The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-02-04
The Screaming Farce of the Erie
Petitions.

ALBANY, Feb g. 1872.
The fact that this is "reform Legislature" is so
often alluded 10 by various members OF the Assem-
bly, It must be apparent TO all that, without this
srequent reminder, 1t ID safe to presume the
'.reform" business would be entirely overlooked.
The worthy legislators would seem 10 appreciate
the truth OF the Idea that reform borders on
revolution and in their anxiety for peace at
any price they keep as far as possible from
revolution, and consequently AT quite distance
from reform But Mr.. Prince, of Queens county,
" iul Of reform for the Assembly, and to-
day very truthfully declared that reform should
begin with legislation ITSELF and to demonstrate
that he delivered narangue which, for length,
strength and style, would put Sunday school
marm's admonirlonal lecture or Madame Caudles
impressive curtained advice far In the shade.
1t was such IN admirable effort thai Old Sal. ,xoro
suggested that 1Oo 600 copies Of the speech ueroati
should be printed ana scattered broadcast over the
entire country. The Prince wanted to have his
committee directed by the House 10 ascertain what
REFORM IN THE LEGISLATION
were needed, ana to report by D or otherwise their
proposed remedy for existing evils. MIR. Prince, 1t
Will be remembered, announced himself as candi-
date for Speaker; but as he was supposed feed on
perfumed lozenges, 1t was feared he might be too
sweet q talker, and he most disinterestedly with.
drew 80 as not to obstruct Mr.. Smiths road, ana
10 his evident establishment found himself placed
Ut the head OF the Judiciary Committee. This is the
committee to winch Is referred all the most i'm
portant statutes ana matters involving tech.
nicalities which might be supposed to re-
Yuire clear neads, Keen perception and
legal experience. In all these qualities
the Committee OF the House is sadly lacking. The
selection OF members Tor this committee. with one
or two exceptions, mas proved most unfortunate
Prince, the Chairman, is more fitted to be simply
class leader IN some Methodist Sunday school than
head OF such an important committee. He lacks
the dignity OF presence the force OF character the
executive ability and the clearness OF intellect
which should be possessed by leader Of the leading
law branch OF a "Reform" ~ Legislature. He
has associated with him MIR. Strahan, OF Granger
Niles, OF westchester; Flammer OF New York; Hayes.
of Oneida; vedder, Of Cattaraugus; Tobey, OF
Essex; Tlden, OF New York. and HUI, OF Chemung
With the exception OF Niles, Tobey and veoder
none Of these seem to have even a mediocre share
OF the qualifications above referred to- Strahan Is
too much a SHADOW OF his cousin, who runs Comp.
troer Green, 10 acquire Individuality enough to be
fOrclble IN himself. Flammer Is more Of q school.
boy even than Prince, and whoi thinks he makes
sacrifice enough In coming here four days In a week
70 take care Of the public. Everybody knows I'll.
den, but
and has only been mere three days since the session
commenced, aud even then he lodged every vote
may be waiting to accompany Tweed ITO this God
fearing place. Ii not, he should resign and al
could and would represent them. hill viii grow
IN strength and wisdom as he grows In years. He
evidently has foundation for good lawyer, but his
upper structure Is yet too frai TO withstand any
lacks He Will be Obliged TO "anchor" the side
walls OF his mind and temper before ne can expect
TO couHteract any storms OF opposition Hayes Is
light but not yet shining light by any means.
1Obev rs pretty clear-headed, out he Is a very big
young man and allows The Attorney GeneraI-who
wants to be King OF the Stae-to run HIM too much
Nile. Is sharp but he Is too FOND OF hearing him
Is the only one who has SAID but little and yet
shown himself 10 be clear and 'sJId,o and he Will
undoubtedly make his marx before the session
closes.
Such, in brief is the committee which acts as
Grand Jury on behalf Of the greatest power man
eau exercise over man-the power OF leglslation-a
Grand Jury OF tue entire Commonwealth 10 investi.
gate the character and olcla acts of Judges oil the
Supreme Court OF the State-tne committee to |
whom all sorts OF inuuisitoria powers granted,
and to which the Attorney General now applies Tor
sanction To his outrageousy ambitious Idea OF ou
tanning power by process Of law TO place him above
grand ''lnqulstor Generai' against any corpora
uon whose private business he may desire to ques
lion.
Fortunate people Of New York in having such an
Assembly OF reiormersl Fortunate Assembly In
having such a committee, such Jury, or
EXTRA 'REPoRMERsn
But these gallant reiormers are saving money to
sne Stae. VI course they are saving money IN one
Numerous Investigations are to DC ma lie IN the in-
terest OF REFORM" and they VIII undoubtedly run
and Elections is in New York on the KHAN.
trear case; the Committee on Insurance 90 TO
New YORK 10 spenu money for the state in an
attempt to settle personal race between Tnurlow
Weeds relative -Mr. Barns-and Insurance super.
lniendcnt Miller. Then the precious Judiciary
Committee have commissions 10 proceed TO New
York to investigate the conduct Of Supreme Court
Judges, aud the business In the Registers, Sheris
ana County Clerks offices. Then the Committee
on Commerce ana Navigation are 10 60 to New
York and examine into the affairs OF the Pacific
a steamship be COMPANY nm and the Quarantine
run up some snug little bills, but they will be In the
interest oil reform.
THE CANAL RING
have actively commenced operations, and already
their little" q Jobs are being pushed forward.
The claims are coming In thick and last but are SO
are given the work OF Introducing the bills, ana
Shen they are neatly managed so tnat they 20 here
and there, some 10 Canals, some to Commerce and
Navigation, some to Claims, some TO Ways ana
Means, some to any other place that may SUIT the
powerful combination that Is now getting sure hold
on the Legislature. Then, again,
THE RAILROAD COMBINATION
Will soon get TO work, and the grand effort will
be made 20 run up the fares on all the roads. Those
petitions against legislative interference with the
management OF the Erie Railway still continue 10
pour IN on the Legislature. and to-day they came
IRON all quarters. The Erie people themselves have
not yet put IN appearance, hut they expected
here the coming week. On Tuesday they are TO
appear before the Assembly Committee on Rail-
roads on Wednesday before the Senate Committee
and on Friday the Grand Jury OF debators the
judiciary Committee OF the Assembly-are 10
give a hearing morning ana afternoon on
Attorney General Bariows bill. Some OF the
legislators claim that the petitions cameron their
constituencies. with good names on them. and.
although mot yet committed" toiendorse the peti-
fI0Ls, they must present them. IL grows daily
more evident That the temper OF the Legislature Is
such thai 10 VIII not interfere at all with the present
Erie manage ment' ana many seem 70 Go, Goncene lnaI
Zee last week. spoke the truth hen he said that the
people cared nothing Tor squaDbies between stock.
holders, provided the corporation gave the people
ID accommodation