New-York tribune., 1886-01-07
TO CHANGE THE RULES.
SPEAKER Hustled EXPLAINS HIS PLAN.

AUTHORIZED TO APPOINT THREE NEW COMMIT
TEEs-sUGGgsTIoNs FOR IMPROVING BILLS
rrRoM THE REGULAR CORRESPONDENT or THE TRfBUNE-'
ALBANY, Jan. 6.-Speaker Hustled took the
floor In the Assembly this morning to explain his plan
for improving the machinery OF that body 1t has been
evident TO the old members of the Assembly for several
years that the body slipping into loose methods Oh
business. Bills not thoroughly considered Dy com'
mIttees before being submitted TO the Assembly they
III drawn They violated the Constitution they
repeated existing laws. Governors have been
compelled to send back hundreds OF bils ror
correction. thus doing twice over what 1t was
only necessary to do once While in England last sum-
mer Speaker Hustled studied the rules OF the English
Parliament with object in his mind OF betterng tne
rules Of tho NewYOrk Legislature. He found that no
bill was submitted to Parliament until 1t had been thor
oughly examined by lawyers employed by that body,
made to comply with existing law where necessary ana
cleared Of amblgute No local private bill can be
acted upon by Parliament unless it has been submitted
to these lawyers certain period before the assembling
OF the body and published Mr. Hustled found aso that
the Massachusetts, Legislature had q COMMITTEE OF
TwO-Thrds Bills" which overlooked bills before they
passed by that body In his canvass for Speaker
he gave pledge that IL elected, he would reform Tue
rules and committees OF the Assembly.
He explained Tho changes in the rules and committees
that he thought ought to be made to improve legisa-
ton of the suggested rules would provide that no
bill should be passed unless 1t had first been printed
Another would direct tho Clerk or the Assembly 10 nave
journal of the body for the previous day every morn
ing upon the files. Another would abolish the 1.-TWO
minute rule" 1t Is called which authorizes the making
OF twoInnute speeches under prctence OF being ex
cused from voting. Another gave to the Speaker the
power OF sending bills to committees. But the chiei
changes In tho rules were to made for the purpose of
giving power to three committees suggested Dy the
Speaker namely Committee on Appropriations,
In,np
Speaker said that OF the long sessions
the Legislature the inability Of the Committee on
Ways and Means to prepare the bills appropriating
money for tho support or the state charita-
BILE Institutions and tho State Government.
He would have the work OF preparing
the general appropriation bill, appropriang money for
the support of the charitable institutions given 20 ne
proposed Committee on Appropriations Ihat commit
OF the State that they submit tho appropriations
they desired before March order that the appropia
month later, as usual. To the Committee Excise
all the bills relating to the Excise laws
on Cities the Committee Internal Affairs. bother
ing both committees. The Committee on Revision. how
%ramn msasurcs THIS committee inight consist or |
aVe persons All bs on the order Of third reading
would he referred IL would merely learn II the
bills constitutional and properly drawn II
any changes In the legal effect Of the bills were
made, they would be made as recommendations only 10
the Assembly.
The Democratic members OF the Assembly wero sus
pciOus that the proposed changes would diminish the
powers of the minority Under the lead Of Mr. Sheehnn,
they objected t. the immediate adoption OF the rules
They also objected the creation OF three new commit
tees unless they had time To think about the suy |
cesOn. Mr.. Bacheller on the Republican side or I'll" |
House said that he thought the Committee on |
Revision would have dangerous power. He thought |
that II oueh appointed TIL its functions and It's
had been clearly defined. speaker iusteu IN
reply these criticisms said that he would not press
the adoption today or the changes he suggested ne
would only ask TO be authorized to appoint the new
committees All the other suggestions and amend
mrnts could be referred 10 the Committee on Rules
when appointed. As for the Committee on Revision,
that was absolutely essential II bills TO be sent IN
had recommended that there be an attorney for the
gisature prepare its bills. At present bills were
carefully examined til they reached tie Governor
The omission OF the word mot from bill on one oc-
casiOn lost the city OF New-IOrk 100000.
Mr. Arnold said that he Thought the Committee on
Revision would act siege legislation. This, how
ever, a highly dangerous power to intrust TO five
mem He doubted It's wisdom & ID. Baker said that he
danger In permitting the SPEAKER 10 name the
members OF the new committee; tho Assembly could
clearly define their powers next week H. L. Howe,
chairman of the sub-Cominittee or Tie Whole |
"a year said that Ia his opinion no com
Revision. Nearly every bin that came before
committee last year taned mistakes and correc
lions necessary. EXSpeaker Erwin also came To
speaker lIusteds aid In the most powerful speech or
DAY depicted the careless habits OF former Legs
laturcs ana testified that bills passed without
proper consideration. Mr. Hustled. he said had been
alected Speaker largely the issue or reformation OF
he meth ds of doing business IN the Legislature
Committee Revision greatly needed such u com
ulttee should have been appointed years ago. Mr.
Erwn's speech carried Speaker Husteds aotOn Great
Ing the committees. All the Republicans, seventy
number. voted for the motion. The Democrats.
forty four number, voted againt the motion To show
hat they do believe in changing past legislative
me thOds The rules will be amended next week.