New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-01-22
ApATHETIo LEGISLATORS.

LITTLE INTEREST SHOWN At ALBANY IN REGARD TO
woRK-THE REPORT OF THE SENATE COMMITTEE
ON CITIES AWAITED FORECAST OF PROBABLE
ACTION.
IFRoM TaE REGULAR CORRESPONDENT or rHB rRmUsBl
ALBANY, Jan, 21.-The present Legislature has
shown such slight interest in legislation that II 1t
were any other deliberatve body the prediction
could be safely made that short session would be
held Legislatures in session, however seem to in
spire thoughts of law-making AID law-amendment,
bills embodytng tho ideas thus generated pour in,
and in few weeks members find all their
time consumed by their new duties. There
10 surprising lack Of bills affect
ing New-York and Brooklyn; and the city
members seem unanimously Of the opinion that no
great notifications Of the charters Of these cities
will be proposed. Poverty OF thought respecting
municipal reform has especially distinguished the
Democratic members trom New-York; their chief
bills being 10 grant permission to the Commits
sioner Of Public Works to erect q few more public
| bathsi
Great curiosity Is expressed regarding Senator
McCarthy's report on the result of the investigation
| of a committee headed by him in relation TO
| the expenses Of the several departments
of the City Government of New-York. Gov
ernor CornelPs opinion that at least one
third of the officials of New be wisely mus
tered out of service will receive ample support from
| this report. Some members are of the opinion that
| the extravaganee of the New-York Government viii
be so clearly shown in this report that the Lelsa-
ture although reluctantly, will be compelled to
undertake energeticaly. by means of bills, the re-
ducton of the expenses of the burdened city, It's an
unfortunate fact that many Of the city departments
that are extravagant their have eager
champions among the members Of the Legislature.
Undoubtedly officials of these departments aided In
the election of the members, and expect to DO re-
warded by defence of their interests in the Legs
Iature Moreover, when Deedful department offices,
with large salaries can DO used as brides to AFFECT
the decision of a Legislature seemingly bent upon
making reduction, the pathway to more eco
| nomlcal administration of New-YOrk is beset
with dicuties and without the support Of sn ear
nest public opinion the subject genuine retormers
| in the Legislature alwaysfi-l
The much-needed reform of the laws on taxation,
sadly muddled by the Legislature of 1880, is also
regarded with the same apathy. Few members
show an interest in the matter. None have except
the members of the JOINT Taxation Committee OF
last year. The result OF their work was so dubious
that the members of the last Legislature do not
inclined to intrust them again with the same task
Mr. Steele, who was chairman of the Assembly's
Tax Committee last year. fortnight ago introduced
a resolution for the revival of the JOINT Taxation
| Committee. The committee was to consist of three
Senators and five Assemblymen. Coupled with the
resolution was q declaration that the committee
| should cooperate wtk the Governors lax Commits
| sion when it should be appointed. IL was Mr.
SteeleJs idea to introduce subsequently resolution
| authorizing Governor Cornell to appoint such
| Commission, as had heen recommended In hlSannual
| Message Senator Forster. III the Senate, ha0 the
] oIon.e in the Assembly resolution regarding action
! with the Governors Commission stricken out and
the Numbers of the committee increased TO hve SEN
| ators and seven Acknowledgment No interest what
| aver vas shown In the Senate while he was making
| this modification. The resolution Is now back IN
| tne Assembly waiting It's action. Meanwhile Mf
Steele man introduced his resolution for the appoint
| ment by the Governor of Taxation Com
| mission OF five experts. IL ~ now MS
| purpose to unite the two resolutions. one
! Tor tue appointment of a Commission by the Gov
eraor and the other Of a Joint legislative commit.
tee and send them to the Senate Tor approval. Ii
this fails he will separate them aud Try to secure
o.. approval separately. lie states that 1t Is not
his idea TO have the commission and the committee
| work together, bat merely 20 advise with each
other from nme to time. He intends TO call up the
| combined resolutions on Monday night
Most OF the bills introduced thus far have been for
| the amendment of the 6ode of Civil Procedure.
Senator Robertson states that none Of these amend
ments are OF nature; that when they reach
his Judiciary Committee he Intends 20 combine
them all in bill. In reply TO the criticism that
new Code ought nos to need amendment so soon, he
| says that there was a vast number OF amendments
| &C once to the Code of 1S49 and over 400 amend
meuts to the Revised Statutes.