The New York herald., 1877-01-14
TIKI STATE CAPITAL.
''Old Salt" and the Bald Headed
Eagle of Westohester.
THE PREYERS ON PLACE AND PAY.
Purdy's squeeztr for Crushing Truth Out
Of Witnesses.
albany. Jan. Is. 1877.

ALBANY Jan. Is, 1871.
Both houses, after transacting the smallest possible
amount OF business adjourned yesterday until Monday
evening. The Senate in session fifteen minutes.
the most noticeable feature OF proceedings being
the presentation OF petition from Senator selkrcg
from 1855 ''electors OF Tiogs county calling for the
suppression OF the liquor traffic ana asking that law
bc passed inncling for the first offence penalty OF
from five to ten years any person caught selling as
much hmblcIul OF whiskey for the second offence
ten to twenty years. and for the third offence twenty
To 100 years for life.
now THE WIND BLOWS
An Incident significant OF the feeling that prevails
between somc OF the leading men on the republican
side trapspred to-day when Mr. Hustled reported back
favorably and without amendment from the Ways aud
Mcans the b,o appropriate $30O 900 Tor the compile
lion Of the census report Mr.. Alvord said that
energetic tone OF voice OF MIS- which invariably ndi.
Gates that his temper is up that he was absent from
the committee when the report adopted. but that
II he had boen present he would have voted
1t down, and he desired enter his
dissent against 1t because he believed the
expenditure uncalled for and unwarranted.
There was more than this to account for his opposi-
ton. Gangrenc has SGT into the old mans wounds
and made him irasciblc, not but that he was entirely
right protesting against this expenditure OF $30 0OO
but he viows Hustled the light OF rival. and when
ever he sees chance to hit him he takes It, Then
Hustled has an idea that Aivord took half dozen
votes ol his over to Soan and the result that any
thing but amcable feeling exists between them.
A,vord swcars that bill shall never pass unless his
lungs give out, while Hustled regards the old mans
threats as tho impOtcnt ravngs oil scnility. 1t Is
still more interesting from the TACT that the Speaker
on tho fence as regards the Two, no doubt rejecting,
IKE Captain MacAeaIh How happy could be with
either were tothcr dear charmer away
THE LUST FOR PLACE
In these days of the there itching ten
dency among tho country members TO send up resou-
tons to the Clerk Tor the appointment OF this and
that as assistant TO somebody ~ u dozen
resolutions Of this character offered to-day, all
bareiaced attempts swudle tho treasury under pre-
tence that the business OF the Legislature needed
hands. Here Is sample resolution
in tho wrapping department John smith be appointed
assistant to the superin tendeDt
The abuse OF appointing assistants aud extra assist
ants 10 every petty official has become intoerabc aud
OF General Spnoas band OF six relormers should
protest asainstM it, IL Is painful 10 the cloud Of do
nothings who stand In tho neighborhood of tho
Speakers desk gaping idly all the day long and
executing any harder manual labor than drawing their
pay AS charity should begin at home reform should
start with the Legislature.
IMPORTANT BUSINESS.
Tho.e bills, two, OF any impor.
tance introduced. The of gas bills promised by
Mr.. Peter Mitchell may DC too much OF good thing
One bill ought to cover the question, and threatening
ga scrieS' looks too much like threatening the
panes.
A MOST EXTRAORDINARY BILL
y,
that Legislative investigations lose halt OF hcr fcacy
by OF fear tho part of witnesses Of being
Addressing himself to the question how invcst.
cations may be rendered most thorough and complete
as to how Witnesses may be squeezed dry As lemon
ana every ota Of evidence within the compass OF their
memories brought 10 lght-he framed bill which
introduced to-day that certainly. II enacted into law
ought 10 accomplish the full wishes OF his heart.
section declares that no answer or other pleading
ot any party, and discovery evidence obiained
by means any judicial proceeding from any party or
country, and evidence disclosure made by any
ness before any special or standing committee of
either branch OF the Legislature of the of New
York. shall be given in evidence or In any manner
used against such party or witness or his property
estate in any court in the Slate OF New YORK, any
proceeding BY or before any officer OF sald Slate
OF auy county, city or town thereof, for the
iorcement Of any penalty or forfeiture by reason Of
any act or omission OF sucn party or witness.
The foregoing section nods out strong announcement
10 the tLnd anu weak-knced to come forward when.
ever legislative committee Of investigation stands IN
need OF their testimony and 10 unbosom themselves
1uily and freely. Butt not content with securing
much, which, however, Is little or nothing
what is guaranteed under tho old common law of Eng
land Mr. purdy goes further aud to make sure that his
witnesses shall Tell the truth, and the whole lock-
stock and barrel OF the truth, proceeds IN
Section to provide that no party or witness before
any committee in SAID State any OF said CON-
mittecs shall hereafter be excused from any question
the ground that true answer would teud 10 crimi
nate or degrade such party or witness.
That section will strike the average mind having
the ring Of star chamber decree, and must be fatal
10 the bill
u
Ibraccd In section for 1t declres that any party
witness before said court, committee or grand jury
who shall wlluly refuse TO answer any question put
by any Judge any oi said courts, by any member
oi any OF said committees or grand jury, shall be
deemed guilty OF misdcmeanor. and on conviction
thereof must be imprisoned at hard labor for period
ui not less than more than Ave years. and
must pay line OF not less than 81 nor more than
$4,000. On refusing 10 testify 1t stall he the
duIy o the judge OF said court 10 forth
with commit said party or witness to the
custody Of the Sheriff oil The county, where such re-
jury and II such refusal shall take place beoic any
Oi SAID committees II shall bc tho duty oil the chair
man thereof to forthwith make complaint before a
committing magistrate, order that the offender may
be apprenendcd and brought TO justice
iuls extraordinary bill, Mr.. Purdy says, Is intended
10 clear he way Tor the operations OF such legislative
investigating committees may be this
son from Albany heretofore such committees have
b en- baed at every step by the reluctance positive
refusal OF witnesses to testify, but II Is extremely
doubtful II the gain IN more ample testimony that Mr..
Purdy concmpatcs VIII compensate Tor the blow 10
Individual freedom and sclrcspcct which the enforce.
mcnt OF his dcspotic scheme wouc inrict
LEGisLATioS FOR BROOKLYN
promises to be confused usual. IL IS amazing what
small wircpulcrs shape the desnes OF that very largo
CITY. some one horse ward politician comes up here
and gives his orders to the enlightened
brooklyn generally has 10 the Assembly with the airs
O, an aut0crat a named Fisher, Alderman OF
tue Twcniy-thlrd ward OF brooklyn, was pointed out
to-day on the floor OF the House. buzzlng 'rhe dele
gallon" anc no doubt lnstructing aud commanding
tncm how act on such anu such bills affecting tho
Cuy Of Churches. New York Aldermen have ,mpu.
dcncc enough, but none OF them ever presume lar
us this from Fisher.
THE USUAL suNCoMBE
The question of aGjuurnng over I'LL Monday drcw
out good deal OF bunconibe from Alvoru, Spnoa
few others, aud The upshot as usual was that they
adjourned the od-ashioncd way and Alv0rds cry OF
reform snothered