The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-05-24
Ths Result. OF tho session.

yituperation, having no other purpose than
10 recall and to fix in the public recollection
the few things which are Of permanent IN
terest We confne ourselves 70 mere re-
cital Of measures and such brief comments
rs may serve to render them Ineligible
The first bills Of any importance passed at
tho late session were those called the Civil
Remedies acts, which had their origin partly
in personal and professional pride, but
chiefly in a commendable zeal to bring
public thieves to justice The paternity
Of these acts belongs TO Mr.. O'Conor
and Governor Tilden, who conducted
the suits against Tweed and Ingersoll
for the recovery Of the money they had
stolen from the CITY, Those suits were
started upon an assumed right Of the Attor-
ney General to sue in the name and on behalf
Of the State for the recovery Of moneys
which had been distracted by fraud from
local treasures Tho Court Of Appeals, IN
its decision delivered last spring, decided
against the right, which was deep wound
to the professional pride Of the gentlemen who
bad advised and conducted the suits. After
the Court Of Appeals had decided that Their
opinion was not law they concluded that 1t
ought to be, and succeeded in bringing the
Legislature into their view. The consequence
was the passage Of the Civil Remedies bills
which explicitly clothe the Attorney General
OF the Stale with authority to sue Tor the re-
covery Of local moneys. When these bills
had passed it was supposed that new suits
would be forthwith commenced against the
members Of the Tammany Ring. The public
was surprised and startled by the pardon OF
Ingersoll from State Prison, and the rising
Indignation was quietad by semi official
assurance from the Governors friends that
this astonishing act Of grace was intended TO
qualify Ingersoll rs . witness against his Eel
low members OF the Ring III the coming pros
ecutions. After the public indignation at SO
strange pardon had been thus quellei
nothing further was heard OF the intended
suits If they should not be prosecuted, or if
the testimony of Ingersoll should prove to be
Of no value in compelling his confederates Of
the Ring TO disgorge, the republicans will
make great handle Of the pardon in the next
election. So tar as the public can see this
strange pardon is, as yet, the only practical
fruit Of the passage Of the Civil Remedies
bills.
The next memorable thing in the history Of
the late session was the Governors vigorous
Canal Message, for which he was SO greatly
aud Justly applauded. But that too is, as yet,
d mere declaration Of war, barren of substan-
tial victories. What member Of the Canal
Ring has been compelled to disgorge?
What law has been passed for uprooting the
system2 To be sure, Governor Tlden's ex-
4 posures led to some legislation, but it is Of no
practical account. There was legislative
committee Of investigation which made
report that led to nothing. The Governor
was also allowed to appoint commission of
investigation; but, although it is understood
to be prosecuting its labors, there is no very
bright promise Of results. II may, perhaps,
furnish matter for o paragraph IN Governor
Tudeu's next annual Message. Another con-
sequence Of the Canal Message is law author
izing the Governor TO appoint an inspector Of
public works; but as that officer has no
power but 70 investigate and report his func-
ton may be Of no more utility than that Of
the commission Of investigation. The upshot
rious and endless investigation, but no rene
dies. There is one other law which was passed
il consequence Of the Canal Message,
but we doubt whether the Governor
will ever put it in force. We refer to the
Removal bill, which authorizes the Governor
to suspend public officers for misconduct and
put them on trial before the Senate What
the Governor wanted was the power Of abso-
Lutte removal which was wisely withheld. The
fac. that be desired it Will be turned against
him ~ bis political opponents in the next
election. BY demanding more than even bis
own party was willing to concede the Cover
nor has impaired tho popularity which at
tended bis great coup against the Canal Ring.
SO lar as the late Legislature Is concerned
il was 4 mere explosion, by which nobody
was hurt; but il gave interest and kclat to
what would otherwise have been tame
session.
Another thing which we must not omit to
mention is the act reducing the rates Of toll
on tie canals. THIS is a measure OF doubtful
cxpediency, but it was So clamorously do
handed BY the people engaged in ca Al navi-
cation that the Legislature could not very
well resist, and even the Governor, who op-
posed a reduction Of tolls in his Message at
the opening Of the session, thought it prudent
to yield. The consequence Will probably be
that the canals viu yield no surplus revenue
during the present season.
one Of the subjects which deserved the
earnest attention Of the late Legislature was
the municipal government Of this city, which
is regarded by al parties as a disgraceiul
chaos. But nothing has been done, and tile
neglect is chiefly due to the infexible opposi-
ton Of the Governor His opposition 70 tie
Costigan bill would have been pardonabie If
IL hnd rrnnnanl nnd r.rneaad rnrnn Lnifnr