New-York tribune., 1884-03-01
PRISON LABOR COMMISSION.
DEMOCRATIC STUBBORN OPPOSITION.

THE BILL. EXTENDING THE TINE FOR lNVLsli"Ni-
ING CONVICT WORK NOT PASSED.
[FRoM THE REGULAR CORRESPONDENT OF THE fKiiUNH''
albany, Feb. 29.-The law creating the Prison
Labor Commission says that the Commission snail
report not later than March" When tho act was
drawn this date would have afforded chance for
the Commissioners to make a somewhat thorough
although hurried, examination of the various
systems of labor in State Prisons. But the Demo-
Gratis resisted its passage, and so delayed 1t In tS
progress through the Legislature that 1t did not be-
come a law till late in the present month. The time
within which the Commission could do their work
was thus shortened so much so indeed that the
Commissioners frankly stated that they would
be unable to accomplish anything of value
If they were thus limited. With
view Of giving them ample time within which 10
make their investigation of various systems OF en-
ploying convicts and drawring up their report 10
the Legislature, Assemblyman Howe, the present
week. introduceda bill amending the Prison Com
mission Act. so as to provide that the members OF
the Commission may report " at the earliest prac-
ticable moment" The bill was passed by the Assem-
bly, yesterday, despite the opposition Of the Demo-
cratic members
DEMOCRATIC FILIBUsTERING.
Perssting in their policy of opposition to the
Commission the Democratic Senators to-day began
libusterng against the bill. The day they selected
was fortunate one for their purpose.
cono+ors Rowcn Dopoett. Low, aud
Thomas of the Republican majority,
happened to be absent This left tho Republican
majority scant two votes az it requires seventeen
votes TO pass a bill and only fifteen Republican
Senators were present. 1t was Of course obvious
that the bill must be passed either today OF to-
morrow or the life of the Commission would come
to an end. As the state would thus be put to an
expense of So 800 without result, and as it was
important that some substitute shOuld be provided
for the contract labor system by the Commission,
the Republican Senators used all the means within
their power to obtain n majority for the bil but
tbev were embarrassed not only by their lack of
majority. but by the fact that the presiding officer.
Iieutenant-G0veruor Hill, hostile to them.
Indeed. it was asserted that in Mr.. HIPS cunning
brain there arose the scheme to defeat the bill by
fhbustering against it. He at least had only eyes
| for Senator Jacobs the Democratic leader and
| steadily recognized him ~ he made motions.
Senator Jacobs ably wasted two hours of the
| Senatos time mp to 2 O'clock. when Lieutenant
Governor Hill declared the Senate adjourned until
tomorrow at II o'clock. The Republicans, up TO
| the moment of Adjournment. fought for n " call
| of the Senate" to get the absent Republican
Senators back here but they were not successful i'll
their attempt to secure " call" Just before the
Senate was adjourned, the Republicans at last OBJ
taineda vote on tho bill. All the Republican Sena-
TORS fifteen in number, voted for IT, and one Demo-
Graf. Van Schack, against it. The other Demo-
| cratic Senators :-cOhs, Campbell, Murp hy,
| punlutt and Robb we're present, but formally re-
| fused to vote At the meeting OF the oehate 70
morrow, the last opportunity VII occur & Io5 we M
| senate to PASS the bill When the Senate had ad-
ourncd renrcsentatives Of the wOrkingmen denOunc-
ed the Democratic Senator's for their action, saying
that some substitute ought 70 DC Pr1EioII doh "i'
NJ ar - rnh
WHEN THE COMMISSION GOES OUT OF OFFICE.
Some Senators hold that the Commission expires
Tonight, az iio fist s'o'ian Of the law cree tine
them says "wlO shall hold office until March j.
1SS4n II this view is tlre the Commission is al
ready dead. and the Democratic Senators arc re-
sponsible for its expiration. They have an ldea
that the Republican Legislature has wen great
credit with the working classes by aboilshlng inc
contract-labor system and in n mudded kihd OF
way think that they may gain some glory by aoo[
ishng the Prison Labor Commission. But hU
Hoolev the renreseptative Of the labor unions in
| formed the Assembly Yesterday that the worhins
men desire that the Prison Labor COMMISSION e .,
continued in order TO provide some suosilIu,e io
the contract system, fearing It's resurrection uni''
| some other system be found
| A REPUBLICAN CAUCUS.
The Republican Senators held caucus TINS even
ing and debated the situation. 1t was resolved u
send telegrams 10 the four absent Repubhcans aut
learn if theycannot represent at tomorrow session
If favorable replies are received all the Republican
Senators now in this city will remain here ana VII
attempt tomorrow, with the assistance OF thos'
others who may come, TO pass the bill. II unfavor
allie renlies are received Senators Gibbs, Lansing
CogCcshal and Fassett, who are members OF com
mittees that will meet tomorrow in New-fork
will depart for that city by late trains tonight il
, order to be present at the committee meetings
The Republican Senators hold that the Pr%IsoI %
letter untlI tomorrow night. The Democratic sen
ators on the other hand contend that the law die
| Tonight. They point to decision OF the Court
| Appeals in an alleged similar case 1t IS suppose!
| flat even if the Republican Senators should pusl
| through the bill tomorrow that Governor Cieye
land NAV take advantage of this dispute and reilS
| to sjgn the BILL HIS signature mnst be attached &
| the bill tomorrow or the Commission dies beyon'
| all doubt.