New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1873-04-28
THE WoRK or THE LEGISLATURE.

THE YORK or THE LEGISLATURE
On tho day when the New York City Char-
ter finally passed-April 1G-the Legislature
reached its limit of one hundred days. IL mas
accordingly, been serving without pay for
these ten working days past. The question OIL
adjournment, however, is not yet determined,
a proposition to adjourn on the LIST of May hay
ing been discussed in the Senate without ac-
ton. The Legislature met on the 9TH of January
and was organized in what is known as the
Custom house interest Of the Republican party.
Both houses had an overwhelming Admins
tration majority. In tho Senate, putting
Liberals and Democrats together, the party
majority was 10; in tho Assembly the vote
was Of to 81, and the changes which have
since taken place have not materially changed
these figures. Carrying out tho partisan pro-
gramme, Mr.. Cornell, who had resigned the
Surveyorship of this port for tho purpose,
was chosen Speaker of tho Assembly, and the
Committees of both branches were organized
in consOnance with that policy.
The real work of the session did not begin
until the middle Of February. Casting re-
prospective glance over the doings of the
Legislature, it seems easier to find what is
yet incomplete than that which has added any
thing of Importance to the statute-book.
This Legislature was chosen on the
special issue of Reform; it has not
fulfilled any promise whatever; GER
tanly, it has not in the direction of special
industry. In respect to doing work promptly
and well, the present is probably neither bet
ter nor worse than any of its immediate pre-
decessors. 1t has accomplished much that
does not appear on any conspicuous record;
the mass of its legislation may be classed as
special the bills finally passed are numerous
enough, but they are unlmportant to the
general public The work of providing
new Charter for this City has monopolized so
much of the time and thought that members
have had little opportunity for the consider
alton of other measures, except, as we have
said, the small requests of corporations and
petty local interests. There have been two
important Investigations ordered; one of these
was the Senate Inquiry into the alleged cor
ruption Of sundry Senators by Wm NJ. Tweed,
in 1870; and the other was the Enc Inquiry
ordered by the Assembly. No report has yet
been made by either of these. TWAS expected that
some decided action would be taken on the
repeal of the usury laws and the bond and
mortgage tax. The Senate has passed bill
modifying the existing usury law, but not
materially changing its principle. The at
tempt to repeal the tax on bonds and mort
cages failed. 1t was also thought that some
changes would be made in the jury
laws; but bill substituting the de-
ciSiOn Of the judge for that of the triers in
determining the competency of jurors was lost.
The canal question has received considerable
attention. but without much accomplished re-
suit. There is a disposition to retrench ex-
penses IN this direction, the sum for repairs
being generally considered informally fixed at
$4,000, which is q large deduction from the
appropriation of last year. An attempt to in
crease the tolls failed and the reduced rate is
still in force. There has been a great deal of
discussion of the best means to equalize the
assessment and collection of taxes, but only
langud interest in the subject has been ex-
hibted in the Legislature, and nothing is like
ly to be done.
The City of New-York has, as usual, en-
crossed much of the attention of the Legisla-
turo its vast interests being helpless in the
hands of members of the two Houses and the
lobby. The bill to reorganize the Police JUS
tees Courts yet hangs in the Senate, the
Assembly having taken the confirmation of
the Mayors nominations from the Judges to
tho Aldermen. Rapid Transit has received
some consideration, the Beach Pneumatic bill
having finally passed. and the Gilbert Ele
waited Road being fully perfected. AN i'm
portant bill relating to immigration has
become law. 1t reduces the term for which
destitute immigrants are supported by the
State, increases head money from 81 so to
81 So and adds to the number of State
Agents.
The work remaining to be done is sufficiently
indicated by what we have already said. The
number of pending important measures is
quite large. Legislation in regard to the
canals ought to press on the attention of the
Legislature. The counties affected by action
or nOn-action ale clamorous and uneasy yet
nothing conclusive has been done. We must
suppose that it is too late to expect anything
toward an adjustment of taxation, or an
amelloraton of the usury laws. There are
numberless small lnsidious bills yet lurking
about the cOmmittce-rOoms and Hobbies, of
which honest members have need to beware.
In the hurry and confusion of the last days of
the session, many small stealings will try to
get through. The appropriation bills have,
however, been, 80 far, well guarded. Other
wise, the session, so far, has been almost bar
rem of good results.
HEDTC1T EVJnENTE