New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-04-11

ROOSEVELT DEMANDS MONEY TO CON
TINUE THE INQUIRY.
A MESSAGE FROM THE GOVERNOR TO THE
LEGISLATURE AND STATEMENT
OF WHAT HAS BEEN DONE.
LnY rELEGRAPu TO THE TRIBuNE.l


[BY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRBUNEl
Albany, April 10.-Governor Roosevelt sent
message to the Legislature tonight. accom-
panied by report OF Austen c. Fox and Wallace
MacFarlane on the result OF their examination
of the evidence taken by the Canal Commission.
The Governor puts upon the Senators and AS
semblynen the responsibility for any delay in
the prosecution OF those who made money fraud
ulently from the canal contracts Messrs Fox
and MacFarane show that they have done thor
ough work In the examination Of evidence, and
that they now need money to prosecute their
inquiry further into particular transactions re-
lating to the canal contracts. The Legislature
can hardly refuse the money needed-S20 900
after such documents have been presented to IT,
THE GOVERNORS MESSAGE.
The message of the Governor follows:
herewith transmit a copy of a letter re-
ceived by me from Messrs. Fox and MacFar-
lane whom | appointed as counsel to take up
the matter Of the charges In reference to the
canal contracts under The acts Of 1s9J and 1876.
i earnestly request your careful consideration
OF this letter and immediate action upon II. IL
Is obviously in the interest OF the administra-
ton OF Justice that funds be Immediately made
available to enable the counsel to carry out
the work which they were appointed to perform.
Delay in furnishing them the means so to pro-
ceed may result in guilty parties being pro-
tected by the statute Of limitations 1t is equally
obvious that only by enabling counsel to find
out the exact facts is 1t possible to settle
whether not indictments should be found
against any persons connected with the canals.
There be nothing more important TO the
State than the punishment Of the man. con-
tractor public official who has done wrong
on the hand. or, on the other. than the
clearing of any man who has been wrongfully
suspected. And the only method by which
either Of these results can be reached Is by pro-
vidlng funds sufficient to enable the counsel
n IN a conclusion
they are now engaged. T. therefore. call your
attention to the urgency and importance OF
the matter.
STATEMENT OF COUNSEL.
The Governor submitted with his message the
following letter from Messrs. Fox and MacFar-
lane:
In reply to your request to be Informed wnat
progress we have made in examining the tesu-
mony taken by the Canal investigating COM
mission and reported by them TO your prede-
in Office with view TO avisng you
whether or not criminal prosecutions should De
Instituted against any OF the persons inVolVed'
we beg to report that we have during the two
months which have elapsed since we were ap-
pointed carefully read the voumnous testimony
taken by the Commission and their report. De-
sides the report OF Judge Countryman and the
statements published by the former state Engi-
neer and Surveyor. Mr. Adams, and the tormer
Superintendent OF Public Works Mr.. Aloridge'
We have also examined large number or ex-
hibits and documents relating TO these trans
actions in the offices OF the Controller and State
Engineer
disclosed and partially examined many transac-
tiCns which are suggestive OF wiongdolpg py
the parties engaged In them. and when we
think should be more carefully examined. The
nurposes for which the Commission were ap-
pointed did not require that exhaustive ana pre-
else examination OF witnesses with reference 10
particular transactions which should IN our gu,
Judgment precede criminal prosecutions We
must make the examination now II our work Is
to continue
Most OF the witnesses. assistant engineers, In
spectors and others employed by the state on
the canal contracts under the acts OF 1S!o and
1896 are no longer employed by the state Ihe
addresses OF most Of them. however. are known
and they can In all probability be FOUND Be
fore bringing together a Grand Jury for the
purpose OF considering charges against anybody
connected with the award and performance OF
! contracts for improving the cahal unuer une .,as
acts of 1890 and 1896 we consider II essentiai
to find these witnesses and obtain from tnem
statements OF their knowledge or the trahsac-
tions which we have selected for examination
This will require the expenditure OF consider
able sums for travelling expenses OF witnesses
and counsel for stenographers' fees and other
ordinary disbursements OF preparing case
Until we shall have seen and talked with these
witnesses we shall be unable to determine
whether or not Grand Jury should be called
upon to consider specific charges against any
body involved .
actions mentioned In the proceedings OF the
, Commission upon which TO concentrate our
work. and II supplied with the funds necessary
to prosecute the inquiry we hope TO be abie
within a few weeks to advise you deflnltely
whether or not we think any cases should be
presented to a Grand Jury.
ANY appropriation that Is TO be made Tor the
rurposes indicated in this letter should be made
without delay The statute OF limitations
against nisdemeanors such as wilful neglect or
duty or wiful omission to perform 1t: by pup
lie officer or wilfu disobedence OF statutory
nrobib,tIons Is two years and many OF the most
important and most criticised OF the canal con-
tracts under the acts OF 1899 and 1896 were lei
much more than two years ago
When the message was read in the Senate
there was no debate. but It went to the Finance
Committee.
AJLEGED LYNCHERS on TRIAL.