New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-05-08
THE DEMOCRATIC RECORD.
AN ADDRESS FROM REPUBLICAN LEGIs-
a. LATORS.

|
OF the State. reviewing the course of the DEM
ocratc members composing the majority in the
Legislature. The spoils- s-grabbing and partisan acts
OF the Legislature referred 10 in detail. More
ovor. 1t is shown that such laws as will beneht
the people originated with the Republican mem-
| bers. The address is as follows:
| We, Republican Senators and Assemblymen Of tho
Legislature Of ls83 deem duty TO address the people
OF the State OF NewYork to the recent record which
the two great parties have been making IN administering
| the affairs OF government.
The long-contnued success Of the Republican party
and the incorporation Of its leading principles into the
universally accepted policy OF the country led the
people last fall 70 look for though less important,
Issues the popular ambition Of the time seeming to be to
secure administrative reform. The promises embodied
IN ne platform and expressed by tue principal nominee
OF the Democrac party commended themselves to the
last election. IL is Just pride the Republican
party that II has been able to read Alright the lessons OF
| and ecarding the popular expression last fall as
stror IA favor Of freeing politics so far az possible
to answer th demand In Albany as 1t was answered in
scsordae" N tbe Presdents
passed measure TO enforce Civil Service REFORM 1t be-
vance that cause and the President has, by his appoint
ments given the law into tho hands OF It's friends
for application and enforcement II is with much salts
faction that also call attention to the work Of Repub
ican Congressman in revising the tariff, adjusting 10 to
the present condition and needs OF the country and yet
performing that task with fidelity the Republican
doctrine Of adequate protection TO American industries
| SHAM CIVIL SERVICE REFORM.
We, too have endeavored TO satisfy the requirements
OF advanced public sentiment, and invite the closest
scrutiny Of record during the session. Every
in behalf Of Civil Service reform has proceeded from Re-
publcans and has received the hearty support Of all Of
u.s. But the measures introduced in this behalf have
been either so amended by the Democratic majority as
to destroy their usefulness or nave been killed without
SGne 70 the bs S on or6 % civil %
| form measures In form rather than In substance,
% bG bS e TO rea snp promSS
Democratic Assembyman sufficiently indicated the
were in favor Of Civil Service reform the abstract
but would take their time in applying it, We regret to
in the direction and duly characterized the value
OF his very positive aneelectiOn promises by ap-
Democratic Judge for Aegany County, strong Repnb;
lean county, which had at the election warmly testified
The Democrats in the Legislature have consistently
on their promises and have bent their energies
| forwarding schemes for oItce-grabbng Their ayowed
ent competent and faithful employees was only defeated
| by the insurmountable obstacle of the law.
| EAGERNEss FOR THE sPoILs OF OFFICE
The two measures which the Democratic state Gov
prides itself upon and gives fancied
casion for self audaon to attract attention and
belief in the minds Of the voters that Democracy has
done the state some service are the Capitol Commission
| bills and the Board OF Claims act.
| The reformation in the manner OF constructing the
Capitol suggested in advance OF all legislation by
|
the Commission and who presented the rare sight OF ad
vsug the divesting his office of large political power be-
the duties OF his position were so Incompatible
with the requirements OF building commissioner thata
change would be wise for the State. Yet the
was seized supersede not only tue Republican state
officers from the management or construction but also
with the plans and the work who mad oficaIly re
ported that ne could If allowed to have his own way
finish the Capitol for less tsn $3,00o000-whose only
fault IN being Rcpubcan,-and continue the huge
undertaking with fresh start, bys new partisan regime
and anticipated expenditure OF at least double that
| reported by superintendent Eaton.
Nay more. Under Of the plea OF necessity for
change Of the system Of the construction Of the un6n
shed part OF the new Capitol partisan hands have rudey
gasped tue anssement I az 'ae staCe rd 0udngs % as
Republicans all power OF management or even OF
de- artments transact their business, and given the
whole direction and dictation to three Democrats-
| the Governor, Lieutenant Governor and Speaker
| artfuly contrying that no change OF political
shall alter the partisan character OF the majority
in the history OF the State the comfy accorded to the
various state departments is sacrificed to petty partisan
aud the ultimate duty of direction Of the details Of keep
ing the shelter Of the various departments Of the state
deyolved pom the Governor OF the State AMI two other
gentlemen one Of whom lives at Elmra and the other
| at Brooklyn for two-thirds OF the year
| THE INTERESTS OF THE STATE sIIGHTED.
| The change from the Board Of Canal Appraisers and
State Board Of Audit 10 the Board OF Claims first
embodied in practical shape by Republican legislator
| Mr. Scott, OF Lvingston-in the Legislature OF 1882
Nevertheless the then Democratic majority failed to
give life. Now that scheme. mperfecty reproduced
in it for large Democratic patronage for which It being
readily utilized. Far less care, however, has been
| taken TO protect the interests OF the State.
Warning given that the act was
leaving out most important subject to perfect the
peaed to the Canal Board The act makes no provision
Tor those eases The old expensive system OF attendance
the costly Boaro Of Claims runs cOncnrrenty with
IL. The AttorneyGenera cannot attend to the Canal
Board causes counsel for he is member Of the
Board, and therefore Judge TO decide instead OF
many go nowhere. The Board OF Appraisers Is
abolished the Court of Claims takes Jurisdiction
feeble attempt made to remedy this defect by
bill drawn by the Attorney General, but it deemed
OF not so much importance as the plan to control the
employees in the public buildings, and so was pushed
aside for matters considered weghter by our Democratic
| masters OF 1883
| PARTISAN MEASURES AND METHODS.
In extensively remodeDng the laws Of the State for tho
benefit of Democratic spolsmen no more unseemy thing
has done than the passage partly by stealth and
disrepuabe deceit OF law changing the mode OF letting
the printing Of Court of Appeals reports
denied by the supporters OF the measure in
a. party paper some party printing No attempt to
seriously defend its morality has been made except by
We condemn the unprecedented suspension OF rules
and the forcing through OF measures under gag law
bills being passed regardless OF all the usual safeguards
| Of legislation. 49,,
| Nothing but an overweening desire for political
patronage aud power on the part OF the can
account for the action OF the Legislature In egsang
the city OF NewYork the members OF which have for
years performed their duties without compensation and
after a most searching Investigation by a legislative
committee controlled by Democrats. According to this
| high Democratic authority the Commissioners are
worthy Of unqualified praise and do not deserve the ex
cited denuncaOn OF the Governor The purpose OF the
change make for Democrat $4,000 position and
unwarranted political advantages by destroying
the partisan character Of NewYorks methods OF re-
ceving emigrants In connection with this subject
should be noted that on the day OF March the Demo
crats aing pursuant the advice Of Governor Cornell,
repealed $4,000 OF the appropriation for the Commits
sioners OF Emigration unnecessary and on the 4h day
OF May, when II seemed that the mouey could be dis
bursed by Democrats they reapproprated this $4,000
After denouncing the whole system OF Harbor Masters
aud Port Wardens, the Democrats passed law abolish
ing these officers paid by voluntary fees from
those who the benefit " their services and at
the closing hours OF the session passed proVd