New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1858-01-09
FROM ALBANY.
From Our Own Correspondent

From Our Own Correspondent
ALBANY, Jan. 3, 1853.
In one of my letters, written before the meeting
of the Legislature, l hazardcd the opinion that
Messrs Adams, Bachelor, Russell and Boughton
would act with the Republicans. can now see
no other reasonable solution of the present diff
cultv-nOne which will comport with the honor of
those gentlemen. 1t would have been bettsr to
have Joined the Republicans in the outset, and
would have ssyed them much annoyance. The
course they have adopted, no matter how they
may finally vote, exposes them to the ugly susp-
con of trading away their votes for fat places Tor
their friends.
If they can stand this sort of reputation it is not
for us to complain.
The Assembly refused this morning TO ballot
again. and adjourned over 10 Monday evening.
Thus ono yvaak of th. k""I.eI i~v-i~ sve, "nd NO
inifS accomplished. Some persons affect to
consider this delay an advantage to the
State They are not passing laws, and the
Treasury is not depleted by bad appropriations. 1t
is cooy assumed that the Legislature, in the exer-
else of its appropriate duties, the passage of laws
will not regard the true interests of the State 1t
il further assumed that the shorter the session the
less injury they will do. How far the conduct of
past Legislatures may justify the first proposition
will not say. but there is no truth in the second
assumption. l doubt not that more laws would be
passed in session of fifty days than in one of two
hundred. Last year, in one hundred days, more
acts were passed than ever before in the longest
session. The calendar Of both Houses was cleared
Everything was done in hurry. Hardly single
law was duly considered. There WAS no time for
full discussion and debate and il is safe to say that
half the number of laws would not have been passed
iftimc had been allowed for elaboration.
| think short sessions viii prove to be an evil and
that the State will lose more by hasty, ll-dlgested
legislation, than by Ill the expense of the most pro-
tracted sessions.
One half the members elected are without any
Legislative experience, and very few have the knowl'
edge of our past history, tho practical acquaintance
with the actual workings of our Government, to fit
them for their duties. Most of them have every
thing to learn. How can such bodies be expected
10 egislate wisely and economically If we would
have our public affairs better managed, we must
contrye some plan to commit the management to
more intelligent and more experienced agents. The
most intelligent man, serving for the first time in
legislative body has 10 study his manual, and spend
DAYS over old reports and documents, before be can
feel himself competent to his work.
If our Senators could serve years, and our Mem
beers of Assembly four, their experience and fam-
lar knowledge of the business would be OF some
value to the State. At present the services of at
least half the members of the Legislature are
worthless 10 the State and to themselves.
So far from thinking short sessions and short ser
vice "A saving and benefit, am of opinion that long
sessions and long service would give us laws more
wel-considered and insure stricter economy in
appropriations.