The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1848-02-08
ALBANY, Feb 6, 1913.

ALBANY, req ", lcio.
The Present egislature-Anti- Rsntism-Res.
DR.. Sprague-The Late Comptroller The
Utica Convention
This session of an ''hundred days" will not
fill a conspicuous place in history, not so con-
spicuous as the Emperor's session of a "hundred
days" after his return from Elba. We have had
some war reports from the committee on mill
tary affairs, and some proviso speeches from the
learned Chairman OF the committee on the Judi
clary of the Senate, and this is about all we have
had.
Ant-rentsm still exists in its most revolving
form. The ant-renters have temporarily suspen-
ded active operations against the public authori-
ties, out suspect that, under the advice OF their
leaders in this city, their determination to resist
encrOachments upon what they have STYLED their
PRESERVED rights is as firm as ii has ever been.
The following extraordinary resolution was Of
fered in the Senate yesterday, by Mr.. Treadwell,
Rsrolvsd Qfthe Assembly concur) That the Attor
ney General be and he IL hereby authorized to
proceedings in behalf of tho People of this State
for the recovery Of any lands in this State claimed
be held under grant from the of Great Britain
opinion such proceedings can be prosecuted with
Gers.
The resolution being concurrent one, lies
owe n under the rule
q No such procee dngs as those referred to in the
resolution could be prosecuted with success, be-
cause all those grants which were made by the
British government prior to the year 1857, have
been approved by the constitution, and recog-
nized by 1t as valid in every respect; an attempt
to lnvalidate those grants would therefore be an
infringement of the constitution.
| am surprised at the Senator who offered the
resolution, and cannot understand his motives
in offering it; The clause in the constitution
which refers to these grants, is perfectly plain,
and its meaning could not be mistaken. If the
Attorney General should commence any such
proceedings those Indicated, and if his efforts
against the grantees of Great Britain should be
attended with any kind of success, (Which is Of
course impossible) the litig ,tion which would
follow would last longer perhaps than the Gaines
suit.
The Rev. William b. Sprague, OF this city, is
most dlstingui sned and eminent divine; he is
the most impressive pulpit orator | have ever
heard he is a Protestant, and Il native of Con-
nccticut, am told. | do not know where he
graduated, nor any other circumstances con-
n cted with his youth but he is an eloquent
and powerful divine his claims to distinction
anu excellence as a preacher, are, | confess in
contestble. suppose that the church of which
he is the pastor, is one OF the wealthiest In Alba
ny. During his administration Silas Wright
was constant and regular worshpper at the
church over which this eminent divine presdes
Mr.. Spraguc Is the possessor OF a number OF au-
tographs of prominent men OF the last and present
century.
Mr.. Elagg (late comptroller) has removed from
Albany to New York, where he is acting as
treasurer of the Hudson River Railroad.
The convention of the Wilmot provlso divi-
sion Of the democracy will assemble at Utica
one week from next Wednesday. have heard
several lntlmations that the delegates TO be ap.
pointed at this convention TO 90 TO Baltimore
will be instructed TO vote for Thomas ~ Benton
cot slave Ssate) as a candidate of the radical
democracy Tor the presidency. But the Van
Burens (lne father and SOM who are ia New
York are not idle.