New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-05-24
THE DEAD LEGISLATURE.
ITS LIFE AND WORKS.

NAME-cANAL LEGIsLATIoN-THE QUESTION OF
JoBBERY-THE VERDICT OF THE PEOPLE.
lyaox rHR REGULAR CORRESPONDENT OF THE TRIBUNE.
Albany, May 22.-The Legislature Of 1875, which
never had reputation for being very lively, expired
to-day. 1t leaves its character behind it to the
kindly Offices of that "unbridled hbelous irrespon-
sible, and liceDtious press" which exhibited its
liking for vicious, malicious vituperations and
corrupting ribaldry" by printing verbatim reports
of Speaker McGure's wild appeals TO the shilalah,
and by judicious publication of the Yeas and Nays.
There has been considerable question whether this
Legislature succeeded best in what it failed TO do,
or whether it failed most signally in what il sue
ceeded in doing Much of the good it did was under
compulsion most of the bad it failed to accomplish
was because of restraint.
Whatever claims the House-for that is the pop
ular body-may have TO general, it has none 10
partisan gratitude. Democratic Assembly which.
with clear majority of of votes, could not
even pass an Excise law, is it goes without saying an
incompetent, demoralzed and disorganized body,
looking at it from the working politicians point of
view. This lack of harmOny-a discord that always
reaches the public canvas exhibited again and
again throughout the Winter. Not even on unim-
portant measures the discipline any better. And
with the great the plight of the Democracy was
sometimes pitiable Even on the Costigan bill,
measure which reorganized the reputation of Mr..
Thomas Costigan on a colossal scale, if it did not
affect the local government of the City of New
York." they were able 10 the requisite IS
votes only by dint of hard drilling with much beat
ing of drums and various readings of the riot act
The only caucus held with reference to legislative
action was this BILL and il as little regarded
AZ "A bull from the Vatican would have been. A
party divided against itself leaves its legacy of dis
organization to the campaign that follows II, and
this Assembly will furnish another example of the
rule.
There were two great tasks set down for the pres
ent year. One foreseen and uneventful; the
other was unforeseen and came like thunder ont of
clear sky The one was the preparation of general
laws the other the problem of canal reform. The
former work has been performed with commendable
diligence and care The General Supervisors,
Banking, Corporation. and Rapid Transit laws, and
Others of less magnitude but of considerable impOr
lance have all been thoroughly considered in both
Houses, Mr. Kennaday, Of Kings, leading the Com
mittee in one House and Judge Robertson In the
other Mr.. Prince has done large share of the
work while in the Senate Judge Robertson has veri
fed all his former reputation the most abOrious,
painstaking and conscientious of legislators The
work of Canal Reform was Of more warlke kind.
When Gov. Tlden precipitated his message, and lie
TRIBUNE it's double-cOlumn tables, upon the Legs-
lature, tie disclosure was equal to revelation 1t
=
uninstructed by tmid rural press, it all new
and shocking But as at all capitals, the gossip of
the Hobbies and the wine-rooms is mistaken for the
voice the people, audit long before the quiet
workings Of the Canal Ring began to show themselves
on the surface in opposition TO the measures demand
ed There were legal points TO be raised, and doubts
70 be satisfied committees delayed their reports,
and In every way obstacles were piled up IN the path
of REFORM Under the lead in the Senate OF Senator
+ba las of
servile band of Republicans who wore the collar of
Tweed and ate of the crumbs that fell from his
table and in the Assembly, of Thomas e. Alvord,
who takes better care of his friends than his repu-
tatio and Of jeremiah Mcclure, as reckless and IN
discreet a man be is personally honest, the cam
paie-n was fought 10 a successful conclusion. Re
publican jealousies, too came into play ILden was
making too rapid progress IN popular affection 70
suit the Custom House. and So instead OF aiding him
10 the uternost and then claiming the credit OF his
achievements the Republicans wheeled about, and
in the Assembly voted sOlidly against the Absolute
Removal bill with phalanx of Democrats, al OF
whom without exception, were either allied TO the
Ring by local legislative ties, or were purchasaDle
men But the details of canal Legislation need not
be rehearsed here Suffice it to say that II was by
the efforts of these three classes of men that the
wishes of the Governor were thwarted and the Re
form measures incumbered with all the clogs that
their ingenuity could devise. With them rests the
responsibty which the attitude of the better class
of Republicans in the Senate and the better class OF
Democrats in both Houses viii not permit them to
shirk.
Here comes m the most novel and striking OF all
the surprises of this exciting Winter at Albany-the
phenomenon of an Executive IN reality as well as IN
name II was well understood before PLAIN MT.
Tlden became Gov. Tlden that he not only had
mind of his own but way Of speaking II. ana the
politicians looked with interest for the beginning OF
Fxeeutive interference But their colossal disgust at
the sbopes this interference took their profane and
contenptuous mention of the Governor who wanted
10 govern their fierce and many-syllaDled ln0lgna-
ton at the manner and direction OF TINS interference
were such as TO leave doubt OF the novely Oh INC
sensation Compared with this ceaselessiy acuVe
and watchful Executive, who mas not hesltateu
10 throw frebrands into his own party
snd exnose again and again his own weak
ness in point of influence over the Legislature
Governors at Albany of late years at least, have
been little more than respectable tTimmers holding
discretion 10 be more than valor and the veto power
bnt AZ ammunition for small game. OF the extent OF
Che Influence which has been exerted, the outside
public has little idea 1t lis strictly within the inc
of truth TO say that there has not been time since
the opening of the session that the course OF legisa
ton has not been watched and guided as carc1ully
as the running Of an engine by the engineer bills
have been introduced that undoubtedly came directly
from the Executive Chamber; amendments 10 suit
the shifting whns of debate have been sent III Horh
the same source debates and votes have been care
funv watched and the various opinions and
capabilities of men noted; conference GULL
mittee reports have been shaped; and through
and above il All has been felt constant pressure,
the source of which was unmistakable. This pres
Il ma