The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-02-19

Concerted Action of Democrats
and Republicans.
A STRIKING RAILROAD BILL
Ex-Governor Seymour Before the Committee Of
Ways and Means-The Conflict Of
Departments Rapid Transit
scheme-The Factory Children.

ALBANY Feb. Is. 1874.
The amendment to the fifth article OF the consti-
tuition was defeated to-day in the Assembly, and,
therefore, cannot 20 before the people at the next
state election. You are already aware OF what
this amendment consisted, and shall merely
indicate what its spirit was. 1t provided Tor the
breaking up OF the Canal Ring which has robbed
this State OF fabulous sums of money 1t provided
against the plundering prison contract system.
and 1t strengthened, while holding to a larger
responsibility, the Governor of the State by giving
him the appointment OF certain State officers, who
are now regularly nominated by ring and forced
upon the people. 1t was wise and well inten-
toned amendment, and was the joint product of a
commission. consisting equally of democrats and
republicans, to the number OF thirtytwo. 1t passed
the last Legislature, and there was reason what
ever why it should not pass this one. except that
the politicians found out it did not agree with
their interests and SO its total defeat was con-
trived. Twelve O'Clock had been appointed to
take the vOte without debate. on the adoption Of
the amendment.
LARGE NUMBER OF LOBBYISTS
stood behind the railing at the rear OF the cham
Der, and when the event of the day was announced
from the Chair as being In order stir took place
that showed something OF unusual interest to be
on hand. The democrats We're all pledged to vote
against the amendment under the pretence that
1t took power from the people, where 1t belonged,
and lodged 1t in the Executive. though everybody
knows that the people have as little voice In Sc
lecting candidates for Attorney General, State
Engineer and Surveyor, Superintendent of Prisons
and Canal commissioners as they have In
regulating the planetary system; but it
suited the democrats to say 80. The Treasurer OF
the Canal Board, Mr.. Raines, is a liberal repuo-
lican, friendly to the democrats and he contrived
to have an understanding with that side of the
House to defeat the amendment, which imperilled
the existence Of the Canal Ring.
THE DEMOCRATS,
however, can shelter themselves under the plea
that they followed traditional principle though
even that excuse, considering the question at
issue, was nothing but the thnnest veil Of hypoc-
risy. But what excuse can the twenty
republicans give who helped the democrats to de-
feat an amendment that aimed to stop the plumber
OF the Canal Ring and make che prisons of the state
sell-supDOrtng2 The ilmsy pretext that the people
voted down the question of appointing judges is all
they can offer in defence, while no parallel exists
between the two cases. After the Clerk mad read
the amendment to article silence ensued, and
tie roll Of members was then called. Mr.. Alder
ger, who Is chairman of the Canal Board voted
''yea;" but MIR. Alberger had already, with great
zeal, canvassed the Assembly, and knew almost TO
a single vote what the result would be, so that he
could AFFORD to appear on the side OF the reform
element In the body. Quite number OF members
rose up to explain their votes, which was evidence
enough OF the Importance they attached TO the
question, and those republicans who went in the
negatlve and had the capacity to explain them
selves were especially anxious to set themselves
right. Speaker Hustled made
THE SPEECH OF THE DAY.
Leaving the chair to explain his vote. he de.
Scended to the moor and made vigorous and con-
vincing address in behalf OF the amendment He
warned members of the great Importance of the
question OF the future benefits which the passa ge
and the stop IL would put to corruption IN various
forms. He was sorry to see that 1t had fallen mi 10
q partisan dispute because 1t was conceived in
purely non-partisan spirit and for the welfare Of
the whole people, whose, voice at least should be
for their verdict. The Assembly elected by the
people had no right to withhold Fl ON
that so vitality concerned their interests.
OTHER EXPLANATIONS
followed In rapid succession. MIR. Batcheler supple
mented the remarks OF Speaker Hustled, and Messrs.
Beebe, Wright, Vedder, Weed, Fish and others ex-
planned themselves on one side or the other. The
vote resulted AZ yeas 70 nays; and the e amendment
that the vote be reCOnSdered and moved the pre-
vious question. This was striking while the iron
while the majority was on the floor and in the
humOr. A vote was taken on the reconsideration.
and then on the previous question, and the
"a to "A.
THE BLACK SHEEP.
The following are the names OF the republicans
who were against giving the people a chance to
vote on the amendment to The fifth article of the
constitution, and who helped to Kill it In the AS
sembly to-day Badger, Beecher, BOrdwell, Car
penter, Clark, COmstocK Deane, Farrar, Foote,
houghton, Jones, Law Manley, Mcqueen, Parry,
wood, H. Smith, c. S. Spencer, Stacy, Slower.
West, Whaen, Wright and Worth. 1t Is no vague
apprehension that the republican party in this
State is last going to pieces.
A MOST IMPUDENT BILL
was introduced in the Assembly to-day by MIR.
Ryan to build horse car railroad through Canal
street, up South Fifth avenue and Fifth avenue to
Twenty-thrd street, and then up Lexington ave.
nue. to seventy. second street and then again TO
names as Archie Bliss, Tom Dreamer and the like.
The horse railroads are sufficient plague already
where they are located, but to run them In upon
the few decent thorOughares that have SO far
escaped Dissertation looks like bid for purchase.
INVESTIGATING NEW YORK CITY GOVERNMENT.
resolution is being prepared calling Tor COM
mttee of the Legislature to investigate the work
lngs OF all the departments of the New York city
government. The departments OF Public Works,
Parks, Registers, Surrogates, Sherin's and Comp.
trOller's of1lces are to be Overhauled and their
methods OF doing business examined.
COMPENSATION FOR THE TWEED PROSECUTING
COUNSEL.
Mr.. wagstaG presented bill in Assembly TO
mentioned in an act, chapter sos Of the
laws OF 1872, being the expense of conducting civil
and criminal suits and prosecutions growing out
of frauds upon the treasury OF the city and county
of New York, which were brought to light In 1871.
The Board Of Supervisors is authorized to raise
by tax upon real estate, $4,000 to be applied to
the payment Of counsel and other expenses which
may be incurred by the Attorney General and
Charles O'COnor.
AMENDING THE CITY CHARTER.
Mr.. Healey proposes the following amendment to
the charter OF New York;
No street avenue public place In the city of New
YORK winch mas been once paved and the expenses
thereof paid TOR by the owners of the property adjon
ing by assessment shall hereafter be paved at their
pense, nor shall any therefor be imposed
unless the same shall be peoned by majority OF
the owners OF the property who shall also be the own
ers OF majority or the front feet on the line Of the pro-
uioned Tor by majority OF the the adjoining
property to be affected and for which has
been entered into or award of contract made is hereby
declare to be imperative and void provided however
the pavement OF any street, avenue public place
shall be much impaired by and from other
causes as TO render repavemen necessary for the pub
lie health or safety such street. avenue public place
may be repaved with stone pavement at the expense
the owners OF adjoining properly without being Pc