New-York tribune., 1907-01-15
HUGHES NAMES STEVENS
FOR PUBLIC Works HEAD
Surprise to Politicians s-Leary Sue
ceeds S1oasey-Other appointments
IBy Telegraph 20 The Tribuus.l


IBy Telegraph 20 The Trbuus1
Albany. Jan. 1.-THE following appointments
of Governor Hughes were announced to-nishez
For Superintendent Of Public work.-FRED~
ERlCk c. STEVENS, of Attica.
For State Superintendent of the Metropolitap
Elections District-WiLllAM LEARY. of Nsvl
For State Superintendent Of eanks-cHARlEa
n. KEEP, of Buffalo.
For Tax commissoners-F7ANKE e. PERLEYa
Of New York, and BENJAMIN e. HALL, 81
New York.
WILLIAM {. WAOHAMs. of New York.
For Misceaneous Court Reporter-CHARLES
C. LESTER, of Saratoga
Ex-senator Stevens succeeds " V. V. Franz
chot. OF Olean Mr.. Leary takes the place o4
Lewis NJ. Swasey. Mr.. Keep that OF Frederick
D. Kilburn. Mr.. Perley and SI-. Lester rs4
appointed. ard Mr.. Hall succeeds William HatS
pin. Mr.. Wadhams takes the place of ex-Judg9
Seabury. the Supreme Court bench
The announcement OF the appointment OF exc
Senator Stevens for Superintendent of Publio
Works carried the entire Senate off it's feet By
its sheer unexpectedness. Senator Hooker. who
succeeded Mr. Stevens. recovered first. and
moved that the nomination be confirmed inl<
mediateIy. 1t was. before the buzz of aston<
ishTnert which greeted the announcement had
died.
Little less astonishment was caused by tha
appointment OF Mr.. Leary as Superintendent OF
Elections in place of Lewis NJ. swasey. who was
appointed ad interim by Governor Higgins. Mr..
Swasey had the backing of State Chairman
Woodruff and vigorous campaign was waged
here for him. The opposition TO him was voiced
first by the Citizens Union which declared that
a political district leader should not hold Office
which might be swayed through political con-
siderations.
The appointment OF Mr.. PerIey. who Is all
ready IN office under recess appointment by
Ex-Governor Higgins. confirmed at once oE
the motion OF Senator Agnew. after Senator
Raines and Senator Grady had made plessans
speeches expressing their high regard for his
public services
In appointing ex-senator Stevens Superins-'
tendent of Public Works, Governor Hughes has
disregarded absolutely the advice and requests
Of politicians Of every character. The appoint
ment is purely personal one. made because or,
the friendship the Governor bears for Mr.
Stevens, and the high regard he has Tor MS
business ability and integrity. Mr.. Stevens
was absolutely dark horse" Four active
candidates had appeared for the place-Me<
Dousau Hawkes. who had the backing Of Hers
bert Parsons. president of the New York County
Republican organization: winslow NJ. Mead.
at present Deputy Superintendent. who had the
support OF Railroad Commissioner Aldridge and
many upstate men; Henry A Van Astyne<
formerly State Engineer and surveyor. and
Colonel Symons who practically had beerx
dropped from the race.
Ex-senator Stevens was not eager TO take tns
place when the Governor broached the s1oiecrs
He is a man OF wealth and large business inters
est which demand his attention. and hs said hs
could make moro money working lots shortsf
hourss But the Governor talked it over WITH
him when he was here last week. and finally ha
consented to serve
Interest in the appointments centred IN this
one and that of the Superintendent Of Elections.
Not man here knew who the appointees would
be before the announcement, and when the clerk
began TO read the list every Senator sat for
ward In his seat Mr.. Perley's appointment waa
confirmed: that of Mr.. Hall was sent to tha
COMMITTEES on taxation And then:
TO be Superintendent OF Public Works. Fred<
srick c. Stevens Of Attica," read the clerk
Every man caught his breath and a look o9
blank auazement spread over every face; a mo-
ment later the Senate chamber was In a ripple
Of laughter The Governor had indeed surprised
the politicians. Then Senator Hooker sprang to
his feet and got the appointment confirmed
The appointment of Messrs. Leary and Wadx
hams are victories for Herbert Parsons. Mn
Perley. too. indorsed by Mr.. Parsons.