New-York tribune., 1901-11-11
COL. PARTRIDGE'S RECORD.
SERVICES OF SUPERINTENDENT OF
PUBLIC WORKS, WHO NAY BE
POLICE COMMISSIONER

Albany Nov 10 (specaD.-The inclusion OF the
o,,a ~ Colonel John n Partridge. of Brooklyn.
.he State Super.ntendent Of Public Works. In the
list of the that Mayor-eiect Low OF New orH
may consider in selecting a Police Commissioners
has been noticed with much interest by the state
officials here Colonel Partridge was appointed 10
his present office by Governor Roosevelt on jan
uary 16. 1899. and, is well Kno~n Io'eilo
Roosevelt took particular pains III iiiesiiie MS
choice of for this office one OF 1oVeIlio
Roosevelt's for this care prooaoy was 'hd'
the superintendent of Public Works might De con-
sidered member of the Governors personal ON
cial force since under the terms of the constitu-
ton he holds his Office only until the emu oi te
term Of the Governor who appoints him.
Colonel Partridge by virtue of his Office is also
member of the Canal Board. the other members
being at present Lieutenant-Governor woodruff
Secretary of State McDonoush. Controler hflsnt
State Treasurer Jaeckel, Attorney General Da'teS
and State Engineer Bond. This board in most
;nobtrustve manner without the slightest blare of
trumpets. has rendered great service 10 the peo-
pie of the State the last three years This service
was the settlement of the claims OF the canal con-
tractors who were executing the 100000 canal I'M
provement work The claims and contracts
amounted to several millions but Colonel Partridge
and other members of the Canal Board gained such
knowledge OF the justice of the claims OF the con-
tractors that several hundred thousand dollars only
has been paid. and thus a large amount OF money
has been saved the State Moreover the contractors
are satisfied that justice has been done them
Colonel Partridge's administration of the canals
has been thoroughly satisfactory to the state au-
thorittes and to the members c: the canal commit
tees of the houses of the legislature That fact
was shown conclusively when early in this year
Governor Odell reappointed him as superintendent
of Public Works. and the nomination was unani-
nously confirmed by the Senate The Superintend-
ent of Public Works has charge of the expenditure
Of n large amount of the States money upon the
canals of the State. For the fiscal year ending sep
tember go 1900 there expended on maintenance
and ordinary repairs of the canals N,0l4o 49, IN
collecting canal statistics. s23.26 81: in new work
and repairing damages. SsS5.9i9 10. and in the eX-
penses of canal survey ssS13l SIS; grand total of
S11679S 27
The canals have not only been kept in good con-
dition. but. in the judgment of many canal men,
are In much better condition now than when
Colonel Partridge became the Superintendent OF
Public Works.
Superintendent Partridge recommended as an in
centive to canal commerce that the act be repealed
which limited the capital OF companies navigating
the 10000 1t being suspected that canal
transport alton companies, with large capital would
be organized If the law should be repealed The
legislature of this year accordingly passed and
Governor Ode signed bill authorizing the or
capital ranging from s 900 to 100000
Colonel Partridge also member Of Governor
March 1889 to consider the broad question of the
proper tolicy tn state oI shqnid ad s t
members General Francis Y, Greene, of New.York;
intendent Partridge state Engineer Bond. John
NJ Scatcherd. OF Buffalo; Frank Wttherhee. OF
Port Henry, and Major Thomas ". Syrnons OF
Buffalo This committee reported that the canals
connecting the Hudson River with Lakes Erie
Ontario and Charnplain. should not be abandoned
hut should he main tanned and enlarged. and that
the project OF ship canal was Il proper subject
for consideration by the Federal Government, but
not by the State OF New-YoTk. The committee
specifically recommended the construction Of II
the along the line chiefly Of the
Erie Canal. OF sufficient size to boats l6o feet
in length. - feet in width and u feet dranght with
cargo capacity OF approximately l,oco tons each.
The estimated cost OF this project SIS sSi Cos
An acquaintance of Colonel Partridge said yester-
day that OF his merits a Police Commits
sioner OF Brooklyn was his introduction of Civil Ser
vice examination methods IN making promot tons.
and that thus the men OF ability and good char
acter in the Police Depart tnont, without regard
their political opinions secured advancement
higher grades in the police service.