New-York tribune., 1908-10-09
CONNERSS BIG PRIZE
Il SHARE IN THE $500 900, ,OOO
Canal and Road York Used to Spur
on Grafters and HeeIers.

The spending Of approximately S200,0o0,000 of
public funds in carrying out the policy OF i'm
proving the roads and completing the barge
canal is the prize for success that State Chair
man William ]. Conners is holding up to the
gaze Of the Democratic county and Assembly
district leaders around the state.
Give the building of the canal and the
good roads. and there won't be another Repub-
lican Governor for ten years." is the way Con-
puts It to the leaders
The vision of that $2OOOOOO0O has spurred
scores Of grafters and unscrupulous heelers to
carry out the orders of Conners and Murphy in
this campaign. The Democrats have little
money. but the promise of getting something g
out of the canals and good roads has inspired
the Conners and Murphy as they have not
been inspired for years.
Under Republican administration the canal
and good roads projects were honestly begun
and they safeguarded by laws which ought
to make it difficult for the grafters to "get in
their hooks" But Mr.. Conners assures his
henchmen that if Chanler is elected they viii
at once break into" the canal appropriation
REMOVAL OF P 5. c., TOO
Another hope held out to the thirsty and
hungry is the removal Of the Public Service
Commissioners If Chanler wins. Mr. Conners
says that the law provides that the Governor
may remove them after fling his reasons with
the Secretary of State So long they are
reasons" they will suffice for grounds for re-
moval and the appointment of other men
These two great opportunities for public plum
der are about the best cards that Murphv and
Conners have these days, and they are using
them to the limit. The Democrats now have
all the elective state offices but the GovernC,r
The Governor appoints the State Superintendent
of Public Works. While Governor Hughes is
guard this official can obstruct Demo-
cratic State Engineer and Surveyor. With a
Democratic Governor everything would be wide
open for Conners and Murphy.
The great sum of money involved In the build
ing of the barge canal and the state roads
naturally appeals to Democratic politicians of
the Conners and Murphy type Murphy knows
what this sort of opportunity did for the
New York Contracting and Trucking Company
under the Van Wyck administration, when he
was In the Dock Board, and Corners knows
what it would mean in Buffalo and at other
points along the canal.
The funds for the enterprises named are joint
lv in the custody of and subject to distribution
by the officials who will be elected in November
NO PLUNDERING WITH HUGHES THERE
The high standard OF efficiency and integrity
that dictated the selection of the candidates
nominated at Saratoga together with the fact
that the money for the work thus far has been
honestly spent is a guarantee that there will
be no plundering il Governor Hughes and the
Republican state ticket is elected.
One-half Of the S200OD0000 is to be expended
in the construction of the barge canal The
sum of $J00tO,oo0 has been voted by the state
and an equal sum, il is estimated from the
localities for the construction of good roads
II Conners and Murphy eject their state ticket
this fall there is prospect OF the Tammanyiz-
ing Of the entire state Favored Tammany
leaders with contractors in their district or
ganizations, wl get their share of the business
ana a machine Will be constructed that will
make previous grating undertakings in this city
look cheap.
The members of the Canal Board are the
Lieutenant Governor. the Secretary Of State
the Controller. the State Treasurer, the Attor
nev General the State Engineer and Surveyor
and the Superintendent OF Public Works The
Canal Board has power to fix and change canal
boundaries; il determines whether certain canal
lands may be sold or abandoned; il investigates