New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-12-30

lie Works has charge of all canal improvements
and thus of the expenditure Of the S1O1 100000
on the new canal works.
The appointment is a personal one and as
such the Governor-elect defined it in making the
announcement. He said:
/ have selected Mr.. Franchot for this Office be-
cause Of my personal knowledge of his excel
lent business qualifications The superintendent
OF Public Works. you know, holds office at the
pleasure Of the Governor. This makes the choice
IN The nature Of personal appointment and
have so considered II. have known Mr.. Fran
chot for the last twenty years. and have been
associated with him IN a number OF business
enterprises, and am fully satisfied Of his excel
lent qualifications to administer this important
department Of the State government
Asked IF Superintendent Charles S. Boyd had
been candidate for reappointment, Governor
elect Higgins replied:
I really have no knowledge on this subject be-
yond the fact that he received a large number
Of excellent Endorsements. NY decision to ap-
point Mr. Franchot was due entirely TO my be-
lief that the appointment was a personal one
Mr. Boyd was appointed by Governor Oden In
1901 10 succeed Colonel John y. Partridge, when
Seth Low, who was then Mayor of New-York,
appointed the colonel Police Commissioner. The
term OF the Superintendent Of Public Works
pires with that Of the Governor.
Mr.. Franchot, the new Superintendent of Pub
lie Works, was born in Morris in Otsego County,
in 1856. His early life spent In Schenectady,
and he graduated from Union College Sub
seQuently he became trustee of this college,
Office he still holds On leaving college Mr..
Franchot went to Olean and engaged in the oil
refining business. Later he entered the bank
ing business. with which he is still prominently
identified Twice, Mayor Of Olean Mr.. Franchot
has always been closely associated with Re-
publican interests in Western New-York. He
was a member OF the New-York State Commits
sion at the Pan-American Exposition. AT the
Saratoga convention which nominated Gov
ernor-elect Higgins Mr.. Franchot leader
Of the Higgins forces. and in the campaign he
worked early and late for Republican victory.
In his new Office Mr.. Franchot will have the
disposition Of large amount of patronage. in
cident 10 the canal work. and will award the
contracts. He viii appoint a deputy superin-
tendent al a salary Of $4,000, a financial clerk
at $1,000. three assistant superintendent at
$1,000. general inspector at S15 day, nine
teen superintendent of canal repairs at salaries
ranging from $1,000 to $1,000, nineteen disburs-
ing clerks at from 5000 to $500 and a special
agent at $500.
All these places are in the exempt CLASS In
the competitive class he will have the appoint
ment OF as many more officials, among whom
inspector of steam vessels and an in
sDector Of boilers at $1,000 each.
This IS the third appointment announced by
the incoming Governor He had previously ap-
pointed Frank A. Perley, a NewYork news
paper man. his private secretary, and Civil
Service Commissioner Cuthbert w. Pound
his legal adviser. All three appointments have
been distinctly of personal character and
taken TO indicate clearly the purpose of the new
chief executive to keep his hand the rudder
IN his administration. The appointment of Mr..
Fanchot had been generally expected, except by
2 few friends Of Superintendent Boyd.
Considerable curiosity over the pending con.
tracts has been Occasioned by to-day's an
nouncement. It is believed by that, in
view Of the speedy change IN administration. the
letting Of the contracts for the first section
for which the bids have already been sub
niIted-wiu be LETT for the superintendent,
but no definite information the subject has
been obtained AS exclusively told in The
Tribune last Sunday, the relative merits OF the
unit and lump sum bids still causing con-
siderable debate.
Governor-elect Higgins Will have the appoint
rnent OF Civil Service Commissioner TO sue
coed ex-senator Pound. the present president,
whom he has named his legal adviser. DEM
replacing OF John z. Krafts Of Kingston, by ex-
Assemblyman George T. Kelly Of Albany, and a
complete reorganization Of the board is believed
10 be not unlikely