 In 1895, he was appointed the Superintendent of Public Works by Governor (and former Vice President of the United States) Levi P. Morton, serving until January 16, 1899.While in office, he sought the Republican nomination to succeed Morton for Governor but lost the nomination to U.S. Representative Frank S. Black, who was then elected Governor.As Commissioner, however, $9,000,000 "passed through his hands and it is of record that his incumbency was marked by gross mismanagement, incompetency and waste of money."