New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1872-05-13
F0UR MONTHS OF LEGISLATION.

FOUR MONTHS Or LEGIoLAJION.
When the present session of the Legislature
began it was with the largest party majority
which had been enjoyed by any organization
in Joint convention, since 1887. 1t was strong
enough to override any GubernatOrial veto |;
and so it took upon itself grave responsibility
for the legislation of the whole session. Not
only so, but the Legislature was elected just
as q purifying blast of reform had swept over
the State The members came fresh from the
people, at least twO-thirds of the body be-
ing new to the work, but they brought with
them the inspirations of great popular up
rising and the enthusiasm of a great popular
victory We might be excused, therefore, If
we had high expectations of body of men OF
whom, whatever might be said of their new
ness. we could claim that they had been bap-
tied in reform, and cOnsecrated to special
work. The session begun Jan. 2, 1872, and
this is its Hath working day. 1t has been a
long session, and is likely to end during the
present week. Has it fulfilled the expeeta-
tons of the friends of ReformY
When the Legislature assembled, there was
general desire for prompt and vigorous
action upon various crying abuses. There
was trembling among rogues and rejoicing
among honest men. The people looked to see
the purity of the ballot-bOx better protected
Canal management reformed; the shameless
Erie Ring demolished and Erie legislation
wiped from the statute book; the impeachment
of our corrupt judges; Quarantine and other
Port abuses brought to a speedy end; the
State reapportoncd wisely and fairly on the
basis of the new cersus; the corrupt City
Government which Tammany politicians had
I foisted on New York, with its refuge of lies.
swept away, taking with it the scandalOus
iugglery of the courts Of this special juris-
diction. There were other crying needs.
more local, but not less important
and importunate. We needed provision for
quick, cheap transit in this city, an authorized
reorganization of the market system, relief for
detained and imprisoned witnesses in criminal
cases. and variety of reforms i'll criminal
courts, which require no enumeration now that
they are quite out of reach. TIE TRIBUNE
hoped and expected good things of the Legis-
lature. The first disappointment was its organ
ization, not in the interests of Reform. but of
a corrupt, willful, and selfish clique of pOlit
tieians. OF course, we could no longer take
any share of responsibility for the conduct
of a majority which had the Custom-hOuse
Ring substituted for that of Tammany, Mr..
Thomas Murphy only replacing Mr.. Tweed as
chief adviser. The case seemed hopeless when
Republican politicians, whose names were redo
lent with corruption and linked with ten thou
sand tricks took possession of the Legislature.
And it must be confessed that the results SO
far accomplished are not satisfying to those
who were rich in faith The Legislature has
evinced more timdity than earnestness. and
happy faculty for dallying with wrongdoing
rather than terrifying sternness toward evil
doors. After ALL the rogues who trembed at
the beginning were needlessly alarmed. The
conclusion of the whole matter is one for pro-
found regret, not for scolding or vitupera-
ton. The disappointment has been bitter and
general. Not until the wicked combination in
the Erie Railway Company had been broken
mp by brilliant coup, i'll which the Legisla-
ture had no part whatever, did it find courage
to grant the legislation demanded by common
honesty and justice. Reforms in our City Gov
eminent have been granted sparingly, and only
after much entreaty. Months were wasted
before even the mangled instrument OF
the Committee of Seventy was sent
TO the Governor and to-day, with the
doors already open for the exit of the Legis-
lature, we are still governed by the Tweed
Charter, and the hasty expedient of Senator
Palmer trembles in the Governors hands be-
tween life and death. Nothing has been done
to change the oppressive machinery of the
courts. so long run by a corrupt Oligarchy,
and, though one unjust Judge has been driven
from the bench by the power of public
opinion, the Legislature has taken hold of the
others in timOrOus and hesitating manner.
We have secured legislative consent to two
or three schemes for quick transit, though one
of the most deserving of all is yet hang
ing in the State House. Nothing effective has
been done to remedy abuses in Quarantine,
Port charges, Markets, Elections, the Courts,
and Canal Management. We have State
Apportionment which is worse than the old
one, and a Liquor law which contains
the odiOus provision of special elections.
1t would not be fair to say that these are all
that have been accomplished but, glancing
over the list of things which were expected
nay, demanded-those which have been at
tanned are pitifully few in comparison.
Let MS be just and honest with the Legisla-
ture. 1t began with good enough intentions,
but it early fell into bad hands and was easily
corrupted and demoralzed. II began with
splendid majority of Reformers-Democrats
and Republicans together but the Republ-
cans fell first when they were taken captive
by the CustOm-house cabal. The exposure OF
Mr.. Terwilliger's misdeeds excited small in
dignation, and the general languor in the
moral atmosphere which followed that affair
made the infamy of Senator James Wood,
the profitable tricks of Printing Committeeman
and Clerks. and vote-sellins generally, seem