. MI
Locke was a Gold Democrat. he said. and
therefore, no one could accuse him OF shielding
either Mr.. Adridge Mr.. Adams from any
partisan motive Republican counsel, how
ever faithful. would undoubtedly have been ac-
cused by the Democratic newspapers Of lack Of
zeal in following UP any indictment by the
Grand Jury Added to this. Mr.. Locke has been
highly recommended to Governor Roosevelt as
an excellent trial lawyer. and this qualification
especially fits him to superintend the canal
prosecutions
Mr. Locke is member OF the law firm or
Rogers Locke & Milburn. whose members are
Sherman S Rogers Franklin d. Locke and John
G. Milburn men known all the State. All
three have been active In politics. Mr.. Locke
first came into political prominence as one Of
the organizers Of the anti-Snapper movement
in the Democratic party In 1S92, which was
formed TO prevent the nomination Of David B.
Hill for President, and accomplished its aim.
Mr. Locke and Mr. Milburn in 1896 were leading
Democratic opponents OF William J. Bryan.
Theodore f. Hancock, the former Attorney
General, appointed Benjamin J. Shove. of SYRIA
cuse, special counsel in behalf OF the Attor-
ney-Generars office to appear before the Grand
Jury OF Albany County and submit to 1t the evil
dence gathered by the Canal Investigating Com
mission in regard to the conduct Of Mr.. Aldridge
and Mr. Adams Mr.. Shove is now reading the
evidence carefully. and trying to learn what wit
nesses should be brought before the Grand Jury.
Since Mr. Shove was appointed ex-Judge Ed
win Countryman. who was employed by Cover
nor Black TO examine the testimony taken by
the Canal Commission, and who submitted re-
port condemning Messrs. Adams and Aldridge.
has declined any further participation in the
case although Governor Black recommended his
appointment special counsel. 1t Is not known
why Judge Countryman took this course, but
there is suspicion mat there nave peen some
differences among the counsel Of the state over
the Interpretation OF the laws bearing on the
prosecution OF canal cases. Judge Countryman
submitted a bill for $4,000 for his work, and
some surprise has been expressed over 1t. but
this .culd hardly have been the reason for his
withdrawal from the prosecution.
The appointment OF Mr.. Locke Will reassure
the taxpayers OF the State, who may have been
somewhat disturbed in mind when they heard
that Judge COuntryman had "out OF self-re-
spect." he said, declined to take further part
in the