The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1860-04-19
DOings OF tho Late LeRislaturc-An U.
paraleled Career OF Corruption.


Paraneled Career OF Corruption.
The annals Of politics or the history of legis-
lation present NO parallel to the shameless and
unblushing corruption of the republican Legis-
lature which has just closed its existence at
Albany. From the first day of the session to
the last hour of Its career, its course was
marked by an undisguised rapacity for spoil,
and an open disregard Of decency and justice,
such as NO legislative body in the world ever
had the hardihood to display.
There were two prominent systems of cor
ruption inaugurated for the control and gov
eminent of the Legislature. The first was
actually brought into play before the election,
by the Clinton League, a body of canal for
warders, to secure the election of those parties
only who would pledge themselves to support
the canal interests regardless of all others.
This was done by addressing interrogatories to
candidates In all the districts throughout the
State, as to whether they would sustain the
views of the League, and whenever the answers
we're unsatisfactory, money was poured into the
districts to defeat them. The second part of
the oorrupting machinery was set to work the
moment the Legislature assembled, and that
was system Of log.rolling initiated by the re-
publican leaders, whereby their favorite mea-
sures could be carried through; foremost among
which were the schemes of plumber directed
against this CITY, to rob it of its franchises, to
denude its executive of power, to concentrate
patronage and influence in the partisans of the
republican party, and to barter its rights to
individual spectators on consideration that .
portion of the profits should be contributed to
aid the election of W. 81. Seward to the Presi.
dency. By this system the votes of members
were snapped on different measures; the bills
in which rural Legislators were interested were
passed, on condition that they would support
the Ubiquitous schemes of the republicans; and
where this mode Of exchange failed, money was
literally used to buy up votes.
Now let US see how this plan operated, and
how freely money was lavished in carrying it
out From fifteen to twenty thousand dollars
was spent, it is asserted, to pass the West
Washington Market bill, which received
the veto of the Governor, but which was
afterwards out-vetoed and became law.
This scheme is worth about half million of
dollars. The city railroad bills, which were
also passed over the Governors veto, cost
about $4,000 in money and stock, and that
was cheap enough, considering that they are
worth some fifteen or twenty millions. The Aims
House bill, as 1t is called, which was rushed
through at the very last moment, cost about
$4,000. The successful insertion Of the clause
in the tax levy giving $4,000 to the Commits
sioners of Record, subject to judicial decision,
cost the friends of that measure, it is said,
about $4,000, and hard battle, protracted to
bills which have become law.
OF the bills not passed we have first the one
cent ferry bill, to defeat which $4,000 was
spent, and it would have cost good deal moro
only for the Encouragement of an agent on
the other side, who, although he went to Alba
ny furnished with $4,000 to carry it through,
to drive 80 hard bargain, that he all
lowed the enemies of the bill to defeat it for the
smaller sum Of $4,000. On the Albany and
Susquehanna Railroad bill, which failed to pass
In the Assembly over the veto, no mouey Sw
spent was passed in the Senate on the .ag.
rolling system, In exchange for votes on auo,h
er measure, worth some three or four millions
to the parties Interested, but which fortunately
did not reach the House. The rail.
roads had to spend about $4,000 to beat
the Railroad Toll and Pro Rata btiis 10 the So.
nate. The Amended Charter, which the alder.
men directed all their strength agains., because
it deprived them Of their patronage, was kept
back to the tune of $4,000. The Insolvent
Debtors bill, which, it is said. was dhcocted
for the especial benefit of two or three men,
bers of the Legislature and their friends was
passed for the triflipg sum of $1,000, sub
scr'bed for the purpose by Buffalo. Rochester
and Oswego. This was what might be called