New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-04-16
THE ,SFN1TE md TIE ENG.

II would be q great relief if one side or the
other in the debate now pending at Albany
had courage enough to make square fight.
Leaving out of consideration two or three UNI
classified members whose sincerity in dreading
the enlargement of the Governors power 1t
is only fair to assume, the Senate
may be vigorously divided into the
friends of the Absolute Removal bill and the
friends of the Canal Ring. There is 10 middle
party and there is no room for the compromise
measure which Mr.. Robertson was induced,
against his own expressed wishes, to present
on Wednesday. The tactics of the Ring are
of course to harass, Obstruct delay,
and enfeeble every measure of reform
rather than to oppose it openly, and
it is not surprising that instead OF
voting against the Removal bill they should
hamper it with all manner OF restrictions and,
while pretending to approve its principle, make
it really imperative in practice. But VIC con-
fcss to great deal of disappointment that so
few should be found on the other side of the
chamber willing to take u bold and aggressive
position on this important issue MIR.
Robertson proposes good bill, and with
draws it without risking even n debate !;
proposes next day weak, delusive, almost
useless bill, and says in the same breath that
he knows it is q bad one, and will vote against
it if he can get somebody to back him avOws
that it is necessary to give tho Governor abb
solute power of removal, but is afraid to father
an act for that purpose because 30 many peo-
pie will be dispeased by it. Victories are not
won by such leaders. We need somebody 10
force the fighting.
The trouble is that the Canal Ring is much
stronger in the Legislature than most people
Coy. Tilden, however, not being among
them-llave ever suspected. There are Scna-
tors and Assemblymon whom the Ring owns,
body and soul. There are others who have
been notorious for years az themselves the
leading spirits in the corrupt organization,
the claim agents, who have secured
its enormous allowances. But its power cx-
tends beyond even the wide circle of its men,
bers and retainers. The average legislator is
party man who seldom rises above the con
sideraton of strict party advantage, and has
only dull appreciation of reform movement
whose objective point is merely an honest adj
ministTation. Honesty, according to him, Is
very good thing, but in politics one must
not be fanatical. We cannot prevent
stealing. Tuning out one set of thieves only
makes room for another Why disclose s. Ircg-
CHARITIES" which will implicato our best
friends and disalrange the plans OF those per
sons "inside politics" who control the nomi-
mating conventions and make or unmake
Albany statesmen -Four out Of five MEM
bers of the Legislature, personally above
stealing, are anxious at heart that the
exposures OF the Canal Ring should go
no further, are persuaded that the Governor
is mischief maker, and will check his re-
forms il they dare-not because they are dis
honest, but because ref Om will int rfcre with
their personal ambitions, or ruin some of their
party associates, or blast the miserable little
local associations which run The politics of
their districts.
Just for the reason, however, Chat the major
ity axe cowardly, selfish and timc-serving, they
are ready to follow the lead of any enthusiasts
tic fighting rcformer who can show that ho
has the people behind him. When such man
shows himself at Albany, public opinion will
manifest itself so clearly that il will be understood
even in Albany-and then the reform will go