The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1859-02-14

and significant
STATE STUMBLING OF New York CRY, AND
THE REMEDY.-The treatment of New York city
at the Capitol at Albany savors more strongly Of
the despotism of Russia, or France or Austria
than of the action of Legislature elected BY
the people, and keeping in view the great demo-
crauc principles OF equality, and justice and
freedom on which the American system is
founded. The last act of injustice to New York
attempted to be perpetrated was the seizure of
the unclaimed funds in our city savings banks.
in order to complete the canals of the State.
When this failed, and the conscientious legisla-
tors knew that, after squandering nine millions
OF dollars as they did, they could not venture to
raise any more money from the people at large.
they now again single out New York as their
lawful and devoted prey, and by one fell swoop
propose to take away West Washington
market heretofore regarded as the property of
the city, and sell it to the highest bidder, in
order to raise funds to carry on those public
works in the interior Of the State in which the
city has only comparatively small interest,
and which are chiefly designed for the benefit Of
needy and greedy politicians. On Thursday
last Senator Ames, Of Oswego county taking
the hint from the Commissioners of the Laud
Office, who leased this ground last April to
Messrs. Brennan and Taylor, brought 10 bill to
confirm the injustice and sell out the alleged in
terest of the State in the property. If this pro
perry fairly belonged to the State, why did not
the State authorities claim it long ago?--why did
they allow the city to incur the expense Of
retaining and improving the ground under
water and adapting it to city market? They
wait till the city makes large expenditure to
render the lots the more valuable, aud then they
assert title to the whole concern. Is this fair
or equitable! Surprising the ground under
water did belong to the State the Legislature
ought to have ceded it to city which is the
source of the States Importance and without
which it would cut but small figure among the
States Of the Union.
The only remedy for this---the only way to
meet the continual injustice to which New York is
| subjected-is for this island, with Long Island
| and Staten Island, to form new State, and cut
| the painter from the northern and western part
Of the State. The new State of the Three
Islands might be called the State of Man
haitian, from the original name of the
most important of the three. Thus, Long
Island and Staten Island, without attempting to
| rob us, could share the glory and the benefit Of
being incorporated with the Empire City. iles-
| ined to be the commercial centre of the world.
CHARGES OF CORRUPTION IN THE STATE
SENATE--ATrEMPT TO Cover UP THE TRACKS,
On another page will be found highly interest
ing despatch from our Albany correspondent, in
which he gives report of the debate in the
Senate of this State on Saturday last, from which
| it appears that Senator in bis place. Mr.. O. 3.
Wheeler, made specific charge of corruption
against member Of the Legislature, and also
against member Of the lobby, in connection
with the passage of the Albany Bridge BILL and
instead OF the Senate counting and demanding
investigation into the purity of its own acts a
most disgraceful attempt was made to stihe
inquiry, though Mr. Wheeler repeated the charge
again and again, and offered to produce the
proof Of his allegation
Suspicion has long attached to the manner in
which that bill was carried, and vague, underlined
general accusations have been made. But nov
Tor the hrst time man comes forward boldly
with specific charge against member of the
Legislature and against o leading lobbymap.
lie says openly and above board that
this lobbynau had offered him. as chaic.
man of the Committee of Investigation
appointed to inquire into corruption in
connection with public buildings, large sums
OF money if he would stop all further in
vestgatlon, and that member of the Leaisla-
tire had prevailed on friend of his fMr.
Wheelers) to offer any amount of money 10 have
the investigation smotbered. He said he was
prepared to prove that improper influence had
been attempted to be used over the Sergcant-at-
Arms by member of that body to prevent the
investigation OF the subject which the commit
tee had commenced examining.
What is done by the Senate in the face of
these criminal charges?
AS If TO prove the truth of the charges reso-
lutlons are offered to limit the inquiry of the
committee to the action Of the present Legisia.
ture when 1t is well known that the corruption
goes back three years ago. and other technical
diflicnities are thrown in the way by amend
ments, calling of the roll, and other ingenious
devices to shirk The question and gain time till
IL was managed to reduce the members below a
quorum, and an adjournment was consequently
compelled without taking any action in the
premises
We think any honest man ought to blush 10
belong TO body who have acted in this man
ner, and we hope Mr.. Wheeler will not let the
matter rest and that he will reitcrate his charges
I'LL shame forces the Senators into a thorough
investigation. Why should the inquiry be limit
ID to the present Legislature, when perhaps
nothing tangible can be proved since its cleo
ion? Why should not the people be permitted
70 know all about the corruption of tue past as