The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-01-21
The Governors Political Position
as Defined in His Message.
The Constitutional Amendments and
That Clerical Error Once More.
The Contested Seat in the
Tenth District.


rom Onondaga, on the Governors Message. In
years past 1t has always been the custom OF the
Legislature to set apart certain day Tor free
md epen discussion OF the Message, but the Gus
tom was more nonored in the breach than in the
observance, ana the day appointed was allowed to
be passed over without any notice whatever being
taken OF the Governors views. and. by the mere
Trick of q postponement, which, ostensibly tenn
porsry when made, was finally reduced to an In
definite period. 1t fell TO the lot OF Governor
Alvord, or, rather, the Governor made 1t
= special policy OF his own, to De the first
and foremost of the members this year TO set his
ace against the Old-time policy OF treating the
Message with contempt, and, thanks to mis- efforts,
to-day, which last week was designated as "Mes
sage day,' was for the first time in many years.
really devoted TO the consideration OF the Gov
ernOr's views on all the topics touched upon by
him. The fact that Mr.. Alvord was to discuss the
Message at length was Of itself sufficient attraction
TO draw an immense crowd OF auditors the gal
leries up stairs and the reserved seats IN the rear
OF the circle of seats being hlled to repeton by the
hour the House called TO order. His denun-
Citations of the policy OF ination created consider
able OF sensation, particularly when he declared
that it would eventually be the ruin OF the people
His statement that he was, as the Governor was,
AN OLD-TrME DEMOCRAT
also made quite a hutter, which was by no means
decreased when he remarked that the time had
come for men Of all parties to break loose from
mere party associations and to join shoulder to
shoulder for the common good There was an at
tempt at laugh among the republicans from
the backwoods when he said that the good old
time democratic rule the real rule OF the people,
and that from it the republican party had strayed
away tar as had the democratic party Of the
present day, but the attempt was sickly
failure and democrats and republicans looked
about the chamber at one another as
though each was trying to read the others
thoughts and felt half inclined TO nudge his neigh
Dor in the ribs and whisper :-'There's more truth
than poetry IN all that" The speakers reference
to the panic and as TO how workingmen had been
reduced to their present lamentable condition. by
reason of the "nOn-productive" operations OF
THE GOLD AND STOCK GAMBLERS
IN Wall street, appeared TO please the galleries i'm
menscly, where were gathered q large number Of
the unemployed, all evidently deeply engrossed in
the remarks Of the Onondaga orator. As gen.
eral whole the speech had a good effect upon the
House. and when Mr.. Alvord sat down he was
greeted with loud and continued applause, which
only ceased after the chairman Of the Committee
OF the Whole, Mr. Vedder, had raped with his
gsvel on the desk several times. 1t may be re-
marked that during his speech Mr. Alvord gave a
very clear insight into the way deralcatons occur
where the county treaSurers the guilty parties
and showed how they loaned the moneys OF the
people for their own benefit or for that OF some
lmpecunious friend; how they got interest on
public moneys form banks who went their
security when installed IN office, and how
followed by litigation from court to court, and
then. In nine cases out or ten when the court OF
crossing Of .s, or the nonodoating Of an -. or
some other defect the case had TO be abandoned
so lar as the securities of the deaulers were con-
cerned, and the State had to make up the stolen
documents by
INCREASED TAXATION.
lVnr hA tv1ftrn hn nnSyhf hA
could, by bill he is now preparing put an end to
TINS class Of deiacations, he VIII certainly deserve
are now, as Governor Dix asserted in his Message,
overwhelmed with taxes that are becoming more
and more oppressive every day.
THE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTs.
The constitutional amendments still hang fire in
the Senate, ana, Judging from the discussion had
upon them to-day and the tact that they were sim
before they viii be passed by both houses.
only Considered six Of them, and apparently rest
ing upon It's oars TO see what the Senate will do
about them and what decisions the legal lights
ND stairs Will come to in the mooted question as TO
the form OF the legislation to alter the amendments
whenever found detective In any particular, and
~ to the ef1ect upon the seventh amendment OF
the error IN relation to the Black River Canal. This,
even In the opinion OF such men as John Ganson,
viii not injure the amendment at all, and he bases
his opinion on the TACT that the journal OF the two
houses shows that the amendment offered i'll the
Assembly, inserting this canal in
THE LIST OF EXCEPTIONAL CANALS
not to be sold or disposed OF at any time, and
winch W as passed Dy the Assembly, mad nnally to
be stricken out by reason OF the firm stand the
Senate took against it, even after the appointment
o. Two conference committees on the subject.
rms IS the record Of TACT in the matter, he con-
tends, ana no mistake OF a clerk ought to be SUN
cent 70 rob the amendment OF its real purport so
long as the action OF both houses last year to 1t
was clear and beyond dispute
Before the discussion was brought to q close the
words "Black River Canal were stricken out OF the
troublesome amendment, and thus the matter
stands At present. During the consideration Of
the NTH article, which the democrats in the lower
= nj.
icy, VINO Is democrat, and who was member of
the Constitutional Commission which framed all
tne amendments, said that OF previous occasion,
In the Constitutional Commission, he had voted
1or TINS article; therefore he was here now either
proposed; the election OF important officers was
s1 snen from o the people and given to the
the Article One sn change h s se msas
mon, which he disapproved. He referred to
Inc leaving on OF the comptroller from the Canal
BOARD AS the section was agreed on in the CON-
mission the Comptroller was a member of the
Canal Board, but by some mistake lie was left OF
u0m tne amendments as printed.
II Is said the people Will not surrender their
right 10 elect certain officers. Perhaps not; that
question is for them to decide and let them decide
after thorough discussion. The people now elect
Canal Commissioners; but, except in certain
of the character OF the onicers Tor whom
they voter The fact is, the people are
ha a. the head exact CT
knowledge. He was in favor ofputtng RESPONSE
Ole head to the canals and prisons. The canals
and prisons OF the state have been grossly mis-
managed. 1t may be said as to the Inspectors Of
Prisons what ne had indicated In regard to the
Canal COmmssoners-the people who voted for
them knew nothing OF the character OF the men for
whom they voted In regard to the appointments
given to the Governor 1t was to be said that
the Executive has no marked responsibility. He
practically is but ngurehead. In the different
departments OF the state he has no power or
responsibility. Divided responsibility Is no
responsibility. The reason that the Hudson River
and Central roads and the Delaware Canal COM
pAnies have achieved such distinguished financial
success Is to be traced TO the matter OF response
yesiisy properly placed. As 70 the Attorney Gen.
pal the law adviser OF the Governor, IL was en-
1senuy proper that he should always be In accord
ZNh ne executive, and hence the provision for
- appointment. As to the ONCE OF state En-
xsn1! anu surveyor, 1t was eminently desirable
tnat shouid be taken out OF the sphere oil poll
ncs. he should vote against the motion 20 strike
out.
One-woum think rom the way both houses have