New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-02-18

eSPECINFNS or EAOCRATIC Reform.
1t was widely advertised last autumn by the
Democrats that the present Legislature would
show what they could accomplish in the way of
retrenchment and reform. 1t is well, therefore.
to keep watchful eye upon the work Of that
body, as the Democrats are in unrestricted con-
troll of it. A few of the jobs and schemes for
the increase of expenditures and patronage
that find favor with the party III control at
albany, have already been exposed in He
TRIBUNE, and to-day we mention "A few more.
7 hese we have selected from the recent pro-
ceedings of the Legislature.
The superintendent of Public Works and the
State Engineer and Surveyor are able doubt
less, properly TO supervise the canals. CT any
work connected with them. The State Engi-
neer is a Republican, however, and the Dem
ocrats have been seeking some way to get rid
of him. At the same time they have ordered
to q third reading Mr.. Higgms's bill 70 create
by appointment a canal commission of three
members, to protect the rights Of persons nav
igating the canals" 1t would be an entirely
useless body, except to furnish patronage to the
Democratic party but that seems to be excuse
enough to satisfy the majority in the Legisla
ture in imposing additional burdens upon the
people.
The bills to create the Office Of Commissioner
of the New Capitol. and for paid Commits
siOner of Emigration in this city, which have
been favoraby reported, are patronage meas
ures. SO is Treanors bill to legisate out of
Office the only Republican in the Park Board
aud thus leave it in the exclusive control of
the three Democratic Commissioners. A like
measure that cannot be too strongly condemned
is that offered by Senator Koch to add three
Police Justices, at $4,000 year each, to the
number, already too large, now in Office
KOch's bill to increase the number of Commits
sioners and to reorganze the Board of Educa-
ton is solely in the interest of the Democratic
politiclans. They have long been dissatisfied
because they have been unable to drag the
schools into the dirty pool of ward politics
The Oakley bill increasing the number and the
pay of the Park police will add to the patron
age of the party in the majority, otherwise it
probably would not have been introduced.
A forcible exhibition of Democratic retrench-
ment and reform was furnished recently III the
statement of the expenses of investigating COM
mittees Since the party came in power at
Albany year ago, its expenditures for investi
cations have been about twice as great as those
of any previous Legislature for many years.
Not a single measure OF reform is on the stat
ute books as a result of the $4,000 expended
by investigating committees during ten months
of last year. And yet the Democratic leaders
are plunging ahead in n still more reckless
manner Senator JacObs's committee, which
has had nearly year to inquire into the affairs
of the Emigration Commission, is to he allowed
to continue on in the same way, probably for
another year, or at least until after the next
election. The State has not yet received any
benefit from the large expense already incurred
by this committee. Senator Koch has heard
about the big fish caught i'll the Adirondacks
and of their cool refreshing bIeezes in the sum
mer season, therefore rs has been made chair
man of a special committee " TO investigate and |
report what lands are fit for forest purposes and
What are farm lands" COney Island has at
fractions for Senator Browning, hence he asks /
that his committee be instructed to continue |
for another season its examination into the |
disposition of common lands in Grayesend. |
Before the question is disposed of there will /
probably be a committee empowered to inves-
tigate Niagara Falls, and another to watch the |
operation at Saratoga OF the new Democratic |
me assure to permit pool selling on race tracks
Mr. Murphy's committee expended without re-
suit several hundred dollars of public money |
last year for the alleged purpose Of laying out |
A parade ground in the annexed district. Sen J