The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1859-04-18

tional course was to levy tax 10 pay the Int
rest, instead of going deeper into the mire OF
debt by the endless accommodations of compound
interest. The Governor has now arrested its pro-
gress by his veto. The Assembly, however, on
Saturday afternoon, again passed the bill over the
veto of the Governor, by the large vote of Gil to
Is, which shows q determination to pat 1t
through. The bill was then sent TO the Senate
for like operation; but there it met with more
opposition, and the debate had not closed when
the Senate adjourned on Saturday. We trust the
veto of the Governor will be sustained.
The ad cuptandum argument of the advocates of
the bill that the State was enjoying the benefit Of
the contractors labors, and should not withhold
the interest on honest debt, is far wide of the
mark Let the honest debt be paid, but let it
not be paid by borrowed money, but out ofpre-
sent resources, through the medium of tax for
the purpose That is the honest. straightforward
and legal way of meeting the Indebtedness of the
State and maintaining its good faith and the
public credit
Such is the position in which the Legislature
now stands, after extending the session over its
proper time for adjournment, since Wednesday
last. And upon this point it may be proper to
raise the question whether the Legislature has a
right to sit at all after the hundred days allotted
by law for its session have expired; and whether
its present action is not illegal. 1t is true that
the constitution does not pronounce definitely on
this point; but from the words of that instrument
it may be safely inferred by Implication that the
session is limited to hundred days. Congress
cannot ait after the 4th day Of March, upon
which its term expires. There is no longer a
Congress in existence after that date. And why
not the same with the Legislature The constitu-
ton provides that an extra session MUST be call
ed by the Governor; and this extension being
little more than an extra session Of the Legisla-
ture, we would ask, does it hold its meetings at
the call of the Governor!
But, even supposing that from the ambiguity
Of the constitution on this subject the constitu-
tionality Of prolonged session is doubtful, the
morality of the Legislature holding over after
the hundred days have expired is to be consider
ed. At best it is very questionable. Since We'd
nesday last the members have been receiving no
pay for their services, and the idea will at once
suggest itself to the pablo mind whether men
who receive only three dollars day for their
time, while they could make three times as much
at their legitimate business, and while they
doubtless spend three times as much at Albany,
can afford to remain there, withoutremuneration
for week after the legal term ofservice has ex-
PRED. In view of these circumstances, will not
the public think, and naturally, too, that the
lobby can legislate for us altogether at its own
expense?
From present indications, it is impossible to
say how much longer this extra session may con-
tinue. 1t is probable that many members of the
Assembly, who have no special interest to serve,
will 60 home, and thus some arrangements, now
cut and dry, may he spoiled. 1t is quite safe,
however, to predict that the Legislature will not
adjourn until the interests of the lobby are fully
attended to, whatever may be the fate of those
bills which materially interest this city and State
| generally.