New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-01-16
THE GOVERNORS POLICY
NO FACTIONAL SPIRIT,
DisaUozcs Amtagomsm to Speaker
Mr.. SteUenS to Haze Free Hand.
IBy Telegraph to The Tribuns.I

Albany, Jan. 15.-Inferences drawn here that
the appointment of Senator Stevens to be SUI
perintendent Of Public Works had behind it
some political motive caused Governor Hughes
to give out g statement to-day expressly declar-
ing that he did not intend TO make the admin
1stration a party to any factional controversy.
The fact that Senator Stevens had been resur-
rected from the political grave to which he had
been consigned by the Wadsworths taken
in some quarters to mean that the Governor was
pursuing course which might align him against
the Speaker as head of the lower house in the
Legislature. This point the Governor set at
rest in the following statement:
The appointment OF Senator Stevens was not
a political appointment. 1t IS not the intention
10 make the administration party 70 any fac
uonaI controversy The appointment was
personal one, and was made simply to secure for
the state. in an important department, the ser
vices of a loyal friend and a man of conspicu-
Gus business ability. The Governor particularly
desires that the appointment should not be
garded as showing the slightest antagonism to
speaker Wadsworth. for whom he has the most
unqualified esteem.
Does this declaration that the Stevens ap-
pointment not a political appointment mean
that your policy is not to make political appoint
ments?" the Governor asked, after the
statement had been read
i don't think to discuss that" he said,
Il think the standard OF my appointments is
generally recognized by this time"
Was there understanding when Senator
stevens was appointed that he should reorganizs
the Department. the next question
mere was no understanding of any sort"
SAID the Governor. Senator Stevens will have
a free hand; subject Of course, to the policy Of
TINS administration" the Governor added with
a smile This is taken to mean that the Sem
ator' whenever he gets it, may make what
changes he finds necessary
Governor Hughes declined to comment on his
appointment of William Leary as Superintend-
ent OF Elections instead OF taking Lewis NJ.
SWasey. OF Brooklyn. State Chairman Wood
run choice. He said with curious infection
that he had arranged to have the Buildings I'm
proVement Commission. which has charge Of the
buildings of the State Charities Department
meet every two weeks instead Of every little
while. This commission is composed or the
Governor. the Fiscal Supervisor and the State
Commissioner Of Charities The Governor said
in answer to q question that he had not re-
celVed any communication from the Civil Ser
vice Commission asking for q reopening of the
charges made agains! II. Fl. Bender, the Fiscal
Supervisor.
Speaker Wadsworth said to-day that he ac-
cepted the Governors statement that the Stevens
appointment was not made from any degree
OF luminosity to the Wadsworths in perfect
faith.
tiles or interfering in difficulties" said the
Speaker. There's nothing in any story that
am planning revenge or that AssemhyInep are
plotting TO harass the Governor. NY relations
with the Governor and my sincere loyalty to
him are not changed I'm the least l knew moth
ing abou: this appointment until il was an
nounced in the Senate. so there's nothing in the
story that l went 70 Washington to get the
President 10 interfere" 1t may be said on good
authority that the only men who knew about
ment We're the Governor, his secretary and SEN
ator Stevens.