The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1851-06-17

OUR ALBANY coRREsPoNDENcE.
ALBANY, june Is, 1851.
| a Nominal Spuksy-DaUminatio, of the ayrogam
Woolleys not 10 endorse the National Admimistra
tio~-7aegraphic Legislatiox-Hon. Caleb Lyon
The Senate-Hy Contested Seats, &c., &c.
Alth sugh Mr.. Varnum occupies the position Of
Speaker of the House. still he is only nomnaly the
presiding officer Of that body of legislators. Un-
less he squares himself the dictators sire, his
influence is no greater than the corporas guard of
iocos. There are frequently matters introduced Of
nature consistent with his pretended silver gray
feelings, but the wooey majority as often oyerrule
All action, oppose all measure s which are not
Drought forward by themselves. Several attempts
nave been made within the few days of the extra
session, 70 entertain resolutions expressing conf
dehce In the national administration sustaining the
measures OF compromise which eminent wings la.
| bored hard to achieve, viz.-Messrs Clay Web
ster, Fillmore, and Others but, as indul gence is
allowed py which an expression Of the Legislature
can DE obtained, the policy il now, rs it was dur
ing the regular session, TO smother all attempts to
endorse the administration, to uphold the Presi-
dent in his laudable efforts TO preserve harmony in
! the Union.
This morning, Mr.. Maurice, Long Island mem
Der of the House, offered series Of resolutions on
the subject of creating State debts, the completioi
OF the canals the appropriation of the surplus
nue. towards that object and averrin an approval OF
that portion of the constitution which secures and
provides for their completion. The majority con
the members, but they will neither be adopted, nor
in the least impede the passage of the nine millag
bill
Already about two hundred bills have beea 81
dered to a third reading in both houses, witho..
having undergone moments discussion, reflection
or consideration, other than in secret committee
Many Of them are of the greatest Importance tine
interest OF the State, especially those which pro
pose to lavish upon canal contractors aud other
lobby loungers, hundreds Of thousands of dollars
This is wrong, especially fro n the fact thai, IA
both houses, there are several new members-o
the Senate five, in the House two--who were no
occupying the seats which they do when tn
bills were discussed at the regular session In thc
Senate, Huntington, llalstead, and Sanford 81.
quietly and silently, and suffer the rolling througr
Of bills, which they could not, by any possibility
have examined, and probably neyor heard Of unli,
the titles were read by the clerk, and they,
sworn Senators, called upon TO vote in favor OF
so In the lower house-there are two membcrs
that body, who suffer the same proceeding, witnDa
insituting any inquiry rs to the features, object
intentions, or probable operations of either Of
two hundred bills upon which they are required 70
vote As well might tho people place upon tnc
cushioned chairs SO many plaster Paris dolls, o.
anatomical figures, with jointed necks to nod their
heada when the wires are pulled, for the sgnfcance
OF an ayo or no If those new members have an
desire 20 egisate for the interests of their constta
ents, why do they not occasionally intorpose, ii.
qnire in relation to some of the bills, and
their reference, where in the regular order Of bus
ness, their merits may be discussed
The only newly elected mornb in either bod
who has taken any interest in the rights Of his coz
sti tuents Is the Hon Caleb Lyon, Of Lyonsla,
who now aobly represents the Zlst Senate dtstric
comprising the counties of Jefferson and Lewis fi9
is not dis oncerted nor oyer-awed in the perform
ance Of what he honestly believes to be llis dlty
lie has already introduced several bills of inn y,
lance to his constituents, ard while III the perform
ance OF this duty this morning, he surpris. I'D C.
be arrested by another Senator who wanted to knos
what the contents of Mr. Lyons bills were, an,
whether they did not int fere with resolution
senate o
business to De entertained Mr. Lyon sprang to his
feet IL tanty amt administered most scathing
buke to his Interrogation. lie informed the gentle
man acd the Senate, that he placed there ~ NJ
honest and condding constituency, people sa0+t
rights had heret ofore been dsi sardcd in the
nate, and be should introduce such in t5st
body as + deemed exp dent, gardless of toe 2
tempts which have been, or may be made, TO detsr
him from doing his duty. His bill was introduced,
and referred to the committee which he desired,
Notwithstanding that the powerful influence Of
Senator's Bsbcock and Cook was in opposition
This morning, the Hon. Mr. Lyon rose, with the
Mo loik HraH in mis- hand, and desired TO mako
a few remarks on question Of privilege. lie OBJ
served in the columns Of that paper telegraph re-
port purporting TO come from this Capitol giving
| the proceedings Of what occurred here on Wednes
| day. lie stated that the report, so far as he vas
concerned, was incorrect, aud further rem Irhed
| that he had been unsupported and he ouly de
sired 10 set himself right with his constituents ii
was not aware who furnished the telegraph ports
for the New York press, but hoped, that for the
future II II was thought of Importance to repor
him at all. that it would be done accurately
than in the instance TO which he alluded.
The contest tor the toat which is vacant in con
sequence Of an equal vote in the Twenty-siyth dis
trict is not likely be very animated pso;racted
The committee selected to investigate the matter,
have decided not to travel MI Chemung and
Steuben in search of testimony; and to-day inform
the contestants, that If they would bring their test
mony before them at the Capitol, they would enter
upon the investigation. AS tais will produce great
delay, expense, and Inconvenience, the probability
is, that neither will obtain seat. MIR. Gil
bert is avcrse TO recominttng the question to the
democratic one. W