New-York tribune., 1869-03-15

THIEVES ON THE TREAsURY-THE LAST JOB
OF THE TAMmANY CHIEFs-THE CoNSrlIo-
TIONAL AMENDMENT
ArR,Ny. March 14.-There was not quorum IN
the Assembly yesterday morning yet the members
present transacted considerable business ana sem
hills TO the engrossing clerk with more than usnaI
rapidty 1t is due to this Legislature to say that IL
has advanced business faster than the two last Doules
which met here The time lost in the Senatorial con-
test and in the two February adjOurnments mas Deeh
made up since the members came back.
The bill granting State aid to railroads has been
through Committee Of the Whole, but ITS irSt Sec
tion has not been approved yet This bill is known
"a tbe a 600 mile project Every railroad contem-
Mated or projected in the State is to get $1,000 pei
mile. There are 955 miles of road which will claim
the benefits of this bill if it becomes law By the
provisions of this measure $l,S0OOW IS to be gwen
away this year, and the same amour,
next year. This sum 10 DO ul'lueu
aro rata among the roads asking for IT, 1hemeasure
was champiOned by ex-senator truman, Juoso
CamnbeIl. Mr.. Lyons of Orange and Mr. Hitchman
of New-York. The first two gentlemen asserted tha'
the State would make money by giving this appro-
priation. The taxable property would be increased
five times the amount expended, as the bill species
that no road running parallel within IL miles Oh
another road shall be entitled to its ratio MI DAVIS
Of Orange moved TO amend so that the restrictions
shall not apply to any railroad running through
Orange County Mr.. Hustled of Westchester earnestly
urged this amendment and all other amendments
because they woud defeat the bill. Without taking
a vote ON the amendment the bill was progressed.
AS there are so many railroads projected throughout
the State and as each member is anxious 10 take
care of his pet project there is some chance ior ts
hill passing Ever since the bill has been on he IL
as been reported around the hall that the Governor
II. Ill &C ha AZ l "
with the understanding that it is to be passed
notwithstanding his objection. Your correspondent
does not believe the Governor has made any such
bargain but he does believe that the Governor VIII
veto it. and his objections will be sustained by every
Democrat in both Houses The leaders of that party,
such as Judge Allen, Senator Tweed, and Others are
dead set against this kind Of legislation not because
the principle is wrong but because the burdens OK
the people of this State are heavy enough, and u
would not be wise in the Democratic party to increase
them Aside from the principle involved, the RepuD-
lcan members of the Legislature might as well un-
derstand that if they pass this bill they Will oe
| trapped Gov. Hoffman will never approve 1t, ana
we shall see in every Democratic sheet assertions
that the Republicans prohigate and spending the
peoples money by millions. land that the watch
| dog of the Treasury is a Democratic Executive.
Albany has been infested this year with as large
| n set of punderers commonly called canal thieves,
as has been seen here for many years. They are not
only brought here by the two Canal bills but BY tho
| large number of private claims now before D0th
Houses, and especially the Assembly. Day after day
We have reports from the Claim Committee OF tho
latter body giving damages to parties living along
the lines of the canals, for reason OF the Other
until the General orders fairly loaded down with
| them There may be dozen legitimate claims, but
the Legislature should quickly and circumspecty sift
av,1 hon hNnal la "A
others. and throw them in the stove. Most Of them
are brought here By swiDdlers, and urged by men
thoroughly accomplished in all the mysteries OF
secret legislation 1t is possible the Committee may
in many instances be deceived because there are men
ON IL who are above suspicion. The only way TO save
the State Treasurys for the Committee to get seven
! eiqhths of these bills referred back, and then
smother them and for Messrs. Gleason, Selkreg, Oh
some other experienced member to insist that they
be sent there One of these claims up yesterday.
and Messrs Gleason and Selkreg made such fierce
onslaught on it, that the Chairman of the Committee
determined not to press it.
The debate on the Constitutional Amendment viii
take place on Wednesday and it is to be hoped tho
| Assembly will finish II on that day The Democmtc
and Republican leaders have agreed to discuss 1t
thoroughly and harmonOusy, and the speakers on
| each side are to be limited. Mr. Hustled of West
chester VIII leau OF on Tue hepuDIlCih s'uo' al" "t
be followed by Judge Campbell who will answer all
the legal objections. j. Bancroft Davis. Mr. Gleason
Of ST. Lawrence and Mr.. Sellireg will close the de-
bate The speakers on the Democratic side will be
Mr. Jacobs of Kings Judge Miller Of Seneca, Messrs.
Bergen and Hitchman of New-York, and one or two
Others 1t is said that at least one of the New-Yorll
Democratic delegation will vote for the Amendment.
The Democrats have not held caucus on the subject
yet.
The Tammany politicians have presented this year
their bill introduced the latter part Of the session OF
1868 giving the control Of the wharves and piers of
NewYork TO the Commissioners of the Sinking Fund.
They are to have absolute power over this property;
tearing down and building up and in fact doing
what they please with it. OF course il will be
pushed but this year the hopes of the Republican
party should be centered in the Assembly, for the
| Senate can scarcely be trusted