Morning herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1837-1840, 1840-04-30
Correspondence of the HeralI.I

ALBANY, April %
General Root-Bofanic Doctors Legal Reform
Speaker Patferson-Le Portrait Gale
~, &c.
Petitions have nearly ceased to flow in upou the
legislature. AS we approximate towards the close
OF the session, the people begin to the
Nty OF action on any new subjects, and think thew
may as well themselves the trouble of any fur
ther applications. Reports Of committees are now
the nrst order of business in the Senate. This
morning, General Root from the Literature Com
mlttee reported unfavorably bill to incorporate
naPlst seminary In Madison county. He accom-.
panied the report by some remarks in which he
very justly deprecated the practice of cheapening
academic honors, by granting permission to eyerv
BODY that asked it, TO confer diplomas on all aspi
rants for literary distinction.
His speech drew out several advocates Of the in
stution, and In reply the old General travelled out
OF the record to make attack on the New York
University. Your university" said he, "rears
its Gothic turrets towards the sky, but so far az
have heard, its attachments in literature and science
would do no credit to the Goths, before their
Eruption into the south of Europe"
But the old mans eloquencc was of no avail and End
ing that majority Of the Senate voted against him.
he withdrew his motion Of indefinite postpone
and the bill was referred to select committee to
report complete.
How yer, he was not discouraged at his i'll luck,
and as soon as nc got opportunity, he moved that
the Senate hold session this evening, for the pur-
pose Of considering national concerns.
Mr.. ID. s. Dickinson said he had supposed that
Congress was still in session.
After little fun among the Senators, the General
explained that his object was to bring the
rent resolutions in relation to the New Jersey case
the public domain, and the amendments to the
Constitution Of the United States.
Mr. Tallmadge said the Senate could net avoid the
discussion, and they might as well make night of
it. SO the motion prevailed, and there will be a
blowing off OF steam to night that will astonish the
natives The old General has been gene rating power
preparatory to this performance for several weeks
past, and have no doubt that he will make the fire
fly.
The report of the committee on the subject of le-
gal reform, has been under discussion. The bill
ported by the committee, with some slight amend
ments, will pass the Senate tomorrow next day.
and presume it will receive the sanction of the
House.
The bill is not particularly Objectionable but it
will furnish substantial relief TO the people. In
fact, am induced to believe that it weud lie better
to double the fees OF the lawyers rather than UNDER
take 10 reduce them. There has been vast deal
OF idle and senseless clamor this subject, but it
has been got up by demagogues, for selfish and
worthy purposes. By diminishing costs ysu pro-
mote litigious spirit in the community. The less
the expense, the grea err the number that will
gage IN lawsuits But, the people must have legal
reform, and the majority are dete rmined to give
them taste of il.
The house have been discussing report in favor
OF the application Of certain steam doctors, who
want permission to kill their patients according to
law, and further permission to collect payment for
their execution.
Mr. Charles Z. Clarke took strong ground against
the report Mr.. G.. is man Of ardent tenn permanent,
and he attacked the Thompsonians with violence
enough to break their bottles and spill all their
drops. The expediency of granting them authority
to collect pay for their services, was strenuously
defended by Mr. Wheaton, and the report was laid
on the table without taking my question upon it.
Mr. Speaker Patterson is a capital presiding OIL
Ger in the despatch Of business. He is ready and
prompt all occasions, familiar with parliamentary
usages, firm and decided, but courteous and concil-
atory, he gives almost universal satisfaction. He
has not that exquisite grace and finish of manner
which distinguishes Mr.. Bradish but he is full as
well qualified for the duty of presiding large
and miscellaneous body like the House of Assembly
is understood that the legislature is to adjourn
on the 18th Of May, two weeks from to-day The
resolution to that effect has not been adopted vet
but probably will be in the oftwo OF three
days.
The historical minister TO Holland, has not vet
been appointed but il Col. Stone will be patient
think he will have the happiness to announce the
nomination Of Mr.. Chaplin. r
have done every thing practicable in behalf Of
Messrs. Stone, Townsend, O'Sargeant, and the rest
Of the worthless Of that lk; but II is all IN vain
On this point the Governor turns deaf even to
me.
shall commence my gallery Of legislative por-
traits in my next letter. purpose to begin with the
senate shall draw to the life, and IL there is any
complaint, ] shall reply in the language Of the
Chinese, when the Englishman objected to the ugi
Of his portrait, hab handsome face, hab
handsome picture"