New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-04-15

desire of reform that is so generally the wish of
the people, then he is not just to us. The people
have had no opportunity this year to impugn the
integrity Of the Senate and il should not be done by
unweighed statements. If Senator intends TO
scourgc the Senate into support of the provision he
favors by such charges he is mistaken. II
he hopes to create by it outside doubt
OF the good intentions of this body, then
he is not acting Justly to The Senator said that
eieht-tenths of the people were in favor of giving
the Governor this absolute power of removal. He
cannot know this. The Senator from the lXth Rob
ertson) said yesterday that he was satisfied that the
people were opposed to this proposition. If he
yesterday satisfied of this why does he rise and
say that he is in favor of it. Has he learned in
single night that he was then wrongf cannot
derstand il.
Mr.. Robertson-In the Committee when consid-
ering the substitute we have to-day reported, said
that, If motion made to replace the original
provision would vote for it.
Mr.. Woodin--I do not doubt this nor do I COM
plain Of it, think it duty to cary out the will
of the people, and when am satisfied what it is
will follow st. will not vote for such measure
this until am satisfied believe it to DO against
the spirit of the Constitution. 1t takes away from
the people the power to elect their own officials.
In the last Constitutional Convention the proposition
was made to give the Governor the power to appoint
the AttorneyGeneral. 1t was defeated, and the peo
pie approved the act. The Governor now has power
to commission militia officers but he is denied the
right to remove them without the consent of the
Senate. Under this proposed bill the Governor
could remove every State officer the second day
of January after his election and put creatures of
his own in their places. Why not go further and
provide for the removal of the Governor
Mr.. Robertson-He goes by impeachment.
WOodD-S0 he fha fafp
know that it is slow and expensive process.
am in favor Of tribunal to be created by law which
shall try and remove these officials. The Chief
Justice of the Appeals and the Presiding Judge of
the General Term in the several departments could
! be the tribunal. l an heartily with the Senator
from the IXth tRobertson) in favor of a means
of swift justice TO these who unjust in their
official acts but cannot and will not vote for this
absolute power to be given to the Governor.
Mr.. Jacobs-The Senator CWoodinl either misun-
derstOOd me- meant to put me in a false position.
The Senator apolOgzed for the Senator from the
IXth (RobertsOn). think that unnecessary, as the
Senator is fully able TO take of himself
Mr.. WoOdin-Then would let him do it If were
yOu
Mr.. Jacobs-I know that there are men in this
State who will every power to defeat this bill,
any bill of the kind, and it to that influence
and TO those that referred when spoke of its
machine meant 10 disrespect TO the Senate.
believe the best men in the State are in favor of
the substitute | offer. The great public organs
of New-York City united upon it,
The whole country look upon our State being in
the hands Of punderers. We must take no halfway
measures, but must show by our acts that we intend
to strengthen the hands of Mr. Tlden in his combat
with the knaves. Let us exercise the powers given
us by the Constitution in such way that the
try may understand that fearless Executive in the
State of NewYork has the Legislature at his back in
every movementof reform. We authorized to pass
laws to punish public plunderers, and let do
Shall we help the Governor to carry ont his reform
measures, or shall we vex him with conditions
that will weaken his hands7 That is the question,
and the only question. If the Governor does not
wisely use this power the people will demand from
him the reasons of his wrongdoing and will punish
him.
On motion Of Mr.. Madden the bill was then pro-
crossed and made special order for tomorrow.