New-York tribune., 1888-03-23


Constitution relating to the term q State ofn-
ccrs was passed in 1874, but the attempt 70
secure a biennial session amendment. although
frequently made. has never come to anytnine
Tho Governor and acknowledgements VINO
used to hold Office for two years. now noio
for three. If the change had been conditioned
on biennial sessions II is exceedingly doubtful
II IL would have been ordered The last at
tcmpt in favor of biennial sessions was made,
II we mistake not in 1885. In that year
resolution paving the way for popular vote
was reported adversely from the committee
having IL in charge. and the Assembly gave
IL the finishing stroke by agreeing to the report
Whatever may be said in regard to biennial
scssions-and not little can be urged on both
sides-it does seem that Massachusetts, would
do we'll to decide in favor of biennial elections
for her leading State officers. The argument
in favor of the existing state Of things is that
frequent elections are the safeguard OF govern
ment by the people; that an annual election is
an annual education Of the voter in the things
that make for intelligent citizenship. On the
other hand it is to be said that too much OF
good thing is bad thing. and that annual
changes in important offices make against tho
maintenance Of the greatest efficiency in their
administration. More to the purpose, it is to
bo remembered that the experience OF Massa-
chusetts's sister shows that she Is greatly mis-
taken In holding that there is special virtue In
the annual election system.
The Hnrlem Democratic Club, while laying .
nice batch of tafy at the feet OF Mayor Hewitt,
doubts the propriety" Of committing itself to any
particular candidate for the Presidency Few
things are so impressive as a Harlem Democratic
club sitting on the fence and indulging In doubts
about the proprieties OF political life.
The Bridge Reorganization bill has gone through
the Senate without single opposing vote NOW
let the Assembly do It's duty. and new order OF
things in Bridge management may be looked
for Nobody can deny that it is badly needed
When Congressman Cummings, speaking upon
the Eight hour law on Wednesday, criticised Gov
ernment officials for frequently thwarting the
will of Congress. Assistant Secretary Of the Treas
ury Maynard must have squirmed little By
his construction Of the laws Of Congress, he made
it appear that he saved many thousands OF dol
lars. But in many cases his decisions have been
overruled by the Court Of Claims after contests
which have been costly TO the Government.
The teachers who were at their posts OF duty
on the days Of the blizzard are to receive honorable
mention from the Board Of Education. They
certainly deserve this don't they deserve little
morep This is case for lberality, If the board
has any margin for liberality.
The student of elevated roads has some interest
ing facts presented for his observation at the pres
ent time In our own city the elevated system
oil, dau her nf
times it was most needed. Nevertheless it. as
whole. serves the people to the best Of Its ability.
although far from furnishing rapid transit. In
BROOKLYN. where one such road has been in opera
ton for nearly three years, swo others are ap-
preaching completion, and it is promised that
trains will be rLnning on both in the next Few
weeks. In Boston, strenuous opposition to pro-
posed elevated roads is made on the ground that
the damage to real estate would be immense"
and the inconvenience to the general public
would never compensate for the slight advantage
that might be derived by the saving OF few
minutes" On the other hand. the City Councn
Of Chicago has just granted permission for the
erection of an elevated road which proposes to run
through the middle Of the blocks, where the right
of way is to be bought outright The question OF
interurban transit is thds working itself out in
various ways Underground roads lie still in the
future; but unquestionably q tunnel system is
the only means OF attaining high degree OF speed,
which Is indispensable in city like New-fork.
Some of the Navy officers whose cases have
recently been considered by courts OF inquiry
have objected to the criticisms made upon tneir
official conduct by the newspapers. Military and
naval men cannot expect immunity from criticism
any more than other public officers. II they
accept positions in the army or navy they must
expect sharp scrutiny of all their official acts.