New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-01-31
ALDRIDGE SPENT TOO MUCH.
GRAVE CONDITION OF AFFAIRS FOUND
AT ALBANY.
HALF THE CANAL MONEY FOR THE YEAR
USED UP-ROOsEvELT WILL ASK FOR
GENERAL, ACCOU NTING
rBY TELEGRAPH TO THE rRrBuNE.l

lBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRTBrNE.l
Albany. Jan. Ex-Governor Roosevelt has dis
covered that he is in a situation similar 70 that
OF a man who assumes charge Of a bank and
suspects that there deficits In it. II he is
a prudent business man, under such circum-
stances he demands an accounting Of cash be-
fore he will assume responsibility for the man
agement OF the institution.
The Governor, on assuming office, was al first
disturbed by confidential report that the su-
perintendent Of Public Buildings had not been
able to live within his appropriation. and would
have to obtain at least S207 900 to carry on the
business Of his department for the remainder
OF the fiscal year. Second. there came a private
word from Colonel John n Partridge, the new
Superintendent OF Public Works. that his prede-
cessor. George w. Aldridge had in three months
exhausted one-half Of the S100OOO0 appro-
priated for the maintenance and ordinary
pairs Of the canals for the fiscal year beginning
on October l. 1898 and accordingly he would
have to exercise the severest economy In order
TO pay his bills for the rest OF the year.
MESSAGE TO THE LEGISLATURE.
In view OF these disc. .osures the Governor has
decided 10 send special message TO the Legis-
ature on the subject Of State departments over
running their appropriations and causing def
cits to be made good by some succeeding Legis-
ature. partly by way Of warning that II this
bad management is continued the delinquent
State officers will not have any aid from him TO
make good their shortages
In this message, the Governor stated this az
ternoon, he will suggest the passage Of law
authorizing him 70 appoint an accountant 70
so over the books OF the Department OF Public
Works and the Department Of Public Buildings
Immediately, and later to take in hand all the
other State departments. II is thought posi-
BILE that in view Of the Governors desire TO
have a thorough examination Of the accounts
Of every State Department. Bureau or Commis-
sion a State Board Of Accountants will be Gre
eted Immediately.
The Governor exhibited an earnest interest IN
the discovery that two OF the State depart
rnents had run behind in their cash accounts,
and evidently will not feel safe until general
ovarhauling and critical examination Of the af-
fairs OF every State Department has been made
He was positive in his assertion that in future
every State Department shall live within its
annual appropriation and not incur bills which
it cannot pay.
PLAIN TALK BY PARTRIDGE.
Colonel Partridge when asked II there was
deficit in his Department. frankly said that he
had discovered that in less than four months
money had been paid out so lavishlJ that half
the amount appropriated for the year was ex-
hausted However. he not dsmayed. II
would have made the occupants of the crowded
payrolls Of the Department quake If they could
have been present and listened to his calm
statement that evidently too many men were
employed by the Department. that he should
largely reduce the force and exercise economy
in .cr directions
L u NIX" said Colonel Partridge, Il shall be
able tc make reductions that viii enahe us 10
pun through without asking any additional ap-
600 is annually appropriated for the support or
the Department Of Public Works. In the last
four months half Of il has been expended.
II think that Mr. Aldrdge must nave paid
some bills incurred in the fiscal year ending on
October l. 1898. with money appropriated 10
pay the bills Of this fiscal year. From the
accounts ] fudge he had only about 500 left
al the end OF the fiscal year which terminated
on October I last. Some bills which cOuld
not be paid were plainly held back and then
as soon as this fiscal year began, they were pald.
] have been Informed that some or the blls
paid were those Of contractors under the S3opO,-
600 ir1nrovement. whose work was IN such
forward condition that II was deemed best to
complete Il in order 10 prevent the states IN
terest suffering through the work railing INTO
ruin
Il think our Departments officials had too
many men on the canals last year. There VIII
not be as much need for their services in the
future IN nv judgment. IL is a bad ousi-
ness 10 incur debts which you see no way or
having Each fiscal year should be made 70
,ake care Of itself ] mean that department
should live within the appropriation made
for IT"