The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-03-15
Democratic Legislators Quarrelling About
Place and Power.
RAPID TRANSIT SCHEMES
New York City Bills To Be Considered
This Week.
MUCH TALK AND POOR RESULTS.
ALBANY. Mnrch IL 1874.

considerably clouded at the end of the session.
The first Tuesday IN January ushered In the new
democratic regime IN the Assembly, with work
ing majority OF some twenty members. demo-
cratic Governor took possession OF the seat just
vacated by radical republican. The people OF the
State looked for a millennium in public affairs.
True. the Senate Is republican, but that impedi-
ment will not overshadow or excuse mistakes in
the Lower House. Boyh branches arc equally re.
sponsible for legislative laundering.
WHAT HAS BEEN DONE-GOvERNoR TILDEN'S
MEASURES.
When look over the field from the first day
OF the assembling OF the Legislature fnd II
amusing and instructive to study .'what has not
been done" and what should have been accom-
plshed. Thanks to the vigor exhibited by Gov
ernor Tilden three important bills have been put
through, which may be Looked upon as coming ex.
clusively from the state Executive. Those are the
bills to when have frequently called attention,
Affecting the punishment ,or official corruption
and recovery OF moneys stolen from the Golfers OF
the people Attempts we're made last year TO
place similar measures before the Legislature but
such efforts met with signal failure. Now they
have become law, ana Governor Tllden's admins
tration must be credited with the passage OF re-
form enactments, protecting the people as far as
possible from depredations or dishonest officials.
Neither in the Senate nor the Assembly has q
terests OF the people, in framing necessary and
Just laws. valuable time has been frittered away
When pet measure comes up, bearing palpaby
upon Its face the stamp OF favoritism and emolu.
ments Tor some political cause satellite, then
intense interest Is manifested among legislators.
Open lobbying on the very floor OF the House ana
within foot OF Speaker McGuire's chair has been
freely INDUCED in, while sworn officials have scld
their consclences and independence for a mess OF
pottage. Probably some of them nave studied the
lines
the the world world Is not Thy friend NOR The worlds law;
Then, he not poor, bur bre ak 1t and take this
RAPID TRANSIT AND THE LEGISLATURE
We have not as yet had single effective
movement by the Legislature In the direction OF
solving the importan. problem OF rapid transit for
New York city. Some six bills have been intro
duced ana referred to the various committees.
There they remain. They lie calmly slumbering
in pigeonholes. No magic wand has come to dis.
turb their quiet resting place. What IS the rca.
son? allude to the following proposed enact
ments:-In the Senate bills OF Senators Moore and
Robertson. In the House. bills OF Mr.. Leo c. Des.
sar, John W. Smith, Mr. L. Bradford Prince and
Mr.. 5. d. Shattuck. In my judgment, the PROPOSE
tons laid down by Mr. L. Bradford Prince are de-
serving OF immediate attention. They seem to be
comprehensive ana feasible. THIS gentleman is a
scnolar and lawyer, and was one OF the ablesu
members OF our late Constitutional Commission.
the consent Of the Mayor Aldermen p or Common
Council In cities, Supervisors and commissioners
OF Highways in towns and Boards OIL trustees IN
villages shall first be Obtained by any company
duly organized, and sIch company snail then be
authorized to maintain and operate surface,
elevated depressed OF underground railroad
through sucn city, town or village, aud may ac-
Quire necessary property for That purpose IN the
usual manner In granting consent the local al-
thorltes snail determine as conditions the route
and character OF such road. the KIND OF motor to
be used, the weight ana pattern OF rail, the Fate
OF speed to be adopted. the rates Tor passengers
and freight. the compensation If any, TO be made
to such authorities for the use OF the streets or
avenues, &C., and the regulations as 10 CROSSINGS,
excavations, openings ana other matters. The
authorities snail also prescribe regulations IOr the
construction oil tae road DC, whether the same snail
be elevated, surface depressed or underground.
No action shall be taken IN the cons truclion Of
such road until the consent III wiring OF the
owners OF One-hai Of the property interest shalt
be OBTAINED, ana, in case such consent cannOS he
obtained, application must be made to the General
Term vi the Supreme Court which shall. alter u
full nearing. determine whether the road ought TO
be constructed, when such determination may be
taken in lieu oil the consent OF the property own
ers. The consent OF the local authorities must be
obtained within one year and that OF The property
owners within TWO Years alter flung arLlc.es OF
ASSOCIATION, otherwise the corporate existence OF
the company snail cease Tue local au 'horItes
referred to are authorized to determine
what railroads are needed IN their cities
and towns and decide upon tlelr character ana
location. In SUCH cases they shall advertise sucn
determination, with Iull statement OF the loca-
tton and character Of the route, and also that they
VIII consent 10 the CONSTRUCTION ana main tenanCe
sucn road or roads by any persons who Will con-
form 10 the conditions annexed to The consent.
The privilege to construct and operate sucn roau
shall he sold at pubic auction to the ngnest bid
der, VINO shali pay ten per cent OF the purchase
money at tre tim, o. sale, and sucn bidder may at
once proceed 10 associate himself WIEN sufficient
number OF persons to form q c0rDOratlOn In case
II corporation thus formed Is unabc 10 Obtain the
consent OF the property owners or favorable action
by the Supreme Court, the purchase money shall
be reunced ana the purchaser released from all
obligation IN the premises.
no n ture "A m n 70
on some oil these rapid transit bills Are the JOBS
OF corporations and politicians to take precedence
OF TINS great want o' the people IN New YORK city
LEGISLATIVE INyEsrlGAriNG COMMITTEES.
II Is u study and az instructive one, to watch I
DAYS and nights spent by men,
bcrs IN investigating the characters OF their |
colleagues. In nine cases out OF zen, to use
horeiy phrase, "he pot calling the tile black" |
might apply nicely 10 some OF these lnvcstiga-
uons. We have now high courts OF lnpeachment
inaueuratcd TO find out the following :-'Wnat |
have become OF all the brick and stone SAID TO
have. been purchased Tor the new Capitol build
ing ~ ''Dld senator u. f. Wood, from Syracuse,
insert IN he Supply btu OF iast year. without au-
tnorlty: an rem OF $4,000 Tor salary Of super
lobby, working IN the Interest OF the Filth
avenue poultce lob, resort TO forgery so as to
Thompson to he ousted rom MS seat and Mr.. You
mans 10 become his successor Tor The balance Of
the term: Ia my opinion these Investigations
tpro ably with the exception OF the Firth avenue
matter Will END In 'sound and fury, siguiiylng
nothingn There Is some tall swearing on botn
jury VIII nave an easier task TO arrive a conclu.
s.on inan the committees appointed RON both
houses IN TINS controversy, Some of the
immaculate Judges who already raise the |
QUERY OF .swnde." 'outrageOusr "lnfi.
mousr 'abominapic,r &C., had better look
20 their own conduct first. Pcope In
glass houses should not throw stones. over
s5.ooooo) arc SAID 70 have rccn expended IN
binding the rev capitol. some contractors |
swear they wOuid rave done tue work lor
$&ooooOo. WEI. probably they would have under
takcn II, and thcn aDrlirotiOn 10 amend the orig
ina estimates would follow. Albany contractors |
10 not ddcr ycrv niuc9 rs lar as sec, from New |
YORK contractors. The new Court House |
glorious monument To the industry ana enterprise
OF the latter People DO not contract public |
matters To lose money. on, no. Tnc dear tax
pay crs arc liberal; they are charitable; they have
~ mpatnlcS ana love Tor contractors. The new |
Capitol Commissioners are all poor men, and they !
need little public neip
THIS WEISS PROGRAMME.
Tuesday brings delegation Oi prominent citi- |
zcnS before the senate Committee Oh Cities. IN !
.rL.I ,,I,IiA,