New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-03-29
AFFAIRS AT ALBANY.

THE BAKER RAILWAY COMMISSION BILL
A LIVELY DEBATE IN THE NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
TO THE BILL
iFRoM TIE REGULAR CORRESPONDENT OF THE TRIBUNE.
ALBANY, March 2S.--The bills for the crea-
ttOD OF railroad commission seem doomed TO have
stormy career In the Legislature The question to how
the commissioners shall be appointed Is the cause
OF the trouble majority of the Repubi-
cans scem to favor the nomination OF the
commissioners by the Governor and their confirmation
by the Senate But there Republicans who
bitterly opposed to this scheme and earnestly in
favor OF the election of the the people,
The mass OF the Democrats opposed to the Governor
being ntrusted with the power nominating the
missioners. Their opposition Is solely on politi'
cal grounds; they unwilling to authorize
Republican to nominate the commissioners,
even If the confirming power, the Senate, is Democratic
1t should be said, however that Governor Cornes
cess in getting Isaac V. Baker confirmed superin-
endent Of Prisons by the aid Of this Democratic
Senate leads to fear Oh the part OF ma
jorty OF the Democrats that he might have a similar
success with Republican railroad commissioners.
orty OF the Democrats therefore, to be in favor Of
the election of the commissioners by the people They
arc not confident enough OF their control Of tho Lcgs-
lature to select that as the appointing power.
The attitude of all the factions clearly shown to-
day In the Assembly during the debate over Mr. Bakers
Railroad Commission bill. This is the first railroad com
mission bill which has yet escaped from committee 1t
OF the mdest of four five. 1t provides for the
appointment OF three Railway Commissioners by the
Governor, with the consent of the Senate Mr..
Higgins Of Niagara, put In the chair and tho bill
was then considered In Committee of the Whole Mr..
Baker asked that his bill should first be read through
Only few sections had been read when
Mt. Murphy, of New-York moved that the
committee "do now rise and report progress on
this bill" Everyone looked surprised. " wish TO have
anh ffn1 70 10
Mr Murphy in explanation. The motion was defeated
deal of hostility to the bill. Mr. Murphy indignant.
challenge the count" he shouted this Is either o
Democratic measure or Republican one. want to
hnd out where the Democrats stand lie was ruled out
order. Mr.. Baker hereupon made earnest speech
iii favor OF his b satug the usual arguments that are
gerty, who may be considered tho Tammany
leader moved as an amendment to the pill that 1d
partisan Board consisting OF two Republicans ana
two Democrats should be appointed by the Governor
aud Senate Before vote could be taken on this propo,
ston Mr. Brooks moved that the committee should rise
and report progress on the bill
In the Assembly, to every ones a,tonishment; Mr;
Baker moved that the Committee of the Whole should
be discharged from the further consideration OF the BILL
and tnat it should bo ordered to third reading Mr: NJ
Alvord protested against such speedy action on the
bill He said that he might vote for the blll
+ was cTp aTH y hear %4 1pv d declare hs
the bill political measure. If it was it was one one
ydnr SnF' b GHta RdrrMfs M
my bil" replied Mr.. Baker hrmly, Mr.
hsS'pa iSs S SSiri paeeG IN the hands Of Republican
Governor the power Of nominating the commission Ar
Baker interrupted him. remarking: And Democratic
Senate has the power OF continuation alr Newman
replied "Fm not So that senate is democratic
Mr. Raines spoke IN favor OF the bill In lis present FORM
The debate closed with frantic speech by hf
McCleland, a Comfy Democracy member from Nc"'
York, in opposition to tho bill. He charged MI HaKei
with having made a Communist speech" In iaY0r O
the b II.
Mr Bakers motion TO order the bin TO third reading
WAS defeated overwhelmingly. Only five men voted IL
it's favor and 104 voted against it. This action certainly
indicates that in its present shape the Dill II NOT halo
factory to the members What will be the direction OF
the amendments predict. Az tue felucs
of Mr Baker the bill made a special order Tor tues
day next when is agreed another vote shall DC taKeL
| on H.