New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-04-17
CANAL REFORM.

NEGATIVE.
lrRoM A REGULAR CORRESPONDENT OF THE 1RIBUNL'l
ALBANY, April 16.-In the Assembly TINS morning
the bill authorizing the appointment OF an inspector
Of Public Works came up for third reading. MI
Alyord was the first 10 take the floor. He moved to
reeonmit the bill VITA directions to insert the fol-
lowing amendment:
But in all eases where oral testimony is taken all such
shall be in public, and witnesses shall have
the right be present with and consult with counsel
In support Of his motion MIR. Alvord said think
this bill should not pass but am willing to bow to
the will of the people if this amendment Is adopted
] think that to no one man should be given
power TO examine and question witness
in q secret chamber. 1t has long
been believed that the manner Of procedure known
to our Grand Jures il relic of the past that should
be done away WITH The power that we propose TO
grant under this bill is far greater than that IL we
pass this bill We are making long slip away from
those liberties which are our constant boast, ana
going far toward monarchy think 1t due TO the
people that the evidence be taken openly and under
their eye must so thinking, oppose the bill unless
nv amendment is adopted in which case Will vote
for il.
NIT c. Campbell said: The gentleman from Onon-
dasa MIR Alvord discussed this question fully In
Committee of the Whole. He then did not refer to
Grand Juries but finds ii now Of use to refer to and
Grand Juries have been long in force, and with all
their meetings they have totally failed to en-
danger the liberties of the people. In this
bill the power given to the Inspector are In
no way equal TO those possessed by Grand Juries.
The INSPECTOR has 60 power to inaugurate crlmnA
proceedings upon his report Whatever he finds IS
sent 10 the Governor, and, after thorough exarnna-
ton are made the foundation OF proceedings against
the persons who are considered in fault. This
amendment would destroy the power OF the In
epector. His investigation must be quick and
complete, OF il viii be useless. II counsel are
present with whom the witness could con-
suit before answering questions, the delay would
DESTROY any chance of benefit The report of the In
spector endangers no man. 1t merely gives the Gov
ernor that information which he by virtue OF the
duties of his Office, is unable TO obtain for himself.
Mr. DAILY said: had hoped that this bill had re-
eeived full discussion in Committee of the Whole,
and that on its third reading there would be no diff
ference of opinion. do rot think that MIR. Afford
has brought any new argument In support OF his
amendment. / cannot see that the bill grants any
extraordinary powers Of the character claimed by ITS
opponents This Inspector is simply TO examine into
the affairs of certain officials TO inspect accounts,
and to report his discoveries to the Executive
Mr. Waehner asked: Does the gentleman not
know that there is now Board OF State In
spectOrsi
Mr.. DAILY replied: When this bill was in the
Committee of the Whole answered that question
fully An officer such as the one provided for IN
this bin. will be in the direct confidence of the
Executive, and the people will be assured that
whatever information comes to the Governor will be
reliable
Mr.. Lincoln said am in favor of this bill, with
the amedment proposed. Secret sessions will never
command the confidence of the people, nor will they
submit to them. In 1872, when the Committee to
investigate the charges against the New-York Judges
proposed to sit with closed DOORS the people and the
press with one voice protested, and would not be
quieted until the sessions were made public.
Mr. Prince said; only rise to say that the gentle
man is incorrect in his statement OF facts. The
doors of that Committee were never open, and all
the evidence was taken in secret believe that had
the sessions been public the entire efficiency of the
investigation would have been lost, and the Judges
never impeached.
Mr. Lincoln replied shall probably vote for this
bill but prefer that this amendment should be in
coIporated in it, believe that if there was no ex-
element in the State caused by the canal message
this bill in any FORM would not get ten votes.
Mr. Schuyler said: desire to record myself IN
favor of this bill. i nothing dangerous In 1t.
fear no overthrow Of our liberties because of its
passage. / shall vote for it as 1T 49,
MIR. Kennaday said feel that this bill is full
of benefit to the people. In other way could the
Executive obtain the important information that Is
80 necessary to enable him to proceed in his course
of reform.
Mr. Davis said am in favor of the passage Of the
bin as il is think there is Misrepresentation IN re-
card to the powers granted under this act The fact Is
that the Inspector viii have no power, he will be
merely the agent of the Governor. The Executive
cannot make personal examination and this man
will be his agent to DO that aud that alone No &C
ton can be taken on the testimony prescribed by
the Inspector. 1t is simply submitted to the Cover
nor and he examines it and then decides whether it
il judicious to proceed upon it. The Governor has
always been held responsible for the due execution
of the laws and yet, until this year, it has
been suggested that he should be given the
power TO detect or unearth fraud or neglect
Ii is time that this be DONE II is time that afrma-
tive action be taken Let us place the Executive in
position to carry out the spirit of the laws and the
object of reform.
The amendment of Mr. Alvord was lost and the bill
passed by vote of so to H. The Nays were az fol-
lows Republicans in italics Democrats in romanl ::
Alrord, Gallagher Gedney Page, Ransom, ScheDck,
Stacy 1erksba,y Tremain, Waehner, Yost
I'm the Senate on motion of Mr. LOwery, the bill
was made special order for Wednesday, immedi
ately after the reading of the journal.
THE NEW REMOVAL BILL.
CONTINUED DISCUSSION IN THE sENATE-MR. PAR
MESrER's SPEECH AGAINST THE MODIFIED BILL