The New York herald., 1874-11-20
THE LEGISLATURE.
A Candidate for the Speakership Of the
Assembly Interviewed.
THE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS.
What Effect They Will Have on Legiala-
tion-A Blow to Lobbying.

VINO has been prominently mentioned by the press
as candidate for Speaker OF the Assembly. was
IN town, HERALD reporter paid that gentleman
visit yesterday at the house OF his brother Mr.
William Pitt sherman. West Fifty-ifth street.
Mr. sherman Is man little past middle age Of
good presence and direct. practical and business
like in manner He made no objections to belna
'interviewed," and readily responded to the uues
tions OF our reporter
REPoRTER-You are. understand, q candidate
for Speaker OF the Assembly, on the democratio
slider
Mr.. SHERMAN-My name has been suggested foI
that position probably from the fact that large
portion OF my life has been spent in legislative
business and that I am supposed to be familiar
with the theory and practice OF parliamentary
law. do not purpose to 60 into q scramble fox
the position; but regarding 1t as one OF high
honor, If honoraoly attained, should be gratifed
TO be elected to II, and would IN such case do my
best to discharge Its duties properly.
REPoRrER-What has been your experience In
parliamentary bodies
Mr.. sHRBxAN-I was nve years clerk and one year
member OF the Assembly. subsequently served
for ten sessions as an Assistant Clerk OF the House
OF Represen tatives. in duties which brought in
intimate ofncial associations with the presiding
ofdcer. was also member OF the constitutional
Convention, which sat in this State In 1So7-S.
changes IN the rules and practice OF the Assembly
since you served In that bodys
Mr.. SHERMAN-There have been no essential
changes. The rules remain substantially a. they
were codined by me In 1857. regard them a. an
excellent code, admirably adapted to lair and
impartial despatch OF business. easily understood
and not difncult to administer by presiding OF.
ncer OF tact and experience though they might be
stumbling block 70 new man;
REPORTEk-Wnat effect are the constitutional
amendments just adopted likely to have on the
character OF legisations
in the nrst place greatly reduce its bulk Dy
shutting out mass OF special legislation which
much better provided ior by general laws or by
the action OF Boards OF Supervisors ! regard the
provision which gives the Governor veto OF par.
especially valuable. 1t gives the Govern or, in
TACT. supervisory power over al appropriations.
Under Governor or such stern integrity as
Samuel j. Tden we may be absolutely sure that
no steals or lmprovldent preparations VIII creep
in connection with that which forbids the Legsla-
ture TO pay unadjudicated claims, will save the
dollars the frst year. T0ere will be some hard.
ship TO public charities growing out OF the pro.
visions iorniddng state aid to large class which
local benefcence will IN time make up ior this.
The general tendency OF TINS provision VIII be 10
under sectaran control within direct state super.
vision.
REPoRrER-will the character or these amend.
ments tend TO shorten legislative sessions
Mr.. SHERMAN-l think not, materially. As the
On account OF the curtailment OF local and special
legislation, more time VIII De needed or tneI
proper consideration. Legislative work Will pc.
action Of standing committees Will be less conclu.
sive, and the consideration OF measures In COM
mittee OF the whole Will receive greater attention.
which will work great Improvement in the char.
acter OF the legislation. Tne framing Of general
latlon, will be a very particular work. requiring
the most careful consideration Of the best judicial
minds In the Stare. The line between what is
permitted and what is prohibited is SO narrow
that the judgment OF the courts viii In many cases
stitutional and what otherwise. My Judgment
Is that the Legislature should early pro.
VII vide J. ior the appointment s. OF u Joint committee
be best-of the ablest attatnabe material. to con.
sider this class OF legislation and report Its con.
clusonS In statute form, at un adjourned session
TO oe held late In the summer or early In the ial.
Unless this work be done with great care the
Legislature will be Hooded with doubtful applica-
tiOns and the courts be encountered with disputed
constitutional questions.
REPoETER-How do you regard the provision for
increased pay OF memoers Of the Legislature9
Mr.. SHERMAN-Favorably. The salary oil $1,500
| is higher than should have put it. one thousand
dollars would have been about the right mean. Ii
ought TO pc high enough TO pay expenses, but not
SO nigh as to tempt cupidlty. Legislator OF easy
virtue would much prefer the sum OF 5000 year
under the old constitution to $1,000 under the
new. great blow has been struck at log-rolling
and corruption by the adoption OF these amend
ments as q whole; but the day Of absolute purity
in legislation need not be expected yet In con-
ucClluu Will INC leRi5luIlOu IOT large Clues we
may still look Ior corrupt appliances, and great
vigilance will still be needed TO protect munich
legislative enactment.
REPoRrER-l notice in some O. the papers that
you are classed as liberal republican and by
between political parties?
Mr.. sHERMAN-Until six years ago was zeal.
GUS republican. The growing tendency OF tnat
party toward Capitalization ana the usurpation
or the party organization by ambitious and selfish
leaders for their own ACKNOWLEDGEMENT long since
destroyed my laith and confidence in it. / have
not been In accord with 1t since 1865. In the last
Presidential campaign Twas member OF the lib.
eral organization and supporter Oh Greeley.
Wnen that movement failed Hooked 10 the demo-
cratic party as the only inssrumentaity through
which relief from prevailing evils In the public
service might be effected. l was nominated for
the Assembly by democrats and elected by their
votes, reinforced by the liberal republicans and
by my personal friends In the republican party,
my district being republican one and givinga
act squarely with the democratic organzatlon and
to use what influence l may have TO consolidate
triumph, SO tnat at the next PRESIDENTIAL election
1t may be an invnciple power Tor reform. / am
too new recruit TO the democratic ranks to be
mixed with any OF It's old alleged rings or factions
l stand absolutely impartial as between all honest
interests. AS to dishonest ones, If any shall ap-
ambition for leadership nor has public lie any
particular attractions lor me. l have no wish to
by conscientious discharge OF my duties wher.
ever may be placed whether 1t be in the Speak
er,s char or n rd the walks Of private me-
ator seems to engage the attention OF the demo.
cratic party 70 a great extent at present and may
have some effect upon the election OF Speaker.
Have you any objection to expressing your views
on this suDecty
Mr. SHERMAN-None whatever. ] had supposed
that the action OF the Legislature on this subject
would be In accord with the generally expressed
sentiment OF the democratic press OF the State,
and that Ex-Governor Seymour would be CHOSEN
with almost entire unanlmlty. notice, however, In
to-day'5 telegraph report that Governor Seymour
declines to he a candidate. This WILL no doubt
bring lnto the field many candidates. The selec.
tion should be made from among the ablest aud
foremost democrats In the state. presume there
VIII be warm contest for the position. What
way our choice may be could better tell here.
after. when the candidates snail be made known;
but this IL Is proper | should say-that no In.
nuonce might possess as Speaker, no power or
patronage pertaining to That Office would be
brought to bear In the contest The committeeships
and other places In the gift OF the speaker are
not perquisltes to be bestowed for the benent Of