The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-03-30
ODELL'S GRASP FOR POWER.
BILL TO COMPLETE HIS CONTROL
OF STATE INSTITUTION.

Governors Cootr0t, Oy GFIn8 Him
Power Each Year. Just Before Elec-
ton, TO Determine what Salaries Snail
he Paid Them Durins the Ensuins
Year-Enccts % Previous Legislation
Passed Under the Piea q Economy.
ALBANY, March 3e.-No more AFRO CANT
grasp fer power over the charitable insti-
tutions of the State could we'll be thought
of than Is contained In the bill introduced
by Senator McEwan Rep.. Albany. at the
nstigation OF Gov. Odell and State Fiscal
Supervisor Harry II. Bender Of Albany,
who would do anything Gov. Odell told him
to in the administration OF his department.
just after the last election Gov. Odell told
his friends that he was through interfering
with the Judiciary. These same friends
are wondering why he continues to antago-
nize the best people Of the State. who devote
their time and money to benevolence and
charity.
The McEwan bill does nothing more than
place the 900 employees In the State chari-
table institutions directly under the control
Of the Governor. for it allows him just before
election each year 70 determine just what
their salary shall b for the ensuing year,
The bill provides that the State Comptroller
and President OF the State Board Of Chart
ties shall from time to time classify into
grades the officers and employees Of the
various State charitable and reformatory
- tx,,ts AvA To- h. ~ ornlp
each year recommend to the Governor
such changes In the salaries or wages OF
such officers and employees for the ensuing
year as may seem proper, but such changes
shall not be made unless the Governor shall
approve Of the same.
This bill has been reported favorably
by the Senate Finance Committee. It act
ually provides that before any OF the en-
ployees OF these institutions can have the
increases In salaries pro- ided for by the
present salaries and wages schedule. their
individual names and salaries must receive
the personal 20. X of the Governor him
self II the Governor sees At he can keep
the now salary rolls submitted to him each
September until after election before acting
on the recommendations. Supervisor Ben
der, Of course, with his valuable campaign
assessment experience. VIII make . useful
adviser as to the status OF the faithful.
The salaries and wages paid In these insti-
tutiops aggregate about 100000 annually.
and three per cent. campaign assessment
,aoh yse,. ....A .. ~. hander's own clerks
S@Ve 70 pay. foots up the tidy sum OF els.ooo.
The 0overnor's oraxy quilt legislation
sfectine the charities and State hospitals
Vas ell been enacted under the pressure
l. ~ Ii IL
mental dust raised by the now weather.
worn cry Of ECONOMY All Of this legis-
lation u clearly intended to place tho patron
age and the payrolls Of the State institu-
tions under the Governors own thumb.
and they are to-day practically at his
mercy. Some Of the idiosyucrasies Of
this lsgislation would be amusing II the
subjsct dealt with were not such serious
one and did not affect so many saddened
homes and the lives Of such large number
81 the unfortunate wards OF the State.
Under the plea Of economy, the Gov
ernor two years ago caused q reduction
in the salary Of the president OF the State
Commission In Lunscy, who u by law
the medical member Of that body, from
n 800 70 5000 q year. and then Agreed
that the present incumbent should give
two days q week only to the work Of the
commission, whereas his predecessor gave
his entire time TO his Official duties. This
year a bill has been introduced to pro-
vide for the president Of the lunacy COM
mission an assistant In the shape Of
medical inspector, At . salary Of Is 900
q year and his expenses. to do his work
Tor him.
Again. under the pleA OF economy. the
Governor last year secured the passage
OF IN got authorizing him TO appoint a
Hscal supervisor Of State charities. TO
exercise the fiscal powers with relation
70 the State charities which were formerly
lodged with the State Comptroller. On
the pretenoe that large salary was neces-
sary to secure the best-equipped man In
the State for this position, the Legislature
was compelled to increase the salary Of
n. 900 Q year originally named In the bill
to S.0o0. which IN the salary paid to the
State Comptroller. who Is an elective officer.
For this choice place the Governor named
Harry II. Bender Of Albany. a machine
politician. who was best known a. the COL
'ector OF campaign assessments for the
looal boss. Mr. Bender when appointed
hlled the position OF Superintendent Of
Public Buildings, and through this APP
continent the Governor secured not only
he services OF a willing Adjutsnt TO ma
aipulste the State charities for personal
and political purposes. but succeeded in
having his own man from Hewburgh APP
pointed a. State Superintendent Of Public
Buildings. having the expenditure OF 500. 900
year, subject only to the Governors
approval.
Supervisor Bender immedia teiy d gnalised
'is devotion to economy by Spending eso,0 600
10 NJ up onices In one Of the towey OF the
sapitol for himself and his staff Although
ne lives at the institutions while on his
POUNDS Of duty and 10 obliged to visit them
only twice Q year. the appropriation bill
pending In the Legislature proposes TO
add the neat little sum Of 81 500 annually
his income for the alleged purpose Of
,oyering his personal expenses while trav-
cling Those who know Mr.. Bender
'ssdily realize that he will be more than
100 10 the good on this transaction.
Nr Bender passes upon ths purchases
groceries and provisions for These
Institutions. and Senator McEwan has
mother bill pending which 10 Intended 10
facilitate the control Of purchasing pro-
visions and supplies for the State char
table Institutions by Mr.. BENDER. About