New-York tribune., 1877-05-18
ALBANY.
WORK OF THE LEGISLATURE.

NOkh Ot lI1E bENloisAi blsl>'
THE RAILROAD AND TELEGRAPH COMMISSION BILL
DEFEATED IN THE AsSEMBLY-THE DOCK BILL
PAssrD-rHE wooDIN-EIsH CHARrER-HARLEM
PARADE GROUND
IrRoM THE REGULAR CORRESPONDENT OF THE TRIDUNE.l
ALBANY, May 1.-THE bill providing for the
appointment Of a railroad and telegraph commission
similar to that which Massachusetts has proved such
benefit to both the public and the railroads ca'ue Wy
for final vote in the Assembly to-day No sooner hio
the bill been announced than Mr. spuo!a VINO mas oeth
one OF its most determined opponents moved tna' 'ne
epactinc clause be stricken out. Mr.. Alvord sad;
THIS il a vicious bill. We had experience enough
Of such commissioners. We had such COMMISSION io'-
merry consisting Of OF nigh character Out they
failed As general the people themselves are re-
ouired committee and TO it that no great wrong
is committed against themselves. Empower the state
Engineer to do tins work. not how good law you
may frame-you Will surely put man III den OF lions
when you make him a railroad commissioner Where Is
your bank superintendent tOdayi Look ut vour insr-
apcc supcrineuden taint follows the track OF every
man who has been IN that position. Let not devolye
upon a commission the power to do the work OF the
public.
Mr. Gnbcrt-I trust that viii vote against this
bill because OF the railroads think the bDl IN
furious TO its interest The argument is made that We
have had experience before. We have not ina ohcr
commission went down in disgrace told but this
bill guards against that Under that old law one OF the
commissioners represented the railroads, ana tha man
turned commission to the aid or the railroads But
under this bill none Of the commissioners would have
the power TO hold railroad stock be interested in rail-
Uays I'm any way. The strength OF temptation is
in ourselves. Men and should be found who
are above the reach OF corrupt solicitations
Tne success OF the commission will undoubtedly depend
upon the character OF the put in it, 1t VIII do good
work for the people and injury the railroads
said that the people protect themselves. answer
that the very object OF this bill Is to give the people the
means Of doing IT, 1ns commission is to stand as the
tribune OF people the matter of these corporations
1t is not conceived hostility TO the railroads Ihey
ore great public bcnoiactors We are grateful 10 thc
accordingly recognize the fact that they are
controlled by men selfish like ourselves. Tney arc al
ways modified army ready TO defend any point OF at
tack The statement has been made thatn Massachusetts
the commission has been failure. l wrote TO Charles
Francis Adams r the head OF that coinmisson' about
this bill In his reply lie says Il have examined the
bill YOU sent me- and DO NOT hesltte to say i, ti,
slider il very well drawn indeed. Ia taCt Hhu EOtHls
10 crcise in il. 1t is sufficiently broad ana suhcchS
specifc and with the right men commissioners uhder
it, everything desirable TO dccOn llsh hSuI no HVCol
uo. III y ~, ,,, coUntrv Ncyy-York is the money
crtr and sets an example ior the whole country. The
yeffrns and accounts Of the Nec YORK rGoad companies
as ,,c Du5fsLed are mere snare and dsuSiOn-a pa1l'e
Gsgrocf This bill is the first and necessary step toward
their reformation" Mir. Adams also states thdl lhc ls
islature has cOnst mtly increased the powers o.
the commission in Massachusetts. 1t is confessed
by all that tho accounts furnished ~ @ tae
railroads ought he accurate. He THINKS that tne sec
non m Inc Massachusetts aw in this respect Is better
IN is the peoples business know how the alrs o!
these great bubble corporations conducted without
amy infringement upon their rights. We have not ohy
theory in favor Of this law, but also practice earhCy
believe that il competent men are selected the people Oi
the state will be greatly benefited, ana incidentally te
railroads will be benefited. SAY that the rdhIo1us N
Dc ben2uted on tHc EOuhl lhdI NY ~ -
be of advantage 10 all concerned. This is III accordance
Eir spiuola then Withdrew ms motion to strike
out the enactmg clause, and yGuns upon l voic 1Ie
hin began. Mr. Gilbert, upon giving MS Note
I'm favor Of the bill, said that the very All
Tculty Of obtaining hearing for the blll ana
le uou II was evidence OF the enormous lnduence OF
tle railroad corporations. The bill Was lost BY ie io-
lowing vote. lIcl ubncans in rouan Democrats ID