The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1867-05-04
WORK OF the LEGISLATURE.
Intrigues and Faction Fights
of the Session of 1867.
The Governors Party and the Gov
errors Ambition.
The Tax Levy Bill and Its Secret
Passage.

The Tax Levy Dill anu AsS 0SSACs
Passage.
DC &C. &c.
The nneeh session Of the Legislature OF the State Of
New Yok-as the late sitting of that body will in future
be known in the official records-presents some most
curious features in the history OF legislation In few
bodies have there been diverse interests, more
party struggles, schemes for private enrichment,
or more straagems for political Advancement both OF
individuals and parties Fortunately for the community
however, the very combination OF many hetero-
gene0us elements the Of deadlock on many
subjects Of legislation filed with injustice the public
The old prover5 about honest mems rights being unmo-
Tested when rogues disagree applies very appropriately
in this connection.
METROPOLITAN ESrERPRIsRa
At the outset Of the session, when the members pock-
stuffed with the initial drafts Of bills and when
the lobby dsposng their forces and making their
combinations for the campaign, there perfect
mania regarding the Of the word Metropolitan The
seeming popularity with republican Legislature Of
affecting reform in the Metropolitan district such
intended In the establishment OF Metropolitan police
Metropolitan Fire Department Metropolitan Board
OF Health, and the like induced the trainers Of bills
lug In that seeming potent word wherever IL could
introduced. The result propositions for the ncor-
vate a. well Of public Tho aneciaton Of
this title, however, productive in the end Of un-
happy results The innumerabIe commissions for the
government and regulation OF affairs New York and
vicinity at last created much odum that the grandio-
quent title was not 80 desirable after all
TEE SCHOOL COMMISSION.
Among the earliest OF the measures which tho reform
proposed the bill regarding the School Com
nissionsrs in this city. snguarly enough the bill
introduced by member who graduated in the public
school institutions OF New York, and Who with deepest
ngrattude turned the hand that had &c cred him.
Tho storm of indignation aroused by this swept
away before it had progressed very far in the stages
Of legislation The odum which attached to subsequent
commission bills derived much of its force from the
opposition which this measure suddenly created. II
put on their guard many who might have careessy
garded later matters and aroused suspicion that might
have otherwise lain dormant
That the government OF the Metropolitan district and
the administration OF It's public affairs needed legisating
upon vas the unanimous sentiment OF half dozen differ
ont Clques and c0eries But each had its PLAN In
the many for the attainment OF this laudable
purpose there generally private interest
ali the obstinate Of these individual
interests. The result Of Of Affairs the
TAs instant measure lost it's private Interest that mo
mont was taooosd e proper subject for legislation
aalA II not that kind Of measure. Had Is pos
seemed interest Of political character even 1t would
have ~ least excited debate and progressed through
couple Of readings perhaps Il Is illustration Of what
hes bsen observed above Il per se an odious
measure and again. had no political private features
% mitigate it Its fate With Legislative body such as
The ono which recently concluded It's session at Albany
vas soon decided.
TRx BoARD OF PUBLIC WORKS
Thatthere 10 areat deal In name, all know. This
measure was quietly and softly brought into being under
friends did not bunty blurt out their n.snon to create
commission that was 70 depose the elected officers OF
vyAa vail An
ponderous roll Of manuscripts which would
have listened 70 rsad much less read % i was con-
Egned 10 the printer and appeared the ne In
COMMITTEES Of the WHOLE and discussed and debated
at length Its friends, however grew frightened
the prospect which opened up their
vision. and deserted In sufficient numbers % kin IL Va
che original bill granted corporation
considerably curtailed in the committed Hence lost
its interest In that quarter Again. the fear Of imposing
too much legislation upon the city nj the effect
upon the balance OF power in the State, was vital con-
sderation. The last election had been successful by
only ton thousand votes-s small margin In q general
poll OF six hundred thousand IL would not do 10 swell
tina, terrible democratic majority o. The e o. further
which the Fire Department was pointed out as warn
ing instance, was becoming a serious matter There
sufficient obnoxious measures already. The Public
Works Commission went by the board.
GOVERNOR AMBITION
Meanwhile there throughout the session, after
the victory OF Roscoe Conklings adherents, deep
rooted animosty between the Governors friends and
The struggle then and since has developed piece Of
strategy the part OF the Executive which in turn
indicates his amOitous aims Naturally the candidate
question OF locality were adjusted. he opposed tooth
and na the election Of tonkling; but finding
his efforts aing, and that the chance OF succeeding
the Elk Governor was hopelossy gone no combined his
plans for a more exalted fight Those who In
teresed themselves in tho contest IN which Conkiing
on triumphant will understand why ho felt his
opportunity irrsrevably lost the choice Of that gen.
tleman.
Ihe sudden importance which Governor Fenton has
assumed in the politics OF the State Is one Of the striking
o
paratively unknown man. When he ran for Governor
fos the rst time in 1884 his own party was 50 dubious
about his election account q his obscurity that
many Of its members hero IN New York gave odds
in bets upon his defeat When tho returns came
In, after many days doubt 10 the result, his
party found 70 their surprise that he success
fuL He took advantage Of his exaltaton to obtain
political power, and confirm and consolidate II ~ time
passed. The prominent republicans Of the State were
inconsidsrable sswards conservatism removed Of
ssspsd ,ns leadership himself His rivals are power
lea Ex-Governor Morgan has died Of inanition. What
s %
Fsntoo has suddenly seen his opportunity and embraced
Hs would have been content WITH nesg.1 succss;
The nomination for the Vice Presidency In the campag
THE r,cHr or rnE FACTIONS
The struggle between the two parties TO the Senatorial
nomination dsgensraied into bitter faction Tight
.srins." whose Dsciacaiory onces frequently
ployed In producing harmony In matters not OF strictly
political character Al the SUBJECT OF pontics entered
any topic there was almost without exception rupture
and hence wall have been noticed few measures Of
strictly poical nature passed during The session
Tho coutsst while II thus generally entered political
matters invaded private legislation oftentimcs Is
question IL u addition 70 the lobby causes there
was not some OF this spirit work In the legsason on
ths Lower California bill, in which some prominent
politicians concerned ~
Il q singular fact thas the democratic members did
advantage Of this spIit tho ranks Of their
opponents weld the balance OF power The reason
lss In We mcdiocrity OF has portion Of the memoers
Ths democratic party never % poorly represented
~ had leaders worth mentioning. but wandered
about among il opponents without order Or comoisa-
uoa In
wHARvss AHp PIERS conxisssox
CONTEST was sadly without direction, and was divided
~ ~ votes when the bill reached final action So that
sns ncuon which opposed the measure lbocauss the
oend faction espoussd ~ succeeded In defeating u
vsuous calling in the democratic balance OF
Pow~ now skifuliy that power might have been
oa " sue democracy must be q source Of profound
regret 70 many who look hack AZ the contest and