New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-06-21
THE SWINGS BANKS LOBBYIST

AN INDIGNANT LETTER FROM THE CHAIRMAN or
TIE ASSEMBLY BANK COMuTrEE-NO SERVICES
WHATEVER PERFORMED By MR.. BRADFORD
RHODES.
Assembyman Myron A. Mckee of Herkimer
County Chairman of the Assembly Bank Committee, has
addressed letter all the savings banks in the State
with reference the proposal to compensate Mr. Brad
ford Rhcdes for securing savings bank legislation during
the last session The following the substance Of the
letter:
feel constrained to state that believe Mr. Rhodes TO
be IN Justly entitled to dollar OF compen-
sat0n for any alleged services, either for securing or
preventing egSatiOn in regard to savings BANKS during
the last session OF the Legislature. Toe Assembly Com
mittee Banks framed bill embodyng, rs the com
mittec thought, all the necessary amendments to the
General Savings Bank law In this work they received
valuable assistance from some savings BANK officers oi
experience ana IalthIuhesS ana from me bd1h DtI,t
ment The bill moved as rapidly pending legisa-
ton would admit ana was considered IN committee Oh
the Whole before any OF the Bank Committee naa seen
Mr. Rhodes. Mr.. Rhodes appeared before our
committee, and never communicated with It; nor had |
seen NM or received any comhuneatlou rom MN, ui
hi the bill on the preferred calendar in the Assem-
bly,. The course of the bill aiterward was regular, aud
the regular order Of legislation. Its provisions were
mcrtor0us and III the interest OF the security OF deposi
tors many OF them had been demanded by the public
press even previous the assembling of the Legislature.
There was reasonable obstructng opposition TO it,
its nal passage in the Assembly. The Senate refusing
To concur in all Of the Assembly amendments 70 the SEN
one meeting Of that committee had. at which the
matters Of difference were speedily adjusted and the re-
which reports agreed toand all was done. so far
the Committee on Banks OF either House knew, with
out the ala OF NJ. RhOde.'s advice or influence
About the middle or latter part OF April Mr.. Rhodes
called upon during "a session OF the House. INTRO
duced him 10 such other members OF the Assembly Bank
Committee happened 10 be at hand. lie inquired as
TO the status OF the Savings Bank bill. gave him full
information at the time, and aiterward nom time To
time replied 10 his communications IN regard To ITS
progress surprising he wanted the Information Tor use
in his paper The safeguard At the time he called on
he said the bill very satisfactory 80 the ocers
Of savings banks in tho City OF Newlork, aud lett
with petition, asking for the passage OF the bull
told HIM that too late for the petition 10 De OF any
service that It would not be needed as there was no OPP
position to the bill, and that apprehended no trouble
upon final passage. Therefore, since all the real work
was DONE not only without the aid or advice OF MT
Rhodes, but before committee or s members knew
OF the exis Of that gentleman cannot understand
how entitled TO credit for the inception, progress
and ultimate incorporation OF the amendments aud
believe wrong Will be done 10 dep0sltos II they are
made TO pay lobbyist under any circumstances. Ii
bill viii not pass upon its merits 1t ought never TO be en-
acted II the experience, ability and fidelity Of savings
bank officers to their trust and tho Bank Department are
moi sufficient to aid and insure the OF the bank
committees M such legislation, perhaps more skilled
TALENT must be hired at the cost Of depOHOrs Upon
the whole il seems that Mr.. Rh0des's energy"
was only made manifest after his intelligence" sug
gested 10 him that field for profit open for him. II
Ro could successfully dupe the Association OF Savings
Bank Officers" Us apparently ne has.