The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-06-06

IhiNgs in Albany-Ihe Netc York Assesnblyn,en--
1SiwWsSh of the Hard Smells aving in of the
Goremor--Aefa Gaze Of the Herkimer Msn-
The Federal Pap--The Semate's Plan sure to
Pass. AE
The tedious and undressing character Or the
canal debate would render it really indispensable
were it not for the overwhelming importance Of the
question in reference to the future financial and
mercial policy of the State. New York city, en-
crossed with the contemplation OF her own enormous
growth and prosperity smiles at the interest which
the rural districts OF the centre and west of the
State bestow upon the State works, and upon their
Insignificant trade of four millions of tons per an
mum. Their yearly revenues of something over
three millions of dollars, swept into the Golfers Of the
State, do not more than equal the corporation ex-
penditures Of your magnificent city. New York
members Of the Legislature therefore, have been &C
customed to speak slightingly of our internal i'm
provements; and the democratic representatives
especially have been often accused, with only too
much justice, of Indifference, II not hostility towards
them. Several Of the present Assembymen from
your city are fortunately not open to any such accu
sation. Messrs. Alden, Glover, D. B. Taylor and st.
John, (democrats,) and w. Taylor, (whig,) have
been conspicuous supporters from the beginning, of
the plan to amend the imperfect financial article of
the constitutions which, mainly in the shape in which
IL Has pdBSeu Glc OeHdlc Is ucStueu eventually 10
receive the sanction of the Assembly and to be APP
proved by the people at the polls. These gentlemen
are all young men, and it is gratifying to an old
stager upon the road of politics. like your correspond
ent to see young men commencing public life with
liberal understanding Of the commercial wants and
commanding position OF our Empire State, and with
an eye to the public veal, above mere party consi-
deratons. Innumerable are the instances which he
could recall of aspiring and often talented men,
whose hopes have been utterly wrecked and cast
away upon this dreadful canal whose first legislative
session was their last, and who forgot in Albany,
that they were not beyond the recollection Of their
The course Of legislative events for 1853 has been
singular and instructive. The extra session has
already witnessed triumph o conversion, and
q; For ten years have the conflicting elements
tons Of taxation, debt and canal policy, and the
present year witnesses the triumph Of the ultra
hardshelled hunkers. Seven years ago this summer
they, and their principles were PROSTATE, appa-
rently unable forever to recover the terrible blows
which Hoffman, CaMbreleng and Co. had dealt
them in the Constitutional Convention. Now, they
have not only recovered their ground, but have
LOOMS himself abandons his lifelong principles-re-
cants in May, 1885, the sentiments concerning public
debt uttered June, 1916 and yields ungradously 10
the demands Of the times. The enlargement and
completion of the canals will at last be achieved
the democratic party will maintain its ascendaucy
next fall, and the straight jacket portion of the
constitution will be amended The hunkers will
triumph, not only over the PROSTATE barnburners,
bunker ranks. The Regency-the Marcys, Sey-
mours, Wrights, Cornings and Strykers-who
thought to keep themselves above water by an aban
donment of the "old line" and a new position
among the radicals are forced to yield. to the
Cooleys and vanderbilts- the new men-the men
Of yesterday. Alas! for the old Regency.
The barnburners obtained the organization of the
Assembly at the beginning of the regular session;
they fixed the committees to suit the taste of Herk
mer and ST. Lawrence they acclaimed boldly against
constitutional amendment, invoked the shade OF
Michael Hoffman, and, when the canals were talked
Of, jestngy proposed tax in order to deepen them
six inches, and no more. They numbered in the
Assembly just forty-fve members, q majority Of the
democratic caucus without the aid of the softs
who followed, of course, the dominant and spois pos
sessing faction. Most OF the immortal forty-hye
were made chairmen of committees; as for the softs
they obtained the appointment of their sons or
nephews as messenger boys. The programme of the
six inch enlargement was propounded In q message
series of abominably lengthy and stupid resolutions
from LOOMS and West.
Two months rolled on, and the great canal inte-
rest began to get uneasy The democrats as party,
bered two to one in the lower House. Seymour had
advocated " amendment Of the constitution on the
stump, before election. The canal counties had
means enough and votes enough to make or unmake
had done nothing -nothing except debating, amend
ing, and rejecting Vests and Ioomss distractions.
so the grumblng grew louder and more threatening,
from Niagara to Lake Champain.
Then there came down to the Assembly the Sc
nate plan, proposed by Judge Vanderbilt of Brook
lyn, and amended by the suggestions Of Senators
Bristol and Cooley, carefully considered and per-
fected. 1t had been drawn by hunkers, amended
opposed by McMurray, Pierce, and Cornell. 1t had
received the vote Of a majority of the democratic
senators, and 1t came to the lower body with pow
erful odor OF Hunkerism pervading it. It was
visitor forth a harm
and what to do with it was the great question
The Governor was perplexed, the Speaker was
perplexed, Loomis was perplexed, and above all
Mr.. West, Chairman of the Canal Committee, was
were summoned into consultation with the Cover
nor, and duly informed that something must be
done. They left the presence in no amiable mood,
and some of the most ultra Of them began immedi-
States Senator in 1885, and to speak of the excellent
qualifications OF Sanford Il. Church for the executive
chair. But the Governor knew his men, and he
quietly maileda letter to Washington
After due consideration and long incubation, in
volving as many alterations in the text as the
nual message ITSELF Mr.. West (soft produced con-
stitutiona amendment on his own hook, drawn up
by Governor Seymour and honest John Stryker,
with the profound legal assistance of the Attorney
General copied after Vanderbilts as nearly pos
sible, and containing many of the prominent fea-
lures OF the latter 1t proposed to permit the Legs
lature to borrow the same amount on similar secl-
~
posing longer time within which to complete the
canals, and providing for repayment in part by
means Of taxation. This being duly backed by a
gnbernatoiial message, recommending the same,
was brought forward as the soft she'll or compromise
plan, and the barnburners stood aghast They
charged tie Governor with re-converson back to
semi.hunkerism, and all Herkimer was pale with
wrath.
Forthwith the immortal forty-fve repaired to the
executive chamber to give the incumbent bit Of
their mind, but the Governor was not to be caught
napring. The appointments throughout the State
remained undstributed in the hands of Mr.. Marcy,
anda no song no supper was the alternative pre-
sented to the wretched and furnishing disciples of
Hoffman. They yielded, like wise men; they pro-
missed to aid in the vandal work of destroying the
constitution" The result was borne on the wings
Of Morses lightning to Washington; and the barn.
burning. applicants for post offices, coectorships,
and public printing were rewarded by the prompt
gratitude Of Mr.. Marcy. Three days after appeared
the list of postmasteTs for the principal towns and
cities, among whom there were, / believe exactly
three hunkers. Thus fell forever the financial embo-
dment OF Michael Hoffman. The barnburners went