The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-04-18

At an early day committee was appointed
by the Speaker to investigate canal frauds.
Nothing was heard from it until the expiring
moments of the session, when, in the midst OF
the greatest confusion, excitement, and discord,
Mr.. Champlin, with stentorian lungs, demanded
that the regular order of business be suspended.
in order that he might make report Of very
important character from a select committee
The House, it seems, without knowing what the
report was, yielded. Mr.. Champlin then stated
what the report was, and read resolution i'm
peaching John G. Mather, one Of the Commits
sioners, for grossly improper conduct in the
discharge Of his official duties. The House
was astounded at this announcement, but in
stead of adopting the resolution, by acclama-
ton laid the whole subject upon the table.
We say this was an extraordinary proceeding.
The committee should have made their report a
month or six weeks earlier, instead of throwing
it in as a firebrand, which was seen to produce
a confagration at a moment when every men,
Der was in high state of excitement twenty
minutes before the adjournment. We care no.
thing about the merits of the report, or the JUS
tice Of the resolution; but we do contend that it
was unfair and unmanly to make the extraord-
nary presentment at the moment it was done and
in the hasty manner it was accomplished. 1t
looks as if it was the intention Of those in the
secret, to adopt the resolution Of impeachment
in hurried manner, when the members were
engaged in tumult and disorder. 1t looks to US
as if it might be construed into premeditated
attempt at persecution. What will the people
think Of it, when the reasons for impeachment.
contained in the committees report, shall be
circulated far and wide, as they will be, through
out the State?
What effect has the recent session produced
upon the harmonious democracy" Is it
now an unit as declared to be previous to the
first Of January? Are there no more hunkers
barnburners hard or soft shells? These inter-
ference, any day, to the columns of the
two antagonistic papers at Albany. The
breach was never wider than at this
moment The vindictiveness displayed was
never more bitter, virulent and hostile
The elements Of discord were never more
boisterous, and personalities never more vim
dictive. The pertinacity with which Senator
Vanderbilt and the rest of the hunkers have
adhered to the Indispensable necessity of finish
ing the canals by constitutional amendment,
has been resisted by the other side, backed by
Governor Seymour, Comptroller Wright, Attor-
ney-General Chat6eld, Speaker Ludlow and
others The yielding Of the latter at the ele-
yenth hour places them in whiting condition.
and shows that they have abandoned principle
and policy and stepped of their platform, for no
other purpose than to produce reconciliation
before the next election. They know, with the
present feeling, no democratic nominations of
Importance can succeed. There are six State
officers in the field for re-election-four barn
burners and two understand the expected
resignation Of McAlpine will bring another
candidate in the field. A new Senate is
to be elected to serve for two years, and
a House Of Assembly for one year. Should
they allow the question to 60 before the
people. as to whether taxes or tolls shall be
imposed or the surplus revenues he pledged
for finishing the canals they are shrewd politi-
clans enough to foresee the result. To lose the
State, the power and patronage Of the canals,
after having full sway only one short year,
would be preposterous; and to some Of the pre-
sent State officers disappointment from which
they never could recover. But whether the late
caving in of the adherents Of the tax and toll
project, will eventually save their bacon" is
a question for future solution.
The extra session, what will it amount to
Simply a rehash of the ridiculous nonsense, in
the main. of the expired hundred days. The
men who compose the Legislature will return
the beginning of the summer prepared for sa-
lubrious time in the shade of the majestic elms
of the Capitol park. And with the canal matter,
the everlasting code, the impeachment case, and
half dozen matters Of smaller note the very
able dignitaries Of this profound Legislature
will find ample excuse for remaining in those
comfortable quarters. until the dog-days sum-
mer disease, or some kind of pestilence drives
them to their homes.