New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-04-05
A RAILWAY COMMISSION.
DISCUSSION IN THE LEGISLATURE.

DISCUSSION IN THE LEGISLATURE.
WARM OPPOSITION TO TIE MEAsURE-FIGHTING FOR
PATRONAGE-sEvERAL AMENDMENTS VOTED
powN-A CIVIL ENGINEER TO DE ON THE COM
MISSION.
IRON THE REGULAR CORRESPONDENT OF THE TRIBUNR.l
ALBANY, April 4.-Mr. Bakers Railroad Com
mission bill debated by the Assembly from the be-
ginning TO the end Of ts session to-day The bill Is the
moderate OF any OF the bills that are designed to
bring the railroads under closer supervision by the
State. II It Is compelled to face such a fire OF
criticism what chance would there be OF the Tar
more radical measures meeting the approval OF
the legislature Yet the representatives OF the
persons who have been indusriousy sgitatns against
railroads for several years dissatisfied with It,
The very moderate terms In which the Hepburn Com
drew the bill may perhaps be the source OF THIS
dissatisfaction. The Anti-Monoposts, headed by MT
Thurbcr long for the provisions of the George
railroad commission law. They even eeem to long ior
some personal control o. tho railroad commissioners
Erastus Brooks gave oountenance To TINS desire 'o'
by moving amendment to the Baker Dill 'hat uio
Governor should be compelled TO select as one OF to
railroad commissioners man recommended py INC
National Autobiography League OF New-forK anu
some other commercial bodies. The Assembly uecASHci'
refused to comply with Mr.. Thurber's request.
A large section OF the Assembly, chiefly Democrhts'
favored the naming OF the commissioners w '"o oe
lature itself Mr. Armstrong, OF washington Ooui'!'
headed little band OF Republicans having 'ho '"
oninjon He offered all amendment providing Tor the
appontmcnt Of u "non-psrtsan commission consisting
Of two Republicans and two Democrats. SiDgnlariy the
men he selected were the choice OF the Democratic
caucus on Thursday last. Several amendments "eTe
ped ON top OF this one Mr.. Haggerty proposed that
the Governor should be authorized TO appoint Win
the consent Of the Senate, three commissioners one
Renuhlican one Democrat and experienced In
railroad business" politics not mentioned General
George H. Sharpe then named as substitute of Doth
tha rnchn n
missioner He described the happy results tnat mao
followed the concentration OF power IN one and
hands when applied the care OF the state Prisons anu
the cement Of the State canals lie tnonget lnaI
railroad commission was danger1 b iood nv tho
throat Such being the case great care ought 70 NC
taken 10 define responsibility. An attempt Was Delns
n1de TO make the bin a partisan measure MI Cham
berlan supported General Snarpes sHpsuuSo, ,hs,i
sneaker Alvord also supported General Sharpes epsu
,nt saving that the diffusion of power among three
railroad commissioners would defeat the purpose OF the
Sneaker Patterson said that he believed majority Of
the Assembly favored Railroad Commission Dill nG'
there were divided counsels 1t required no DON
ness to say that majority OF the Inc, Assem- assem-
bly, not willing to connue 20 ne coIps g%or
CorneII Still no was yet in favor of the appointing
power being vested in the Governor; only ne w0ula
have power given in the present BIZ 10 the Governor
who should be elected the coming fall General sharpe
swiftly replied that of course the Democrats desired
securing the naming of the railroad commissioners ny
elecing a Governor next fall. Mr.. Armstrongs amend
then defeated by vote OF 50 to 5S ana MI
Haggerty's by d still larger vote.
been acted upon out Erasius BTooks slipped
other amendment. 1t provided for the appointment OF
three commissOneTs-One Republican, one Democrat,
and commits sOner recommended jointly by the NATIONAL
Anti Monopoly League the Chamber OF Commerce ana
the Board of Trade and Transportation OF New-York.
Mr. AyOrd said that the amendment would gave into the
hands of enemies Of the railroads the power 10 ZANE
the commissioners whereas the Legislature had
been holding o balance between the two FORCES.
Mr. Hunt jefferson said that General Sharpe puf-
posed power into the hands of person whom the
people could hold responsible, while Mr. Brooks favored
IL IN the hands of the Anti Monopoly League
This league IN his opinion, had some OF the essential
features OF the Commune OF France MI HaSgerty, III
reply warmly denied that the Anti-MOnopOsts were
COMMUNISTS He then read long list OF names OF per
that he said belonged to the Autobiography party
Mr. Hunt replied that he suspected many OF the men
named Horace b. Caiin among the rest did not belong
should like know If the Legislature purposes TO euDst
Governor Cornell three irresponsible Boards or
Trade. Mr. NOyes member OF the Hepburn committee,
said he thought that the Governor should solely be
entrusted with the power OF appointing the commission
Mr.. BroOkss amendment was then defeated by vote |
of SO TO 81 General sharpes substitute then at last
TO vote only received IL votes In its ayor mr.
Smith. of BroOme, proposed that there should De three
temporary Comm whose terms should expire on
January $685. and that they should be succeeded Dy
Railroad Commissioner elected this fau. Mr. Alyord
proposed that John Kelly should be OF these Com
missioners Mr. Smiths amendment was rejected Dy |
Of 80 TO ST. debate followed IN relation TO
provision of the bill excluding men who held railroad
Stock and were connected with railroads in |
any way from service on the Commission.
Mr. Avord Mr. Baker, Mr.. Chaplin and others |
pointed that there is scarcely business man that
does not have some railroad stock. The suggested |
Chaplin then secured the only amendment OF the BILL one
providing that OF the commission should be ciVu
The bill made special order Tor Ihurs
day next, and the Assembly adjourned