New-York tribune., 1900-12-01

National Guard of the State. The reappolntments
will please all officials here
Colonel Partridge has not been candidate for
reappointment. far seeking the office was
concerned. but 1t IS said that he will accept it
with qualification. He has held the post of Super
intendent of Public Works for two years. has be-
we'll acquainted with its duties, and is inter
ested in his work He entered office at practically
the same time with State Engineer Bond. and
both had the same task of dsposing of the old
contracts for the 100000 canal Improvement work
Compromises have been made with a large proper
ton Of the canal contractors.
When Superintendent Partridge and State Fngi-
neer Bond assumed office they learned that forty
contracts under the canal Improvement work were
only partially completed, and it became necessary
for the preservation Of the improvements which
had been made for the safety of the canals and
the maintenance of navigation to do a large
amount of work and to pay for the same from the
funds provided for ordinary repairs and mainten-
ance and for extraordinary repairs of the canals
The engineers Of the Canal Investigation Commis-
had estimated that about $4O00CG0 would be re-
quired to complete the unfinished work on the con-
tracts Twenty-eght Of the contracts were com
promised for 1857 26 1899 less than appeared
upon the last estimates The total amount of the
contracts upon which action was taken was about
81 10000. For the outstanding contracts about
81 10000 will be needed. In a report made early
this year Superintendent Partridge said:
II will be remembered that the general improve
ment act called for the deepening of the Erie Canal
from nine feet, except over ana across
ures. where the depth of water was to be at least
eight feet. Less than one-haf OF the Erie Sabai b
been continued throughout boats cannot be loaded
IMPROVEMENT m cement Was" wss begun Uh the depth of
water structures is made the same as eise-
where the full benefit of the deepening cannot Oe
made available.
Colonel Partridge during the first year OF his
service as Superintendent of Public Works had to
struggle along with smaller appropriation thah
HF- Deun nrfW1 ont lV0
the payment OF the cost of extraordinary repairs
which In the aggregate the present fiscal year
amount TO $1.22OOOo. Speaking about this matter in
the report which ne submitted TO the Legislature
the present year he said:
Instead OF asking the Legislature for deficiency
appropriation, l sought TO meet the situation by
practising economy in the administration of the
business of all the subdivisions of the department
/ al once cut the force of employees down to the
minimum consistent with efficient service and later
increased the force during the navigation season
by the employment of only so many as were clearly
shown to be needed ana by the appointment OF
best fitted for the work TO which they were 10 be
opening OF navigation since 1882 small number Of
interruptions to navigation. a balance OF $ZVol p
bills in the office with the exception Of several IN
dispute. aggregatng s776 6i. Every EFFORT was MADE
te tember fs 50: So aD0'' anu
Edward NJ. Hoffman. the Adjutant-General, was
appointed by Governor Roosevelt to his present
office on January l. 1900 succeeding Avery d. An
drews who resigned his Office. At that time Cen
eral Hoffman inspector on the staff Of Major
General Roe. and had fulfilled the work of an In
spector-general most efficiently. General Hoffman
colonel of the 81 Regiment of New-Tork Vol
unteers from May s. 1898. December 10. 1895 His
record as a member of the National Guard Is
follows:
Private. Company D. 10th Battalion. October l,
1884, second lieutenant April Z 1877; first lieutenant.
S0th Separate Company November %. 1881; Lieu
tenant Colonel and Assistant Adjutant-General.
Seventh Brigade December 6. 1884: sUperEumerary.
August g. 1856 first lieutenant 30th Separate Com
pany, May II. 1857; captain September T. 1890; In
sDector-General. y, Y, of the grade of briga-
uary l. 1897 with original rank; inspector STAFF
OF the Maior-General commanding the National
Guard of the grade of colonel, December 81 1S9S:
Adjutant- General 5. n. Y. Of the grade OF brga-
dier-g general. January /, 1900.