New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-01-30
ALBANY.
A PROFITLESS MONTH.

ELEVEN BILLS PASSED THE SENATE. TWENTY THE
-. ASSEMBLY, AND NINE BOTH HoUsEs-A SMALL
PRoPoRIIsN OF THESE OF GENERAL INTEREST
lfRoh THE REGULAR CORRESPONDENT OF THE TRIBUNE.l
ALBANY, Jan. 29.-The first month of Legisla-
ture is very fruitful in results, but it would
seem that the one just closed had been especially
barren. It's most important task, that Of electing
United States Senator, was accomplished with appa-
rcnty as much satisfaction to everybody in general
as to Mr. Herman in particular but 1t was easily and
peaceably accomplished. When this duty had been
performed the Legislature had nothing to do but to
face the work of the session and attack it at once
As a body elected by the aid Of Republican votes,
the majority had an opportunity to show themselves
IN some measure worthy of popular favor. by
prompt industry which would have been both novel
and commendable; as partisans, they have lost the
chance of making a good record from the outset.
The energy they may now exhibit will seem to have
more or less of remOrse in it.
The calendars of the two Houses give some notion
of theE0yertY of the months work In tho Senate
&c bills have been introduced, four Of which have
passed both Houses and gone to the Governor !;
seven others-11 in all-have passed the Senate. In
the Assembly 1877 bills have been introduced, 20 have
been passed, and five have gone to the Governor.
Nine bills, all that have been passed. have received
the Governors signature. Very few of those either
introduced or passed have been Of public interest
The bill providing civil remedies in Of official
malversation. which passed the Assembly to-day, is
perhaps the most important except those intended
for general laws, though the members took up with
much greater aacrity the bill providing for the
mode of their compensation, and disposed of that
vital matter as soon as possible. Fortunately they
have only done so once and did not follow the eX-
ample of that profgate Arkansas Legislature which
did nothing but adjourn and pass more AK to raze
our pay"
A complaint simply that the Legislature has done
so little would be senseess that is cause for gen.
eral congatulation. The real indictment is that
they have taken so long to do little, while there
is important work waiting for them. Seven general
laws have been introduced-the fact that all of
these were framed by Republicans, five by Mr..
Prince and one each by Senators Wood and King,
indicates the prevalent Democratic apathy-but the
first step of progress taken by the majority in the
matter was the report to-day from Mr. Kennaday' 3
committee in favor of two of Mr.. Princes bills,
making bribery bar to suffrage, and in reference to
elections. Some of the most important Committees
of the Assembly meeting only twice week. in
stead of every legislative day. they might easily
do, and as has been the custom of some of them.
There also important matters to which the atten-
ton of the Legislature has been called to which 1t
has not yet deigned to give look In Controller
Hopkinss report which was admitted by men OF
both parties to be an exceedingly able and entirely
non-partisan paper the Legislature was invited to
consider the condition of the State prisons the ex-
travagance of whose management is scandal OF
long standing; the United States Deposit Fund, tue
investment of which is inseeuEOi the questions Of
taxation and assessment, and the necessity OF such
action as shall equalize tho burdens of taxpayers
and the disposition of the lateral canals which both
the Governor and the Controller urged upon tho
attention of tho tersletHre. Not of these sub
jects has yet had the honor Of remote alluson.
Here is work enough and to spare. Let the Legisla-
ture once realize this fact and there will be
cakes and ale.