The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1876-05-19
7HE LATE ASSEMBLY.
Nj. Andrew ]. Campbell on the
Last Session.
why General Hustled Was
Elected Speaker.
SEVERE CRITICISMS ON HIS ACTIONS

SEVERE CRITICISMS ON HIS ACTIONS.
NJ. Andrew J. Campbell. the representative In the
Assembly IRON the Ninth Assembly district Of New
York. was visited yesterday by representative OF tho
HxHALD order that his opinions in regard 10 the late
session OF the Legislature might be obtained u VIII
be observed that many Instances he takes entirely
different questions and acts from those expressed
BY Mr. Speaker Hustled and 10 aceran extent crclscs
The action Of that gentleman The following converse
boD, however, will explain ITSELF
mr. Campbell, tho HERALD, and through u the pub
Nc. would DO glad 10 have an expression Of opinion
from you regard tho character Of the last Legisa
ture."
swel can only say that within my political recol-
lection New York has Al time had good Legsla-
ture - this last one. Il Is we'll known that pad
measure could not be passed by u " known. II any
member know OF anything OF doubtful character con-
taiued in bill under consideration Il was only neccs
sAry expose tho fact to the House and twas At
stricken out. II was Assembly composed OF men
who did their own individual thinking although
common thing TO see members comforting with each
other, comparing opinions and exchanging sentiments
in order " arrive at clear understanding Of matters
uu0cr cOuSluoVattOu.
circumstance that such House did not have tho
proper man within itself for leader It has been
said that the House would not follow any mans
lead Ny opinion Is that tho members OF that
body would gladly have hailed the presence Of
man Of true metal and capacity q
eader, but Il Is weak conclusion that .
Would-be leader comoa to when he assumes
That because body would not follow bis lead II would
not recognize any leadership. Tho fact is, majority
OF the Legislature truc 10 themselves and
jealous both OF their rights and reputation. They did
not have full confidence In the men whom circum-
stances and their early actions placed in tho posi-
tions whore they became leaders, far the routine
ofbusiness made It necessity think reorganza-
lion OF The House at the middle or atcr part Of its
session would have been quito different affair from
that OF tho first organization. Had tho acknowledged
ability OF the prominent figures been full harmony
and accord with the temper character and tone Of the
house much more good could nave boon accomplished
1t not however the kind OF house Mr. Hustled had
been accustomed associate with. He recognized to
full the difference between the late Assembly and
those with which he had had previous experience Tor
on every occasion when no left the chair TO take the
floor in favor OF under discussion 1t
happened that the side he advocated badly beaten
every time II was evident the beginning that tho
attempt at leadership the part Of some OF the men,
bers clearly for the best purposes and for that
reason they Jailed Tho House was too quick Of per-
cepton for their purposes
THE POWER OF THE SPEAKER
'sThe Speaker then, in your view, has the
power to advance or retard legislation and to his
influence in = great must be attributed the
passage or defeat Of legislative measuresf"
my observation and experience have taught me that
most Of tho results OF Assembly rest with the
parties behind the desk-that Is to say, with the or
ganixcd power vested in the officers am confident
in my own mind that had there been In the last hours
carnestness the part Of the Speaker to ad-
vance the bills that lay upon his DESK and that in
tho interest OF New York city and should have been
passed. he would have found difficulty in advancing
them 70 final passage. mean to say that the man
Who BY hts position experience and perfect knowledge
OF all parliamentary rules, could push . rapid
transit bill from is introduction by committee to
veto upon its nnal reading within space Of three
our OF the closing days Of session could most
aiuly have procured the results with those othor
measures had he been disposed.
af WAYS THAT DARK
There are many ways known 10 the quick and COM
prchensive mind how to oppose measures while SEEM
ingIy in favor Of them For illustration, introduced
bill for the consolidation of the District In
Nov York city. With the press and taxpayers IL was
! most popular said occasion to the
Speaker, when in his ROOM 4 should like you to aid
In passing my District Court bill going to do
Il, was his reply. When the bill up the first
ZINE on iss final passage IL beaten, receiving only
hny-eight votos sixty-dvo boing necessary. found
that abscntecism the OF defeat instantly
moved reconsideration and lay tho motion on the
table, which was carried Thereafter watched for :
favorable opportunity when there should be full
publican vote, take the bill from the table and re-
eonsiuer the vote ny which Il had been lost
IL /
obliged charge that the business Of the House
very much intcrfered with by abscnteos Il destroyed
confidence and caused Tho frittering away OF much
valuable time The last hours OF the session were
hss approaching. Az last, ON tho Tuesday. think,
tho adjournment, saw the first favorable timo
and 1 moved 10 lake thu bill from the table. 0ppo-
nIon the part Of tho democracy Immediately COM
mcnccd Thc vote to take from the table was reached
aud carried Then came the question Of rcconsidera-
lion. saw there was only ten minutes 20 elapse be-
fore tho hour Of Closing the morning session and u
would not do 70 risk vote. because many mombers
already LEFT the House, had 10 kin timo with
speech Of that length. Aftcr recess tho House was
again convened, with less number present than at tho
morning session. was, therefore, again obliged to
Talk away the time until members came In. After
not sufac,ens members presen. asked Mr. Foster 20
call OF tho House. Tho result vps that tho vote
10 reconsider was carried, having Hxtyone votes.
Then came tho question OF the final passage, requiring
MA nusrxD WAS on rms FLOOR
or the House, voted for the reconsideration, knew
what : struggle was having, being obliged to have
another call OF tho House, and, notwithstanding his
aid when his name WAS called ne nau departed
from the House. Tho bill passed by sIxty-six
votes. all the republicans, except Mr. Hoffman, that
we're present lu lew minutes alter Mr.. Hustled was
again IN the House. Could II be maintained that Mr.
Hustled favored that important reform ~
What The general impression 40 10 the leaders
In tho last Assembly, and who would have, In your
opinion secured the confidence Of the members gcne
raliyf"
ssJudgng from conversations with several members,
am clearly OF the opinion that the general estimate
the would DO leaders OF tho House was like my own
throughout the whole There seemed 70 oe
any bill pass that they did not have some particular
reason for or interest in. Had Judge HoReboom, OF
Columbia county chairman OF the Committees on Gen.
oral Laws not been III and, wi,hs 30 hard workcds
during tho cntro session. have no doubt In my mind
there would have been leader the noor whose ad-
rice and counsels would have been closely followed
Gould he At any time have clt his own force and