The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-02-02

ALBANY, Feb !, 1872.
One month Of the legislative session has passed
and YET all those wonderful reforms which the PEG.
pie OF the State, ana especially OF the CITY OF New
York were led to expect would speedily follow the
opening OF the Legislature, still remain unborn.
True several preliminary attempts at probing
have been tried, but the probe has only
been pointed at the sores and then allowed
70 fall; true, indeed, the Grand Jury bill
was passed to overcome deadlock In the criminal
Courts and botched.up bill to allow the poor
people OF the city get what may be due them from
the city and county; uue again. a sort Of
provision has been passed by the Assembly
to allow future reformers to fasJen responsi.
b1Ilty on any Official who may be guilty Of fraud
Or wrOngdoIng IN on1ce; but, beyond these, there
has been nothing done TO forward that much needed
reform for which the people cried aloud at the last
election The time mas been FILTERED away on small
and generally unimportant local matters, and by
the efforts Of
EMBRYO CICEROs
and emulators OF Demosthenes each one endeavOr
ing 70 show the people Of the State that they have
ana rhetorical abilities would throw Webster, Clay,
Calhoun, Pitt, Burke, Curran, "or any other man"
far in the shade Unless these ambitious legislators
and orators learn sense very speedily the session
win be dragged out far into spring, or little
be done to satisfy the people on the
question OF reformation in the various departments
OF the government. Among the many reforms,
however, which seem to be particularly looked for
10 In the
COMMISSIONERS OF EMIGRATION.
Already there are two bills here looking TO
speedy reformation in that department. and the
matter Ia being urged with much force. Many OF
the people hereabous are somewhat astonlshed that
the Corporation Counsel, Mr. O'Gcrman, did not
know there any idea OF legslating his Board Of
Commissioners out OF Office until a HERALD re-
porter went to interview him on the subject. Per-
haps he was TOO much occupied in suing the mem.
beers of the "Ring''o on behalf OF that non-ncorpor
ated corporation, the Board OF Supervisors
10 road the HERALD, in which ne could
have found some two or three weeks
ngO, In the correspondence from this place,
that bill had been introduced by Mr.. Mackay to
legisate this-as 1t Is called-'fearrul fraud OF a
Board" That the bill VIII pass there can be no
doubt and the idea is to put good men there to
look after The interests OF the emgrants and thus
give the national government no reason to interfere
with the emigration to the port OF New York, as Is
now being talked OF.
also seems 10 ne REGARDED as proper place lot
speedy and profitable reform. The figures published
IN letter from thls place IN relation to the charges
United by the police magistrates have created con-
siderable comment, and the manifest injustice or
the charge will no DOUBT induce the speedy passage
People VINO hereafter happen despite themselves
TO witness the preparation or murder or the COM
mission OF felony will have good reason to be
thankful for the action taken to-day by the Senaie
In passing Mr.. Woodin's bill in relation to
child for that matter, who mas ever mad the m'sfor-
tune to be looked upon ~ the authorities Ia New
and for whom the District Attorney, In
THE BxRRoIsE OF 4 WISE" DISCRETION.
craze nom their memories the weary weeks,
pnd may be months, they mad TO
taOle nest Of comfort known as the House Of Delen
ton.
How many persons are there pot who, even dur.
ang the past year. have been under lock aud Key at
thls delectable blouse" for months simply because
they happened to see some one else commit 9
sss often wSe the scsunarel who Commits
some horrd crime is allowed to enjoy entire free.
iai the Door sss eow whose testmony Is deemed Of
importance land VINO has no influential friend or
CORNER eROGsHOP KEEPERS
among his familiar acquaintances, is made TO
compelled to partake OF prison fare and undergo
might. In years past those who have the very best
right TO complain OF their bitter expert
strenuous efforts to have this obnoxious feature OF
che nav Of the land" changed; but their every en-
deavor failed to get strapgled in the LeGsla.
ture by means which great many wealthy
LOBBYISTS and dishonest legislators, once poor
in pocket, best understand. list OF The
detention outrage-for It never was anything else
would, doubtless, make quite volume; and
held In aurance vile eVeI BY tDis PRECIOUS
system would tell all he or they knew about
OF his or her needless imprisonment. and what was
said and heard and done within the walls OF tie
House Of Detention, the volume would create SEN
sau0n OF most decided character. But hap
week II the Lower House taxes hold OF the question
IN m
wrong and act as promptly in arordine the means
BY which tho wrong can be zone away with, as the
sense Of justice aud right should have made the
Legislature do last year, when the same question
person shall be held or detained as witness in any
criminal case for longer period than fourteen
days from ne o. me Term o. Inc
testify An amendment made to 1t after 1t had
Deen reported by the judiciary Committee
strengthens the hands of the prosecuting Officers
by providing that
THE WITNESS SHALL NOT BE HELD
iouger than fourteen days from the commence
mcnt of tile term unless the trial OF the case shall
ne In actual progress at said term OF said Court ut
the expiration VI said fourteen days IN which case
any witness may he held until he mall nave been
examined or said trial concluded" 1t Is further
provided that II the trial OF criminal case be post.
pOned beyond the fourteen days referred TO, either
the motion OF the counsel for the people or OF the
accused, II shall be postponed, but only upon their
aon thai Inc testouy Of ~ Inc witness or witnesses
held or detained be taken 'witnn two days there.
after de bene esse, as In civil cases,
IN THE PRESENCE OF THE ACCUSED PARTY
Or parties, before any criminal magistrate, or before
any Justice Of the supreme Court sitting at cham
bers." Iais further provided that this testimony
may be read the trial OF the case, and that the
deposition or dispositions OF any witness so taken
es ana swrn 70 by such or
or Justice before whom the same shall have been
saken. Tnis once accomplished, the testimony may
De read up0n the trial OF the case ''by and be-
Dali OF the people OF the accused with ike erect
~ ii the same mad been reierred to BY the witness
WITNESSES IN OPEN COURT
npvn I seld Trial, subject, however, TO any and all
eksl Exceptions thereto, as tf the same had been
gwen 10 open Court and as TO admissibility a. EVIL
doncep Certainly Mr.. Woodin deserves credit for