New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1867-04-15
C0RRnpnON 1T ALBANY.

! The bill providing for the systematic improve
ment of the wretched Piers and Wharves
whereby our City is damaged and disgraced
was beaten on Saturday in the Assembly.
| Twenty-one Republicans voted against it, and
! q did not vote at all. This is an emphatic
answer to the charge that the measure was
political, for on the final vote there could be
! found but 81 Republicans in its favor. No one
who reads the list of Yeas and Nays can fail
20 see how false was this charge, and there are
few who will not suspect that the majority of
the A. Republicans who voted Nay, or lodged,
understand too we'll that, though Mr. Thurlow
Weed has been turned ont of the party, he
still holds his own in the Lobby.
1t is now morally certain that no measure look
ing 10 the reform Of City abuses or the facillta-
ton of transit between the City and its vicinity
will pass our present Legislature while all
manner of schemes which seem calculated to
advance personal and pccuniary interests are
received with favor. Neither of the Under
ground Railroads has been so fortunate rs
10 secure the assent OF both Houses ;
what one passes with nanimity the other
defeats while the Broadway and Cross
Town NIorse) Railroads are both pushed
with evident intent 10 pass them over the
Governors Veto. On Saturday, the Ncw-York
County Tax-bill WAS largely swelled III the
Senate; while the consideration of the Gov
errors Veto of the Central Fare bill (Which
was to have been acted on at noon was put
over till tomorrow evening by vote of 10 TO
II. II is currently reported that the object of
this is to await the veto on the Broadway
Surface Railroad, in the hope that the strength
of the two measures may be combined and
the two yetoes thus ovcrriddcn Whatever
the fact may he, the report excitcs the live
licst sensation
Charges that corrupt and meTccnary influences
are powerful in both branches of the Legisla-
ture are openly made in the journals, on the
streets, and wherever men may congregate.
The Union League Club indorscs them; so
does lin eflect) the powerful organization of
like name which is diiused over our State.
These charges are not, therefore, dictated by
partisan hostility, though paltry attempts are
made to render them subservient TO partisan
ends. And, while it is certain that the present
Legislature contains a considerable proportion
of as pure and true men rs ever graccd
FORUM the conviction that very large number
of our present legislators are purchasablo is so
earnest and widespread that we deem a thor
ough investigation-by the Legislature itself
and by the Courts also if need be-impcatively
demanded
We suggest, therefore, that some member of
either House shall at once demand such Il
scrutiny, and that the Committee thereupon
appointed shall require the members severally
to state whether they have or have not been
solicited to report or not report, to vote for or
against, any bill or other proposition, with an
intimation that they might derive personal
profit or advantage from such report or vote
Let each member in succession be required to
state on oath all he knows that seems caIcu-
lated to cast light on this subject, and let all
others who could probably clucidate it be sum
moned to do likewise The people want to
know the truth in the premises; and they
have a right to know it. Before any vote shall
be taken with intent to override one of the
! Governors vetOes, let this matter be probed
TO the core. Such searching inquiry is due
to a public, justly sensitive as to the reputa-
ton of its rulers, and not less to the good
name of the many thoroughly upright and
worthy members of the Legislature itself.