The New York herald., 1870-01-16
THE STATE CAPITAL.
Preparing for the Battle---The New
Model Of City Government.
Tactics Of Tammany-The Wigwam ON
Trial-Contested decentralization
Protection for COnyicts-A Case In
Sing Slng-Insurance Compa-
nies' PrOflts-Active Ope.
rations In Prospect.

CAnk SInS-lnSurouCc CVmP0-
nies' PrOflts-Active Ope-
rations In Prospect.
ALBANY, Jan. Is, 1870.
n must not be supposed that because the Legisla-
ture 10 enjoying recess the members are indulging
their otsuna c,sns ds0nitate Not at all. They are
buar a. 30 many bees--both here ana at their
hOnes-on reports resolutions petitions and bills.
Wnen the Assembly convenes on Wednesday morn.
ing we may expect to see the noodgates opened and
perfect torrent OF anticipating legislation poured
IN upon the House. Tne House will no doubt be
ready for II. Much OF 1t will probably
fall stilborn and VIII never 60 beyond the
reference to committees; but there is much
important matter, forming the component part
OF the programme, upon wtich the legislature viii
start vigorously to act The present recess has
afforded . convenient opportunity TO put many
things In shape which were somewhat inchoate.
THE NEW MODEL or OUR CITY GOVERNMENT,
for example, about which there are good many
points yet to be settled between the democratic
leaders and upon which that unity of opinion essential
to the well being and future inauence OF the party
must be obtained. There have been exaggerated
ssoTies tncirculaaaon concerning symptoms of dis
Affection IN the Tammany organization arising out
wfthe proposed plan OF appointments under the new
order Of things IN our city government and 1t Is
said that brace OF city Senators were among the
'disalected In fact that they were rampant IN their
opposition, and were disposed to rebel at once
against their good mother, Tammany. Well, the
same thing was said as we remember, in the matter
OF the Speakership. 1t was predicted that the coun
try districts were up In arms against TammanY ana
shat they would ally themselves In fierce array
AGAINST the New York candidate fathered by Tam
svAor hxlft tuo off fhoev knn~ ar
ceuntrysnembers fell into the arms OF Tammany,
tenderly subdued as 1t were, and soporiforsed by
mother Tammanys soothing syrup. And 80, be-.
Neve me 1t will be with tho predicted opposition
when our municipal affairs come to be moulded and
east 1or the future government or the CITY, is not
to be supposed that everything good IN the present
system OF Metropolitan government will be sacri-
feed to the spirit Of revolution This would be q
dangerous exercise OF power which the wise heads
OF Tammany would shrink from. judicious use
Ofsauthorty, not an indiscreet despotsm, Is what
the people will demand OF the majority, ana IT is
derstood that the leaders have pledged themselves
not only to their own supporters and delegates in
: the CITY, but TO the democratic representatives
throughout the Statc-that moderation shall rule oil
their actions.
TAMMANY ON TRIAL.
The course Of legislation will test their sincerity.
As 1t advances day by day they must consider them
selves on trial; but with such magnificent opportu-
mites why should they dlsappoint the expectations
OF the people? In these opportunities their strength
les and we have no reason to suppose, judging from
the previous sagacity which has made itself so
prominent IN all the actions OF the Tammany lead
crs, that the chances to control the democratic
forces in the State and guide them towards some
end on grander scale in the future will fail.
CONTESTED ELECTIONS.
There are four seats in the Legislature contested,
all OF which are now before the Committee OF Prlvt-
OF Rockland, is chairman-a gentleman Of honest
purpose and unbemished reputation, kind and sim
feet high ana presenting face not devoid OF beauty
ana beaming with good nature. None OF our city
members seats are in jeopardy this session. as they
were last year. The seats contested are those Of
w. D. Murphy. OF Albany, who was elected by ma
torlty OF eighteen votes, the contestants being
there was some inlormanty between the origl.
nal returns and the copies made IN the
is to 20 before the committee, It is said, Wi
prove that nve fraudulent votes were cast for MS
T m gea s o
d. Lawrence. OF Westchsster, who sat for that
county last year. is disputed by Howard G. Cady the
details Of which have already informed you OF.
Our fat friend, Jones, OF Brooklyn, the biggest
in the House. whose stentorian voice might with
In awe OF q protest entered by W. w. Goodrch-too
good perhaps and certainly TOO rich to be demo-
Grat, Gooaricas M case Is nnder lnVessgaIion ~, IN
our legislative committee here. Jones looks as
though ne could stand all the batteringsrams and
CatapultS which his enemies can bring to bear
against him. The seat OF J. Thompson Davis,
republican, from Rensselaer, county, which he now
occupies Is contested by the democratic candidate,
F. s. Fairchd. In the absence ofany Greeks to fight
with them two noble 1rOjans are pltted against
each other Z. N. Thomas, Of Wayne county, de.
mands the seat now comfortably occupied py Anson
Wood. These are the only pl aces in the Assembly
chamber which the committee Will have to take
action upon John Decker OF Richmond county, Is
second on the committee and, no DOUBT the ex-
purieDce which he had last year when his own seat
session to within ten days Of It's eXpratlon-and he
had to withdraw then IN favor OF Hawkins-wil give
mittee 70 which he is valuable auxiliary .Honest
John" will not be vndlctive IN dealing with these
questions but ms sensbllliles will no doubt DC
and faisehood as they come nand-in-nand, before
RELIGIOUS BIGoTRY, OR WHAT, IN STATE PRIsoNs'
Mr.. James w. Husted's bill to establish system
Of religious freedom for the cOnvctS IN the State
prisons has meaning which does not probably ap-
supposed that the unfortunate convicts IN our State
prisons enjoyed the same religious equality as all
those who live under the constitution and laws OF
the State enjoy outside OF the prison walls They
did not know that conviction OF felony, while it de.
from the consultations OF religion IN the hours OF ex
treme sickness or approaching death. The expe'
q n @ mse
has shown him the necessity or just sucn
bill a. he has introduced. 1t appears that
. dying convict in Sing Sing was visited by
we'll known and most exemplary Catholic clergyman
OF New York, who probably in the earlier and better
days Of the c0nvics life knew and mlnisIered to the
unfortunate. 1t was necessary, need hardly say,
that In order to administer the last rites Of extreme
JUNCTION and the holy sacrament, the priest and the
pentent should be alone for few moments in order
TO hear the confession OF the dying man. That brief
privacy 1t seems was denied by the warden, on the
plea that the discipline OF the prison forbade any
TO hold communication with convict except IN the
presence Of officer oil the prison. II this be the
inexorable rule, then Mr.. Husteds bill does not
come an hour too soon and he IL entitled to the
credit OF the Christian community Ior his endeavor
10 cut In twain the red tape which, under prison
rules not only holds the body OF the wretcned con.
Wet IN bondage, but binds down his soul, IN eI-
LealS
INSURANCE. COMPANIES AND THE FIRE DEPARTMENT.
An excellent measure with reference to the proper