New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1871-06-16
DEMOCRATIC LAWGIVING.
THE LATE LEGISLATURE

SUMMARY OF LEGISLATION AFFECTING THE
STATE AT LARGE-ABSTRACr OF LAWS RE-
LATINO TO THE CITY OF NEW-YORK-yETOEs.
The Governor of the State of New York oc-
cupies peculiarly laborous and responsible position
The Legislature Mt each OF Its yearly sessions passes
from to 500 bills which require the sanction the
Governor laws. How far the Governor ought
to be held responsible the character Of legislation
question which be easily answered In the par
tcuar Of Gov. Hoffman, 1t Is observable that the
most carefully cultivated part OF his Exceencys repu
taton is that which rests upon his exercise OK the veto
power The Legislature this year adjourned on Friday,
the 23d Of April yet until within day or two the Gov
was still celebrating whether to sign or not to sign
certain bills The business Of awmaking has never
before been projected far into the Summer 1t was
only last week that knew the fate OF an important
bill change the whole system Of repairing the canals
Not until last Wednesday did learn that the bill ex-
tending State aid 10 tho Midland and Adirondack Rail-
roads was not approved.
The Canal BILL introduced by Democrat and sup
ported by the entire body OF Democrats measure Of
reform, proposed radical change in the method
of maintaining the canals from the system
existing. which, during its year Of trial, has
turned beyond dispute to be expensive than
any ever followed before body OF 80 canal superin
tendents comparatively free from responsibility, and
most Of them professional politicians, might naturally
be expected to be extravagant and Inefficient II not
corrupt. Senator Hardenbergh. though a Democrat,
faults The real causes Of the Governors failure 10 sign
the bill do not yet appear; yet this much is manifest,
that Senators Hardenbergh Lord, and other influential
Democrats, whose leanings are antiTammany, do not
attempt conceal their disgust Tho action OF the Gov
ernor in this matter will certainly add to the burdens
which the Democratic party will carry INTO tho Fall cam
paign
The bill granting 81 COO ito the Midland and Adron-
dack Railroads also received ts strongest support from
the Democrats Moro Democrats than Republicans
voted for IT. Republicans than Democrats Vooeu
against It, Yet here again the Governor IL mghly co-
mended by the leading organs Of his party for actnS III
bold defiance OF the will OF his party as expressed
through It's representatives In the Legislature lho
strongest opposition the bill from members rep
resentine the western counties Of the State. They
wished An amendment to be inserted giving proportion
ate sum 70 the Buffalo and Washington Road, Inc run
ming from Buffalo southeastery, and connecting Win
the Pennsylvania roads. Had such an amendment oeeh
made the bill would have encountered little opposon
in either House. But truth, the State Treasury IN
poor condition part with s2OO0oOO as will presently
be shown.
Tho annual Appropriation, Supply Charity and "ord
nary" and extraordinary Canal repair bills, are the
measures which embrace the most Important items OF
the States expenditures These bills broadly considered
may be searched in vain for traces OF that rerench
ment reform which Democrats 40 unhestat1ngy lay
claim to when out Of power The State Tax will be less
this year than last but the deficiency OF 100000
which already existed at the date OF the Controllers
last report will be greatly increased by this false step
The Canals which two years ago netted the State O0
under the present system OF low tolls cannot be de-
pended to yield more than very small surplus
IT, indeed, a favorable balance can be shown
at all. The extraordinary Canal repair Dill
appropriates less this year than last but not so little
az should according to the results Of series OF years
before the Democratic party came into power The
charity and supply bills appropriate about the same
amounts az last year. without any approach to sys-
tem and little any regard for abstract justice the
charity bill makes of gifts to all hospitals, dis
pensaries and other institutions fortunate enough to
have a friend in either House. The appropriation for
sectarian schools embraced in this bill under the head
OF "Charity Weekday Schools" for whose benefit
$4,000 appropriated Almost all OF this goes to the
schools attached to Roman Catholic churches in the large
cities. The total amount appropriated by this bill Is
about 100000.
The gross amount for which the State Treasury liable
during current year is about s9OOoOo exclusive OF
last years canal deficiency, the Canal revenues being
chargeabc according to the Constitution with certain
clearly defined contributions toward the extngishment
Of the Canal and General Fund debts. The State tax
fixed by the late Legislature is but 485lOoO mills
dollar and will produce only about s2OoOoo 1t Is diff
cult to imagine how the financial position OF the State
can grow stronger under such regimen.
The bills general interest to the people OF the State
passed last Winter and Spring asonshngly few in
number. The most important nave Already Deen en-
toned The following sufficiently described by their
titles:
Chan H. Providing for additional compensation to
deputies, clerks, and assistants In the various depart
IS per cent all salaries OF 1880 or under % per cent
on all above 81 800 and less than $1,000 and 10 per cent
all above $1,000
Chap H. To punish mortgagors OF personal property
who shall fraudently sell property thus mortgaged
Chap. 29. Providing redress for words imputlng I'M
chastity to afemale The mere imputatlon or unehas-
titv tn
made actionabe. The bill was introduced by senator
Chap $50 Relating to acrobatic exhibitions. Directs
the spreading of network &c. for the security OF Ira
Chap &C., Authorizing judicial inquiry into the sanity
of persons convicted OF capital ofenses o,,
Chap $685. Repeating section chap 6S2, Laws OF 1857
authorizing the Whitehall and Plattsburg Railroad to
take increased fare and establish ferry rms was Ine
the price he received for supporting Mr. Tweeds
measures after Weeds open break with Tannany, and
Irving's cruel blow.
Chap 7l2 In relation the election Of Representa-
tves In Congress, Senators, and Members OF Assembly
Provides for separate baloboxes for these oces apart
from the State cket-a Tammany measure 10 aclltate
the election of Democratic Legislature or at least oil
Democratic Senate. this Autumn. -, ~ ...o
Chap 1858. Rewarding inventors who shall apply Otner
than animal power to the propulsion of boats on ne
ment half of which sum is payable only when the nyen-
ton comes into practical use.
Chap 93i. In relation TO apprentices ana employers
This law was fully discussed in The TRIBUNE d le"
LAWS AFFECTING NETWORK CITY.
II the acts of the Legislature affecting the people OF
the State are few and insignificant the reverse may be
said the laws passed touching the City and County OF
NewYork These laws have been collected together by
the City Government and will I'LL two thick octave vol
umes Volume l is already issued and contains i2l
pages exclusive of the index and table of contents,
which fill 100 pages Document No. Of the Board
OF Aldermen ought in the hands Of every ono who
may be DESTROYS understanding the machinery of our
City Government. The more important OF these meas
ures have already been dwelt on at largo by THE
TRIBUNE and other city journals and list OF titles will
serve to recall the substance OF them, without that
tended comment which would be desirable If space per-