The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-03-31
Corporation IntrigueS---TacticS Of the
LObby---General Undercurrent.
THE RAILROADS AND THE PEOPLE
An Advance Against the Monopo-
lists and Corruptionists.
DIR. HAYES TUNNEL BILL.


plished. On the surface we have had good deal of
talk some oratorical displays the necessity for
reduction of public expenses, the introduction OF
flood of bills aimed at railroad. insurance and other
corporations; the usual multiplicity of "reform"
measures, together with reasonable number of
striking bills. The regular routine of Legislative
business in the Senate and Assembly is monstrous
the extreme. What takes place in open session or
In open committee meeting is. general rule par
ticularly devoid of interest The newspaper CORE
spondent who looks for material for his dispatches
in those quarters must find much that is dull and
unnterosting. The schemes, jobs. corruptions. po-
ltical wirepulling. lobbying and all other peculiar
incideIrtals which go to make up the undercurrent
of Legislative session here must be looked for else
where. The soil to be delved is ample and the
product,of little benefit to State or individual.
LEADING ISSUES
Durngthe present session have endeavored from
week to week to keep the public mind familiar with
the issues. plans and principal before this
Legislature for consideration. The people of the
tire State should pay attention to the consideration.
Every citizen is more or less interested in way
or another. The 100000 voters of the State. above
all. shonld famiarze themselves with the leading
bills before the Legislature at each successive
gathering The present session is probably about
important if not more important, than any which
has preceded it. glance at the prominent questions
WlSe-nuSI
truth of this statement. The following list will give
an idea of our situation in this respect
/. The work of the Legislature must determine. to
considerable extent, the result of the State cam
pagn next November 1t is conceded, too, that New
York is the pivotal State affecting the Presi-
Dental contest Of 1880.
.. Both Senate and Assembly are largely republic
1t remains to be whether the corporation
patronage ana money will influence legislation,
for the past dozen years. in smotherng all reform
ntory measures introduced in the interest of the
masses. Can the party of "high moral ideas" afford
70 SO before the people in November with such
stigma uponther escutcheon?
3. win the Central Railroad. through its alleged
paid agents in both houses and the influence of the
lobby. succeed. frequently before. in choking off
Ill adverse observation-disclosures that might de-
crease its tremendous income and intended to BEN
eft the agricultural. commercial and other indus
trial branches of business throughout the State?
A. Will the Insurance Ring be able to protect itself
much longer against the onslaughts of aroused
public sentiment. evidenced in the attacks of Gov
ernor Robinson against the Insurance Department
and the vigorous blows evelled at such corruptions
by the young Legislative chiefs. led by the
"Little Giant of Oswego," George B. Sloan
8. Is it possible to break up the system of "ma-
chimes" in poltics-the republican slate machine
in Particularly which certain Senator'S and Assem-
blymen are held in the grasp of corporations. aided
by the lobby and one or two political leaders
6. Is there any way of banishing from Albany the
Infamous lobby which brazens its business openly
around the halls of the Capitol and in the barrooms,
vestibules and private parlors of the hotels ? Is
there no method of bringing to justice the men and
the corporations who sadopt such means to accom-
plish their ends I?
The constitution Of the State emphaticay directs
the Legislature to pass proper superintendent bill
at the conclusion of every ten years census The
republican majority for the past three years have
openly trampled uponths provision They refuse
to New York, Brooklyn and other large cities their
proper quota of representation in the and
sembly. Is there way to compel obedience to the
constitution in this respect?
8. The fanatics from the country wish to prohibit
entirely the sale of liquors in Cities while they
raise hops for its manufacture and keep black bottles
secretly in their own cupboards Can they not be
compelled to give New York fair excise law or are
they waiting for the chink OF the lobby's coina
8. Is it possible at this session to pass bill by
which railroad. insurance, banking. express gas.
ferry and other corporations cannot longer escape
payment Of their share of personal and real taxes
to relieve the struggling farmer in the country and
lower the taxes the farmer and send his produce
to market over the railroad at much lower figures
than at present, while the latter would have to pay
less rent for his small in the tenement and
procuI~ food and clothing for his children ut much
less cost than at present
no. Will it be possible to preventthe army of over
paid officials in New York drawing over $40 600 900
annually from the city treasury. rom raising o
ruption fund to defeat legislation in
this direction? .
IL. Can Mr.. Hayes push through his Tunnel bill
intended materially benefit terminal facilities in
New York against the Central Railroad monopoly
despite the immense influepceof that grasping
poraon and its horde OF lobby iss, legal retainers
and Legislative wirepulers?
ANSWERING THE GREAT coSUNDRuMs
These a few of the main, live questions OF the
Legislature of 1879 There IL nothing sensational or
incorrect about the statements. l know OF what 1
WRITE and feel that the peopie-of the state should
carefully study the situation IL they want to benefit
their business, their families and their government
by sending Representatives TO Albany who VIII not
teres,, no doubt mas Deeh esxnedngiy lax IN such