New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-05-25
7HE LEGTSL4TURE.

We said the other day that the passage Of
the Charter Reform amendments 10 the Con-
Sttutiou would make il impossible to call the
LEGISLATURE of 1877 a failure. The Lcgisla-
ture has not only fulfilled this test which
public sentiment imposed upon 1t, but, IN
other ways. 1t has done its best to deserve
q favorable verdict at the hands Of the
people. The approval Of these amendments
makes it possible that they may 20
into operation two years earlier Tran
they could have DONE if either by open
opposition or iurtiyc Geay their passage dur
ing this session had been frustrated. It is say
ing little to say that this action has placed
this city above ali others, under Obligations
to this legislature which none OF the great
cities will he likely to forget. But the Lcgi>-
lature underworld to do even more than this
While The amendments were slowly forcing
their way through the two houses the same men
who were seeking to incorporate these reforms
in the Constitution were seeking also to enact
some Of the more important Of them by bill,
thus 20 make the relief immediate Is well as
permanent. Perhaps this was not strictly the
motive of those who framed and urged the
Omrilus bill and the Noodin Charter, but
il was the motive Of that public opinion
which favored the passage both OF the
bills and the amendments, though the former
were ONLY added instances of the outside IN
reference with the affairs OF this city which
the latter were designed TO bring to an end.
Unfortunately, however. the first of these bills
was used somewhat for parts purposes. and
there were doubtful places in it or which
questions Of cOnstitutonity and cXpcdcncF
could be raised. COY. Robinson, being natr-
ally anxious to raise just such questions,
ayailed himself OF all his opportunities,
and slew the bill. 1t remains to be
seen whether the W0odm Charter viii have
a better fate. II il should not, the sum OF
important legislation for this city will bc in
deed small, the bills affecting the Coroncrs ana
the Commissioner Of Jurors ana the bill abol-
ishing the Marine Court being among the most
conspicuous. This will bc a great relief 10 the
oHIcc-holdcrS. who find themselves secure III
their places for year to come at least; it is
also perhaps a relief to the taxpayers, vino
may be disappointed that so little has been
done to tighten their burdens, but who have
nevertheless reason to rejoice that little has
been added to them.
This years experience is but the experience
Of former years The greatest favor the
LEGISLATURE can do orr cities, even when they
are stricken down with debt and taxation, is
to leave Them alone. \ large share of the
bills which the Legislature might do good by
passing are defeated, and a good share Of
those which are finally passed are vetoed. The
result is that all our disturbance and agitation
20 for nothing, and we are fortunate If
the end OF the session finds us as
well Of as>whcn We began. But there are
subjects of great Importance to the
whole State with which the Legislature
should have dealt with thoroughncSs and in
liberal spirit. The recent numerous failures OF
insurance companies inspired an attempt to
pass general insurance law to enforce the
lessons of these disasters. Instead, a.aw was
carried through one house which WAS marked
10y so many defects that its value seemed
ploblematical, and its failure in the other
house excited perhaps as much congEtultion
as regret The banks, whose burdens have, in
a lesser degree, excited public attention, Will
get 10 relief. The new Capitol has been the
subject of the same blind and yaciating policy
that has marked its progress from the first
The last Legislature changed the plans from
old 10 new; this Legislature orders a return
from the new to the old, at a loss of nearly
half million dollars. The new Code episode