New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-05-26
THE RAILWAY COMMISSION,
THE BILL PASSES BOTH HOUSES.


slider the Baker Railway Commission bill this morn
ing it was found that Senator Jhomay's resolution
that temporary railwsy commissioners should be
named had the precedence. The resolution had
been introduced at the suggestion Of the Repub-
lican Senators, and they therefore gave 1t
cordial support. They quickly discovered. however,
that it was an Improbable compromise to the Reg
ular Democrats who have prevented the passage
of the bill the past fortnight by refusing TO vote.
The resolution was adopted by the combined Re-
publican and Tammany vote, II; but tho votes OK
thirteen Regular Democrats recorded against 10
showed that compromise they did not accept it.
They quickly disclosed their attitude. Senator
Thomas moved that, in order to secure sufficient
time for the Chamber of Commerce. the Board Of
Trade and transportation and the Anti-Monopoly
League to select the Anti-Monopoly tempo
rary commissioner the further consideration of the
bill should be postponed until Monday next. One
of the Regular Democrats, Senator Titus. instantly
said that the motion to postpone the consideration
of the bull would serve in very proper way to
kill it, He then continued: " 1t is not in the
power of any one to get the Democratic members
of the Legislature together and compel them to Sc
lect Democratic temporary commissioner pro-
vided in the resolution"
Senator Jacobs followed with severer criticism
of the adjournment motion. "This motion" ho
said. sis deliberate attempt to kill the bill am
getting to believe the stories l have heard that
there not over two three Senators who are
sincerely in favor of the passage of this bill.'
Other speeches by the Regular Democrats showed
that they would not name any Democrat for tempo
rary commissioner even if they were given Q
months time.
Senator Pitts had The sagaclty to bring their at
tItudc clearly to the attention of the Republican
Senators: lie said: "We must understand the sit
uation clearly. would like to know from Senator
Jacobs if the Democratic Senators will suggest a
name for temporary commissioner" Senator Jacobs
replied: 1--WE will not" Senator, Pitts
and said: IF the Democratic Senators will
not vote for the bill in its present shape
it useless for us to postpone the consideration OF
the bill until Monday in the hope that they VIII
then vote for it,
But Senator Thomas was persistent. lie said II
would like TO ask the Democratic Senators II they
wish the consideration of this matter postponed un-
til Monday ~ Senator Jacobs replied We do
not We desire to go on with it now. We have
people shall elect these Railroad Commissioners,
or that the next Governor shall appoint tnem. No
other propositions Will be accepted by u.s."
Seeing that the Regular Democrats had the power
to defeat the bill unless of their propositions
was accepted, the Republicans resolved to submit
to the demand. When, therefore, Senator Jacobs
moved that an amendment should be adopted con-
ferring the right upon the Governor elected next
fall of nominating the Railroad Commissioners, tho
one of the Republican Senator's, Mr.. Lynde pur-
posey refraining from voting. The bill was then
passed by vote Of 80 to l. The single
negative vote was given by Senator Mccarthy.
There was one member absent, Senator klernan.
The bill substantially passed by the unanimous
vote Of Republicans and Democrats While the
vote was being taken Senators Lynde, Russell and
Ellsworth, Republicans, praised tho administration
OF Governor Cornell, and expressed thcir regret
that the authority TO name the commissioners had
not been conferred on so well-tried an officer
now THE BILL PASSED THE ASSEMBLY.
As Assembyman Baker saw that the
Senate had passed his bill he made preparations to
have the Assembly concur at once in the Senate
amendments lie had the bill hurried to tho
Assembly Chamber, and there as soon as he had
opportunity at the afternoon session, he called it
up. He had already canyassed the Assembly and
had found the Democrats willing to abandon
their idea of month ago that the
people alone were worthy of being
trusted to appoint the Railway Commissioners and
ready to take the risk of having Democratic Gov
enor make the appointments. When he called up
the bill hc shut Oft all debate by moving that the
Senate amendments should be agreed TO and on that
lie moved the previous question. Loud protests
were made by many members against this summary
course Mr. AlyOr fercey demanded the yeas and
nays ordering thepreviOus question. lie wac de-
feated, and the previous question was ordered by
vote of 90 to 80. The voting then began on
the bill. 1t was quickly revealed that
many members who would otherwise have voted
for the bill were on the point of voting against it
account of the remarkable provision to secure the
appointment of an Anti-Monopoly Railway Com
missioner. This provision requires the next Gov
emor to nominate for Commissioner a man recon-
meuded by theexecutive committees of the Cham
ber of Commerce of the State of New-York, tho
Board of Trade and transportation and the Anti
wa
course of the voting that there was no such body
as the Chamber of Commerce of the State Of
New-York" although there "Chamber
of Commerce of the City of New-YorkD This error,
however did not seem to deter anyone from voting
for the bill Naturally. nothing was said by the
voting politicians on the other restriction which re-
quires the Governor to appoint the remaining two
Commissioners from the Republican and Democratic
parties respectively
The taking of tho vote was constantly interrupted
by speeches. Mr.. Alvord thought the bill ridicu-
lous one. Mr.. Baker. of course. defended the bill.
Mr.. Chamberlain said that the bill should be en-
titled An act to consolidate the railroads Of the
State for political PURPOSES Mr.. Chaplin thought
that there was popular demand for tho
bill. Mr.. Puney, q Democratic critic, said:
81 think that with equal pro priety we could have
had Commissioned appointed on the recommends
ton of the Greenbackers, the Prohibitionists end
the strong minded women yet he voted for tbs
bill. General George III. Sharpe said: No friend
of this bill will recognize IN this grotesqne
the bill he would have passed. The evil of pasoing
such bill is that it's influence will be felt for
years after in the difficulty of passing good meas
ure on the same subject
Mr. Raines said that the bill threw tine Railway
Commission into the pool of politics. This was
most unfortunate and he could MT vote for tho
bill Mr. Roosevelt said: "To have the third Rail.
way Commissioner appointed BY irresponsible per.
sons is as absurd ~ IL would be 10 impower the
Mutual Gasght Company 10 make the appoint
ment | think tho present Legislature shows al ex-
traordnary lack of intellect"
The bill passed by a vote OF rs 10 80. Tho veto
,ras % fellows lRenuhlcaus in rufnau- D~mccrxfa