The New York herald., 1870-01-03


OF nations and the obligations due from one to
the other--reviewing all these, there is sufli-
cient ground for believing that before the end
OF the term OF General Grants administration
the Mexican question" may force itself into
Importance, and, if its settlement should be
deferred, may form a prominent plank in the
platform Of the successful political party Of
1872.
The Now state Lsxslaturo--The Prospect.
The State Legislature Of 1870 will assemble
at Albany tomorrow. The responsibilities
resting upon that body are not unknown nor
uninteresting to the public. These response
bilities lie this year exclusively with the demo-
cratic party, who have handsome majority in
both houses, and will necessarily, to start
with, control the election of presiding officers
and the patronage which belongs to them, as
well as the appointment Of all the committees,
to whom every important measure Is to be
referred. Whatever radical changes In The
State government, or notifications or reforms
shall form part Of this winters legislation,
the democratic party must answer for. The
representative power of the party being
deposited in the Tammany Regency, the
heaviest burden Of duty, Of course, rests
with them. Their task is not an easy one.
Although the surface Of the stream may be
bright and sparkling enough, there are rocks
and shoals and dark places at the bottom,
eddies at the margin and whirlpools in the
channel 1t may be that more is expected of
the leaders by their own followers than they
can accomplish consistently with the preser-
walton Of harmony In the ranks, while it is
exceedingly doubtful whether, in the exercise
of suddenly acquired and almost despotic
power, they can satisfy the expectations of the
people throughout the State in the matter Of
those organic changes in State and local
government which they must propose In order
to be consistent with the antecedent history of
the party and the opposition in which it has
placed itself to the Albany commissions, the
management of the canals and the other
alleged grievous and expensive machinery of
government established by the republican
party.
Upon all these points it is probable chat the
policy of the majority is notye clearly defined.
There is more counsel needed before the pro-
gramme can be announced, if it is to be
announced at all; for, although we believe the
Governor has 30 far progressed with his mes
sage as to have placed it in the hands of the
printers, the consultation with the leaders Of
the party may result In some modification. We
have no doubt, however, that the Governors
document embodies the policy of the legis-
lative session conclusively upon all the impor-
tant questions which may come up for action,
not only as far as they concern State affairs,
but with view Of shaping the policy Of the
democratic party throughout the country for
the probabilities of future success, especially
in the Presidential contest of 1872.
The coming session Of the Legislature will
be an exciting ono in many ways. The first
excitement will be upon the election Of
Speaker of the House. Tammany has its man
scored for this place, and, withtts twenty votes
to start on in the caucus, may Be said to have
a good foundation. Fractious Kings county,
which is in rebellion against Tammany upon
this point, claims some rights for the active
young debater who represents the vitality Of
the Brooklyn delegation on the floor. The
country democratic members, so far as we
know, make no claim for the Speakership, and
will probably content themselves with secur-
ing the minor Offices of clerks, sergeants-at-
arms, and SO forth. As for the republicans,
they may take advantage of the little trouble
in the democratic camp to coalesce with the
anti -Tammany candidate but as that would be
very damaging to the prospects Of the shrewd
politician from Kings county, who is seeking
the nomination, it is hardly likely that such q
compromise would be accepted. The republi-
cans will, therefore, probably nominate for
mally Mr.. Selkreg, Of Tompkins, the defeated
candidate Of last session, and will give COM
plimentary nomination also to all tho republic
can officials Of that session.
There does not appear to be any contest in
prospect for the clerkship of the House. Arm
strong, the clerk Of 1868, and an Albany man,
is reported to have the course open to him.
But it is said that the country districts will
make fierce fight for the clerkship of the
Senate. Buffalo, Lockport, Troy and Schoha-
rie have candidates in the field against the
New York city aspirant, and if the country
members work the game well they may throw
New York out Of the ring after all.
The business season" will no doubt fairly
open to-day, as far as the preliminaries of
election for Office are concerned. While the
public have little interest in this portion of the
democratic family affairs, they will doubtless
look with considerable anxiety to the legisla-
tive proceedings, which are to decide the
future of our State and city governments, the
reduction or increase Of taxation. the better
security of peace and order, the just pun.
ishment of criminals and the economi-
cal management of our municipal affairs. All
these things come within the province of the
IaroOorotic TorioIotura IN u,hon, ha ,oorl,