The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1875-09-30

Every day in various portions of the
6tate each party dominates candidates for
the two branches of the next Legislature
Nothing in the pending campaign is more
Important than the selection OF the men
who are to compose the one hundred aud
HXty members Of the Senate and Assem-
bly, of 1876. The people may elect able and
honest state officers, but if the majority
Of the Legislature is made up Of weak and
negligent materials, and especially if they
be- corrupt, the representatives OF venal
Engs, and apt ut forming combinations
with the lobby, the triumph on state can
didates Will be comparatively barren of
beneficial fruits.
The l., Il -ature. quite ms much rs any
other department of the Governments can
exert an influence for good or evil in the
progress of reform. Indeed, with Senate
and Assembly surrounding the Rings like
a body guard, il would e extremely diff
cult for the Executive to break them up
aud scatter their fra ments beyond recOv-
cry. The last Legislature afforded strik-
ing illustration of the weakness of the line
OF attack upon intrenched rascality at the
precise spot where il ought TO have been
the strongest. And now il behooves hon
est and Independent men IN both parties TO
see TO IL at once that the incoming Legisla-
ture is composed Of men, both in respect
10 ability ana integrity, far superior to
that which is passing away. Last fail the
amendments 10 the Constitution. which
were intended TO elevate the character of
the Legislature, had not been adopted.
With these provisions in force, there is now
n a mood IA la ha n A.
fembly slippery characters who will plead
ns an excuse for stealing, that their salary
g. not sufficient 10 furnish them with re-
Spectacle board and lodging.
Thus far the nominations have generally
been tolerable, with here and there a
superior name, ana now and then bad
one. Intelligent voters who do not seek
office should give party leaders to under
stand that they prefer an honest Democrat
10 roguish Republican, and an upright
Republican to thieving Democrat; and
that they shall act upon this rule when at
the ballot boxes. Let this purpose be dis
tinctly announced in close districts, and
the effect will be magical in determining
the complexion Of the nominations in both
parties. To state the precise fact, this
city, with few exceptions, was repre-
scented ut Albany last winter by n very
weak set OF Senators and Assembymen !;
and this was particularly true Of the
Democrats. There is no excuse for re-
peating this lamentable blunder this fall.
The Republicans will make great effort
60 carry a majority of the Senate; and
unless the Democrats present candidates
of extraordinary worth in close districts,
the chances In, fa ~ In. D.,
Gcans. On straight pun between parties
the Democrats would be certain TO carry
majority of the Assembly; but with
Democratic quarrels in Albany, Syracuse,
Rochester, and Buffalo, and with some
thing like an instruction against Tam
many in this city, the Republicans may
even prevail in the Assembly. At all
events, # the Democrats wish for success
there, we advise them 10 cease their bicker-
ings, and above all to nominate fiIst-Iate
men.