Weekly national intelligencer., 1851-04-26
ABRUPT CLOSE OF THE SESSION OF THE L.
GIsLATURE OF NEW YORK.

& Inc SESSION Vi uic AesiSAdsuiS v -" -S.> n"
brought TO an abrupt termination on Thursday even
|ing, BY the revolutionary proceeding OF thirteen
Senator'S, who, to prevent the passage OF bill to
which they were opposed, took upon themselves
the responsibility of breaking up the Legislature
and arresting the Government. The Canal Enlarge
ment bill, which had been under consideration IN
the Senate for two days, came to vote on its third
reading on Wednesday night, when thirteen OF the
Senators withdrew, leaving the Senate without
quorum. AT the opening of the Senate on Thurs
day morning twelve of the Senators who had with
drawn the previous evening sent in their resigna-
,ions. The thirteenth avowed his purpose to with
draw whenever the canal bill should be brought to
vote, and acted accordingly. The Senate, being
thus deprived of power TO legslate, was forced 70
adjourn. and the House Of Assembly, being power
less without the cooperation of the Senate, was
obliged follow its example, and both houses ac-
cordingly adjourned sine die about seven o'clock in
the evening. Nts
In narraling the above events, the Albany " Re
gister" adds the following appropriate comments:
"This extraordinary procedure is wholly unprecedented in
the history Of State. long stride in the direction
Of snarchy. l, IS step in legislation, but the end
TOM prescribe the in which members Of legislative
bodies .ha manifest their opposition before them
That the opponens Of measure when beaten the vote,
may break up the Legislature defeat it, is menstrous pro-
position, aud utterly subversvs Of all Legislation and
Scsscey law could be passed If this allowable
what the ground Of objection is The idea that
unconstitutional ustfes this step for its
tion ridiculous The question Of consutonay is the
ground Of opposition large portion Of the which
before every Legislative body No Legislature could sit
fortnight without exploding il this rule prevailed Besides
there is established tibana beyond the Legislature to
which the Conssuion assigns appeals from the decision Of
the Legssure the consttutionaiy of The
Judiciary has alone the power superior to the msoriy Of
Legislature determine questions Of consiluionaty The
act under consideration therefore unnecessary, and
patton we'll revoIutonafy. The which occa-
stoned this high handed procedure clearly unconstu
tona is insignificant by the side Of which disegards
only the Constitution, but strikes at the foundation Of all
Government. The people will mistake this desperate
exhibition of obsinacy for devotion the constitution.
The sudden termination Of the session has had
the effect Of wrecking agreat number Of bills, which
had occnpied much time and were nearly through,
and Of preventing the passage Of the annual appro
priation bills, without which the affairs Of Govern
ment cannot be long carried on, as well as many
other bills Of paramount importance to the Stale.
Governor HuNT has already issued his Procla-
nation, directing electioas 10 be held for filling the
of the recusant Senators, and calling special
session of the Legislature to be held on the 10th of
June next. So that an immediate appeal is thus
taken to the People.
We extract from the Letter of our New York
City correspondent more particular account Of the
matters at issue between the friends and opponents
Of the Canal Improvements, as follows:
/ .s@ @ TN NEW YoRK, APRIL l9, 1851.
After very quiet fonisht quite long time in this city
for the cessation If novelties in Church. State, Society,"
community has boon thrown considerable excitement
BY and violent breaking up our State Leaisa
tuE n very novel and peculiar manner State politics are
not always generally Of very decided interest 10
readers in sections Of the country the present
phase Of New Vosk political history may perhaps be an ex
cep0n to this re especially is illustration Of the
working Of free astituions, which merely specu
tive observer would be interesting.
bill has been Sendng before the Legislature called the
Erie CGnGl Enlargement Bill authorizing loan of nine
millions Of dollars chiefly for the purposes the enlargement
Of the Erie Genesee Valley, and Black river Canals and
Pegng the future Of these canals for the payment
loan Canal politics in this State separate and
very complicated branch Of politics. fruitful Of discussions and
party Strife and the canals themselves the subject Of especial
legislation 10 the Constitution Of the State adopted in
1876 This nine million project, which received the sup
port OF the Whg majority in both branches Of the egisa
tu was attacked by the Opposition, particularly in the Sc
nate repsgnan to and in direct violation Of the provisions
the Consuton declaring that with certain exceptions in
extreme debt shall be contracted by or on behalf
OF the people of the State, unless such debt be for single
work or object and tax be imposed sufficient to pay the
principal and interest within eighteen years from the time Of
its contraction, and that every law authorizing loan shall be-
fore it takes effect be submitted the people at general
election, aud be approved by msoy Of all the votes cas-,
for and against it."
Oher provisions Of the Constitution prohibiting the Legs
from selling leasing otherwise dposng Of any Of
the canals OF the State providing for the application Of the
revenues Of the canals in each fiscal year. and limiting sp
popaons BY the Legislature space Of two wears from
their passage are also cited prohbtory Of the proposed
Great and violent has been the discussion
BY this state OF things great violent than can well
imagined by unacquaned with the character Of
New York politics. and the controlling influence which the
policy in the hands Of the party in power for the time
being, exerts the temporary desnes Of the State AL
baDy politicians have been from times distinguished
for their zeal and energy in all the stagems and tactics
the Legislative campaigns The Canal Bill was fortified by
opinions in favor Of its consutionay the Hon. JoHx
o. SPENCER and other prominent counsel to whose views
Mr. WEBSTER lent the sanction of his name and Judgment
and the other hand subject the counter batteries Of
the Attorney General Of the State whose fire certainly had
the advantage in point Of position and other vigorous
sutonal defenders became evident that the bill would