New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1906-02-07
CALL ON THE GOVERNOR
W4NT KILBURN CHARGES.
Senate Finance Committee Hears
Senator Marks.
LRr Telegraph to The Trlbune.I

Albany Feb 6-The call of the Senate Finance
Committee for data from the Governor on the
charges made against Superintendent kiiburn
of the State Banking Department and the argu-
ment of Senator Marks before the same COM
mittee for the advancement of his resolution
providing for a sweeping inquiry into the con-
duct of nearly all State departments We're the
features of the investigation market here TO day
The Senate Finance Committee at its meeting
did nothing TO advance the resolution for an
investigation of the State Banking Department
but passed resolution calling on the Governor
for his information in regard to the charges
filed against Superintendent Kilburn. This in
formation cannot be considered until another
meeting of the committee. Senator Malby has
announced on several occasions that the regu-
lar meeting day of the Finance Committee is
Tuesday" This presages at least delay OF
week
The sentiment in the Finance Committee is
somewhat against the resolution but among the
Senators at large the sentiment in favor OF the
investigation seems to be gaining ground III
the Finance Committee should report the reso-
luton in any way there is little doubt that a
sharp debate would follow. which would align
the factions The meeting Of the committee this
afternoon was taken up almost entirely with
hearings. so that not half an hour was devoted
TO the resolution from the Assembly
The resolution was as follows:
Whereas The Assembly has passed joint reso-
luton which, among other things, calls for an IN.
tate of New YORK ana the methods thereof which
resolution referred TO the Committee on FL
nance of the Senate; and
whereas 1t is desirable that such committee
should have before it upon the consideration OF
of charges. if any which have been made to the
upon fae Wt anT 9t
thereon taken by him; therefore r..roo,f,,1,, re-
quested 10 transmit to the Finance Committee OF
the Senate such communications and the action
compatible with the public interest
The resolution will be transmitted at once TO
Governor Higgins, and he will thereupon send
his documents and information to the commit
tee. The plan Of action among the opponents or
the resolution, ii is mapped out now, is TO
bring up the information obtained by the Gov
ernor the next committee meeting for discus
sion. This may take one meeting. or TWO, o"
three.
Now the charges are the only formal ones
against the Banking Department and its super
intendent and the committee may decide after
investigation of them that, since no other evil
dence of misconduct has been brought forth,
there exists reason for probing the conduct
of the department.
The Governor declined 10 discuss the situation
to-day. He would say only that the scope of the
probable investigation was purely Legislative
affair." He still believes that there will be an
investigation. and there exists among the leaders
in the Assembly the belief that the Senators,
after they have fought a while longer, will line
up for it." According TO one Assemblynan
the Senators VIII see that they are 1oOnng
with heavily loaded projectie. and will be
glad 10 get rid of it,"
Senator Marks in urging action on his resolu-
ton demanded investigation which would
show the stewardship of public officials as a
duty the legislature owed TO the people who
elected its members.
The resolution provides for inquiry into the
methods of the Insurance Department, the Bank
ing Department. the State Tax Department and
the Franchise Tax Bureau. He declared that
the insurance investigation while it had shown
plainly the methods employed by the Insurance
Department had not looked into the business
conducted by Superintendent Hendricks, but
had showed plainly the necessity for such a
probe.
The charges filed against John J. Merrill in
the State Controllers Office too recent to
need explanation, said Senator Marks, yet they
seemed in some sense justified because In the
hearing held by the Attorney General Merrill
admitted violations Of some of the rules, saying
that he had misinterpreted them
81 don't think these investiga tiops should be
made just TO satisfy public curiosity" said Sem
ator Marks, but when there is public de-
mand so strong that shown at present and
when facts are brought out to back up this de-
mand, facts in these various cases have
shown that this demand justified I think
there should be Investigations to satisfy the
Ia,,, K