New-York tribune., 1899-01-10
GOVERNOR IN NO HURRY.
TAKING HIS TIME TO DECIDE IMPOR-
TANT QUESTIONS.
NO ONE SELECTED FOR SUPERINTENDENT
OF PUBLIC WORKS-THE NETWORK
CITY POLICE PROBLEM

OF PUBLIC WORKS-THE NETWORK
CITY POLICE PROBLEM
Albany Jan. 0 (SpecaD Theodore Roosevelt
plainly intends to he a conservative Governor.
The careful consideration by him OF the merits
Of the various mer recommended for appoint
merit as Superintendent of Public Works indi-
Gates this fact. To-day he announced that he
had received a letter from John n. Scatcherd.
Of Buffalo. requesting that his name should not
be considered for this Office. While Colonel John
~ Partridge, OF Brooklyn. and Colonel John B.
Weber. of Buffalo, sill chief in his thoughts
for the place, there a field OF other can
didates also under consideration. 1t is un-
doubtedy true thai he Is having careful inquiry
made in regard TO the business careers and
public records Of such men as have been sug-
gested to him. Colonel Partridge is still ap-
parently in the lead among the candidates.
Another instance Of Governor Roosevelts
carefulness is disclosed In his treatment OF the
commission that Assemblyman Henry W. Hill
held from Governor Black as District-Attorney
Of Erie County This commission vas issued to
Mr.. Hill on December 81 after hurried exami-
naticn OF the Constitution by Governor Black
But prominent lawyers quickly declared II 70
be their opinion that Governor Black was pro-
member Of the Legislature any such office. Mr.
Hill lad not been sworn In as memper OF the
Legislature Of 1899 His friends therefore. ap-
pealed to Governor Roosevelt to issue TO MIN
rev commission. The Governor looked up the
Constitution in company with his legal ADVISER
Charles q. Lincoln and decided that the spirit
II not the letter forbade the appointment Of A
member-elect Of the Legislature as Distrct-At-
tus forbade
ment of an actual member Of that body
Mr.. Roosevelt accordingly on Saturday tele-
graphed to Mr. Hill requesting him to retain MS
place as an Assembiyman, and statlng irdhhS
that he would not appoint him as Dlstrct-A.- A.
torney OF Erie County The Governor III ms
telegram to Mr. Hill graciousy complimented
him on his excellent record an Assemblyman
in the years 1896 1897 and 1898, and expressed
the hope that he would remain IN the pous M vi
Hill replied in a letter, which the Governor re-
ceived this morning. that he was much grained
by this praise and that he had DECIDED noL . ~
take advantage OF the commission as Distrct-
Attorney issued to him by Governor Black, put
would be sworn in as a member of the Assembly
The fact was also made known to-day that
Governor Roosevelt Will 'go slow in the mat
ter OF favoring any legislation in regard 10 the
Police Department of New-York City. Inc
Governors friends say he is well aware that
the Police Department has slipped back INTO
its former abominable condition under Tam
many Hall management, but he Is so deslrous OF
not having any legislation OF partisan or po-
lttical nature in regard 10 lne bepditihe tna1
he prefers not to act ct all now and 70 thlnk
over the problem until he has reached some So
luton OF AZ which would meet with the favor
OF non -partisans. In other words. they say. II
ne ever favors legislation at Albany concerning
the Police Department Of New-York 1t VIII be
some act which he thinks will be regarded as
I'm the interest OF the State and the city. and not
in the interest Of any political party, except
as a political party profits by its own good deeds
Moreover IL would be some act which would be
regarded as a permanent piece Of legislation,
and not makeshift intended to give the Repub-
lican party control OF the Police Department Of
New York until there should be a revolution at
Albany and the Democratic party should come
ipto