The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-12-04
VAN ALsTYNE OUT or IT.
AIdridge s Lieutenant. Mead, Put Forward
for superiutendent OF Public Works.

AidrtuE e's Lieutenant. Mead, Put Forward
for superintendent Of Public Works.
G~overnor-elect Hughes, according to
Republicans who talked with him yesterday
and who are interested in such matters,
minated that there was now little proba-
bility OF his appointing Henry A. Van
Alstyne. defeated candidate for State En-
gineer and Survey or, to be State Superin-
tendent Of Public Works, in place OF Nichola
V. V. Franchot, who retires on January I
with Gov. Higgins. 1t was announced
almost positively that Mr.. Van Alstyne
will not get the place.
Then there was q revived boom for Wins
low NJ. Mead Of Rochester, who has been
Deputy superintendent Of Public Works
since his appointment by George W. Al
bridge. January ?, 1896. Mr.. Aldridge was
appointed Superintendent Of Public Works
hV Gov. Morton, and was retired from that
Vi ,ce because Of the 50 900 600 canal scandal.
II came out yesterday that MIR. Aldridge
is behind Mr.. Mead for the place Of State
Superintendent, and that Chairman Wood
ruff has not been altogether averse to MIR.
Mead's selection. G~overnor-elect Hughes,
however, has the appointment, and he
seems to be in a pretty independent mood
at the present moment. Moreover, be is
looking into all recommendations for ap-
pointment.
There is opposition to Mr.. Mesd's APP
pointment because OF his close connection
with Mr.. Aldridge, and the fact that Mr..
Mead has survived the administrations
of John n. Partridge, Charles Spencer
Boyd and Nicholas V. V. Franchot was not
considered of material weight yesterday
by Republicans who talked abou this
matter.
The Republicans who oppose Mr.. Mead's
selection recalled that ex-Judge Edwin
Countryman Of Albany had q few words
10 say ia an official document about
Mr.. Aldridge as Superintendent Of Public
Works and the $1,000, 900 canal scandal
and Mr.. Aldridge's s~ubordinates in the
office. Gov. Black had appointed a canal
investigating commission, meantime ac-
cepting Mr.. Aldridge's resignation. and
the commissions report was submitted
TO ex-Judge C~ountryman for a thorough
examination, together with all the testl-
mony taken. Judge C~ountryman reported
that the acts and failures to act of Camp
bell W. Adams, then State Engineer and
Surveyor, and Of Mr.. Aldridge as Superin-
tendent of Public Works were sufficient
to warrant the presentation Of their cases
TO the Grand Jury OF Albany county and
the institution OF Crlmlna proceedings
on behalf OF the State.
Judge Country man said.
The natural and necessary conclusion
il that by far the greater number of original
contracts lin the $4,000, 900 awards) were
awarded and aGterward recognized and con-
tinued in force by the Superintendent OF
Public Works in plain and direct violation
not only Of the Nine Million Dollar act hut
Of the Constitution.
There are doubtless instances among
the subordinates Of both the State Engineer
and Superintendent OF Public Works who
have been voluntary and willing assistants
in the commission Of the illegal practices
which have been brought to light in the
course Of the investigation by the COM
mission. | have not deemed it desirable
or eNpedient. however. in his preliminary
report to single them out, as the Public
Prosecutor should be left at liberty TO exer-
else his discretion in using n OF them
as witnesses for the people against the
principal offenders
Mr.. Mead was Mr.. Aldridge's chief as
sistant.
IL came out yesterday that Judge Country
man, who was employed by the State TO
make his report on the Canal Commissions
report. has never been paid for his services
and that an appropriation OF 1900 20 pay
him was vetoed by Gov. Odell at Mr.. Al
bridges instigation. When Judge Country
man made his report Gov. Black wrote a
letter TO ACKNOWLEDGEMENT Hancock re-
questing him TO take charge OF Judge
Countryman's report and prosecute all
hands, as recommended by Judge Country
man. Nothing was done, however.