The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1859-02-14
AFFAIRS AT ALBANY.
INTERPRETING LOBBY DEVELOPMENTS.

Charges or SCrfuTslou tt,c
The albany Bridge Case-Lobby Excite
u,.ut-Attempt to Stide Investigations
sketch of the Debnte-Copy OF the Blu In
Relation to n New city Chnrter-The New
city Hall Bnl-Attempt to Locate the New
Post Office I'm the Park-Important Biii as
to the Assessments OF Mortgsgcd Estates,
Sc, sc.
OUR SPECIAL ALBANY DESPATCH
Albany Feb. IL, 1859.
Al No time durnc the session has there such
excitement as was exhibited to-day The subject was that
of the lobby investigation The progress OF that commit
tee was such that distinguished and well known
lobbyites were being brought up for examination This
morning resolution offered combining the committee,
in Investigations into the conduct of the lobby and the
members OF the legislature TO the present session There
being nothing charged insnuated that any corrup
tion was suspected having occurred since the lst
of January the committee have commenced in the
investigation of the which led to the pa
sage of the Albany Bridge BILL and as such bill
passed nearly three years SINCE the passage Of the
resolution would assist the committee their investiga
ton the bridge question. AS the committee had asked
for Instructions and one Of the committee had
dertaken cura the investigation the created
and which continued through the whole day,
sually great. When Senator o. B. Wheeler made tn
statement that he had proof in his that bribery
used the passage of the Albany Bridge bill; when
he stated that large of money have been indirectly
offered him by leading lobbyman, chairman of the
Investigating Committee, TO abstain from further nvesti
CATION and when he further stated that member Of the
present Legislature had prevailed upon friend of his Mr.
WI to offer amount of to have the investigation
smothered, the audience the Senators, and all, were
struck with CONSERVATION. Such reliable revelation has
never before been made. Senator Wheeler made the
charge direct emphatic and without equvocatiOn;
eess the Senate spent nearly the entire day debating
upon resolutions offered by Senator and another
qurng the Investigating Committee 10 proceed only under
written charges preferred and sworn to by persons
making them. 1t did appear that Mr.. Wheeler word
was disputed and that some portion Of the Senate re-
qured from him the authority before they would allow
the committee to proceed We give slight sketch of the
debate, which will be found highly interesting
MIR. Brandreth offered a resolution combining the action
of the Committee Public Buildings to the present
LegsatuIe-charges to be made under oath.
Mr.. o. B. Wheeler, in order that each Senator might
vote undersandingy, was disposed to make statement
to the Senate Of matters he prepared prove. TIE
Committee Public Buildings had selected the Albany
Bridge bill as the one for examination-an examination
into the Of its passage. lie prepared proye
bill Again, he believed he prepared to prove that
improper influence had been attempted to be exercised
the Sergeant Arms of this body, by member Of
this body to prevent the investigation OF the subject the
committee had commenced examining. Again, large
Of money had been Tered highly esteemed friend
his ~ use his influence him mr. o. d Wheeer) that
he would abstain from the meetings Of the committee He
was prepared TO prove all this before the committee. He
had sought the position he now occupied Some Sena
tors had stated that making the reference 10 the Com
mittee on Public Buildings it was only in fun. His
stituents were not IN iup when they sent him
funnot the most remote. He mad only to say further
that If the Senate desired abrogate the power
to the committee, very we'll He would be well pleased
If Senator'S desired b instruct him IN his duties he cised
tney osd do here, and not tollow him to The cloak
the library with their advice. The with the lobby.
He desired to be discharged this unpleasant duty
Mr.. Brandreth had been privately charged with recev
ing this resolution from gentlemen on the other SIDE Not
word had been said 10 him the subject. He consd-
cred that the character OF this Senate involved in this
transaction, and he did not desire that furnish its de-
famers with shafts tor their witty malice 1t was enough
for to examine into our own conduct We had no ie-
gitimate right to go beyond our own members in this in
vesugation. He had not been spoken this subject
He had introduced the members Of this body
he free TO that for himself he had been
properly approached by any person parties
Mr.. Doherty stated that by the adoption of resolution
by the Senate certain duties entrusted TO the Com
mittee Public Buildings. No report had yet been made
by such committee. The Senate has scarcely a right
say that that committee should not continue confidence
is to be entertained and ostered among its members We
have but entered upon the discharge OF duties. If
the confidence of the Senate is to be withdrawn then
let those who desre to interfere with the
cency. common courtesy, forbid it, the plea Of all the
criminals is can't back Such is the language Of
those whose silver has bedmmed the ustre of European
courts Are we here to be told 'we can't go back!'-
simply because a name is TO be shamed-a name corrupt
and rotten in the opinion Of all intelligent men? It was
we bad not the chance yet The bills had not yet come
along. Mr.. D. regarded that his connection with this
Public Building Committee rendered his appear
ance in Albany public nuisance. The lawyers
swarmmg around him like bees around
hive; they visited him at his rooms his lodgings
staid with him by day and by night He deemed it pro-
per that the public mind should be made acquainted with
the private lives of their servants. We should receive
instruction from masters TO the to be pur
sued When we come here should we ignore the great
principle of public vtues Should we be disposed to help
the epe We should act possessing the confidence
of the people who sent US here We called upon to
take charge Of the interests Of the State.
Mr. Owen did not intend 10 occupy any more time on
this subject, but he coud readily that his position
might be misapprehended. This morning the chairman
OF the committee had presented charges having form and
shape Investigation that direction ought not to be
checked. there Is ldsc statute book passed by
Us nat he Is prepared to prove IT, ten let the eramsnaio 90
for7cdrd. The chairman had assumed the province
e sSser let him share
the work. But, at the same time he begged 10 say
that he deemed perfectly proper for interested in
legislation to visit Senators with regard TO such business
or legislation in which they are interested.
The discussion further continued by Messrs o. B.
Wheeler and w. A Wheeler, when
Mr.. w. A. Wheeler moved to amend by making the
minaton by the committee applicable only the present
legislature and within period in which criminal pro-
Mr. Brandreth accepted the amendment
Mr. W. A. Wheeler moved additional amendment,
providing for the statement in full Of facts and circum-
stances on which the charge is founded. He held that
mans char should not be malgned, by having
subpoena presented TO him, unless upon facts
ing it. 1t should not be done upon mere suspicion
rumor
Mr.. o. B. Wheeler believed that il the motion to amend
was adopted the committee would be so hampered
TO be able to prosecute the before 1t.
Mr. W. A. WheelerWell, then let the comm tee fall.
If the day has arrived when mans character Is to be
blasted by nsnuatons and nuendoes by parties re-
sponsble-by parties who shirk the ssue-then let the
committee fall, and the sooner the better.
Mr.. Paterson opposed the motion amend. He had
believed the lobby myth but 1t seemed the Governor
thought otherwise, and bad called attention the
ter In his message. Charges had BEEN made dg1ina the
Legislature phch passed the Albany Bridge biu He was
member ftbat Legislature, and hoped the fullest in.
formation would be procured by the committee ia the
matter OF corruption ia the passage OF the bill.
Mr. Hasted was also a member OF the Legislature that
passed the Albany Bridge bill. He did desire the
statute Of Limitation inerposed far the that
Legislature was concerned. lie would give the commit.
zee the widest scope and verge making these examlna-
tons.
Mr. W. A. Wheeler stated that the charges made here
this morning by 1.-THE Senator from the Ninth (Mr O. b.
Wheeier) were OF most henous character and he
should move no other Senator did the appointment Of
select committee to examine the charges made by that
Senator. - '
Mr.. Mather claimed that the Senator from the Ninth
should give the Of the Senator who had made
lures to him (Mr o. Wheeer) through friend In an