New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-04-13
HUGHES'S POWER WIDE
Practically authorizes State Secret
SerUice-Raincs Pleased.
[Rv Telegraph TO The Tribune.

by Telegraph The Tribune.I
Albany, April 12-The bill empowering Gov
ernor Hughes to investigate personally all af-
fairs in state departments or appoint special
Investigators was presented to-day by Assem-
blyman Moreland the majority leader. At the
same time an appropriation of $4,000 was put
INTO the supply bill to cover the expenses OF
such an investigation and the trip of inspec-
ton of state institutions which the Governor
viii make this summer
Broad enough in its scope to permit any in
vestfgation by the Governor the bill came as
distinct surprise even to many legislators who
knew how thorough plan of examination the
Governor had in mind II authorizes the Gov
ernor in effect to establish state secret SER
Vlce-a bureau of investigators to be called on
AT need. Assemblyman Moreland to-day. IN
talking about the bill, compared the functions
of the Investigators with the duties of postof1ce
inspectors who are considered the most expert
investigators and detectives in the country.
This measure formulates all the powers of in
Vestigation and supervision ever accorded to the
Governor, and many legislators deem it a hig
step in advance of the power ever enjoyed by
any Governor Such provision was inserted at
the Governors wish.
The Governor may at any time and at in
tervals of not more than three years must ap
point or more competent persons to
anime and investigate each department, board.
bureau division and commission of the state. its
methods and system of bookkeeping and vouch-
ering. its system of purchasing supplies for the
state its system of keeping records and docu-
ments. the number and grade of the employees
thereof. the kind and nature of the work done
by each employe. the salary paid therefor and
generally TO inquire into the methods and sys
TEN of doing the business of the state in vogue
commission.
PROVISIONS OF MEASURE
The bill goes on to say:
A different person set Of persons may be
appointed to examine and investigate each de-
partment, board. bureau, division and commits
sion. or any member thereof in the discretion Of
the Governor. The person or persons so APP
pointed are hereby authorized 10 take testi-
mony under oath and require the production of
books papers and documents. and shall report
to the Governor with his or their recommended
lions
The Governor is hereby authorized and en-
powered in his discretion 10 investigate in per-
son each department. board, bureau division
and commission Of the state I'm the same man
ner and 10 the same extent may the person
or persons whose appointment is authorized
hereunder. He is also authorized and enpow
cred IN making such examination or investiga-
uon 10 take testimony under oath. 10 subpoena
and enforce the attendance OF witnesses. and
TO require the production Of all books, papers
and documents.
The Governor shall transmit his report
and the report or reports of such examiner
examiners 10 the Legislature with such recon-
mendatons ms he may deem proper. and shall
fix the pensat ton of eacn Of the persons so
appointed and report the same 10 the Legislat-
ure. Such compensation and all necessary ex-
penses incurred in any examination OF investi-
CATION shall be paid by the Treasurer the
warrant Of the Controller. the order Of the
Governor, and shall IN no exceed the
amount appropriated for such purpose.
MR.. RAINEs's APPROVAL.
Senator Raines manifested considerable in
terest i, the bin to-day. He rays it Is a good
thing for the Governor to have we'll defined au-
thority To ascertain the condition of the state
departments. Assemblyman Moreand considers
the bill necessity. In explaining it he de-
clared that from the very nature of department
business some employees were bound to fall into
and lose part Of their value To the state He
said
This bill giving the Governor himself power
70 investigate all departments and additional
power TO appoint examiners inspectors at any
time. will. l believe. If made law. 90 far toward
preserving effectiveness within the departments
and preventing unbusinesslike methods and con-
conditions
Take for instance the federal postofice SER
vice. There is a distinct branch Of the service
made up OF inspectors whose sole duty is 10 de-
tect poor service and absolute methods and sys-
TENS within the postoffCes OF the country. These
men come and go. Al any time inspectors may
visit postOifice. The postal employees know
that # urges them to keep up a high standard
Of work and maintain the most approved busi-
ness methods. Thus examiners appointed by the
Governor, strangers. new men. each time if nee
essary would come into a department knowing
none of its employees and make unbiased eX-
animation.
The prediction was made to-day that one of
the first steps under the bill would be for the
Governor to call for complete payroll from
every department with specific list of the
duties performed by each man on the roll In
itself this is taken as evidence of how thorough
the Governors inquiry into department business
viii be.
Legislators in sympathy with the Governor
consider this bill Of the most important
parts OF lis reform policy. The bin, as As
semblyman Moreland originally had It, did not
specify that the Governor personally might con-
duct Investigations Mr.. Moreland had many
talks with Governor Hughes about this meas
ure and its effect and the provision that the
Governor personally might conduct any inquiry
he chose was inserted a direct result of
these conferences. Most people here, knowing
how closely the Governor is watching the gen.
eral political situation, and especially how he
is scrutinizing all things affecting his reform
policies, argue that he did not lose sight of the
advantage this would afford him in any con-
fict with legislators if opposition to his recon-
mendations forced such crisis.
DEATH RATHER THAN PITTSBURG LIFE