The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1870-12-07
Tho Approaching Session or Our State
Lcgislafure--A Chance for Governor II on.

| AS the perlOu nppr0acneS Tor the annual
assembling Of the "congregated wisdom" Of
tho STATE at Albany, speculation becomes rife
in regard to what may or may not be done
during the session.
The political character of the body may be
set down as democratic, although an exceed
ingly meagre majority can be claimed by that
party. Giving the Senatorial vacancy occa-
stoned by the death of Senator Blood to the
republicans, a tie may be found in the Senate,
but the casting vote being in the hands OF the
presiding officer (the democratic Lieutenant
Governcr) 1t Is safe to assume that all promi-
nent measures will be decided in favor Of the
democrats. The House. with perhaps onl y
one majority, may be counted upon as sure to
''stick" to the democracy without fear Of
| combinations hostile to Tammany In the
shape of boiling young democrats, or shay
NOW and cheesepress" dem oc-ats, or sshuck-
leberry" democrats, or any other kind Of
democrats the financial interests Of men,
bers may have given birth to at tho last
session. AS leading republican in this city
remarked the other day, when the conversa-
ton turned upon the clos,ncss Of party lines
in the ensuing Legi slature, 80 much the bet
ter; there will be 80 many the less repub-
lcans for the democrats to buy up"
TIL, Legislature, being thus assured to the
democrats, with democrats occupying the Ex-
ccutive aad other departments OF the State
government, with srony probability that all
tho principal Offices ia both houses will be
again filed by the old incum5cn.s, from the
Speake,ship down, thus securing the most i'm
portant committees to the democrats, the de-
mocracy must DO held responsible for the proper
administration of our State goyernm ant the
coming year.
And now, with the State power and tho
municipal power Of the metropolis In the
hands of the democrats, it will be curious and
themselves--above all, to observe what
course the managers OF the dominant
party will adopt, with al eye toward the
great Pr sidential campaign in 1872 Cover
nor Hoffman will take the initiative by OPEN
Ing the ball in his annual message. That he
will present satisfactory exhibit of the affairs
of the State and Of the transactions of bis
administration there IL no doubt But there
are other considerations which will probably
have weight with bis Excelleacy in maxin, his
compliments to the people on thu coming New
Years Day. He is the most prominent candi-
date for tho democratic nomination for Presi-
dent yet named in this State. All great men
Of the party, the Tammany r .gency, the Tam
many sachems, the Tammany Young Mems
General Committee, and all other democratic
organizations, big and little, those that may
have passed out of existence the past
year or which may be in fall operation
for the coming year-all, with but few excep-
tions, have expressed Oh open and decided
preference for Governor Hoffman rs the
national democratic standard bearer in the
next Presidential contest Hence the
Governor may step little way out Of the
usual track in his forthcoming message and
enlarge upon Il ltt.ers OF m51c cn5I ii ;.ore.
than mere local topics and which are barely
touched upon in the usual annual addresses of
State Executives. lie may astonish some
democrats by taking strong grounds in favor
Of the fourteenth and fifteenth amendments,
have accorded to Them the rights guaranteed
by those amendments. He may have some
thing to say in relation to the administration of
General Grant. He may endeavor to show its
irresolution In such matters as the Alabama
claims, the recognition Of the indspend 3nce of
Cuba, as we'll as its shortcomings and fast
going, in other respects, as will inspire the
democratic hosts all over the land with strong
hopes for triumphant success in 1872. He
may talk in o patriotic strain about the
intrusion Of federal bayonets and federal
hireings OF our local elections. He may
explain away charges Of corruption pre-
ferred against the democratic management of
the party In this State that will help the cause
among pious people and others who disconn-
tenance anything but purity and integrity in
conducting public affairs. He will, in brief
have fine opportunity of ripping up some of
cratic platforms and of supplying their places
with good, sound timber, we'll impre gnate
with the preservative-or, il we may SO
express it, the 'carbolic acid"-qnalities
of practical and progressive doctrines-doc-
trnes suitable to the times and the grow
ing magnitude of the American republic.
Here is the opportunity for Governor Hoff-
man to show his hand. As the head of the
democratic party he will be held responsible
for all corrupt Legislation unless he interposes
his veto. He must look out for the schemes
of the railroad monopolists. He must take
manly stand against all sorts of jobs. He
must assume an elevated and statesman
like position upon oil public measures;
and while he infuses confidence into
the ranks of his own friends the re-
publicans may learn that unless they bestir
themselves right smartly" they may, with