The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-01-04

ALBANY, N. Y. Jan. 3,-Thc New York
Legislature was opened today.
Gov. Hill. in his message, says he de-
termined to make that document the brief
est on record, because he realized that no
who gives his suggestions with concseness
and brevity confers no small gift on active
men in this busy age. Among the recon-
mendations which the Governor makes are
the passage OF an act regulating the en-
ployment OF prison labor measure pro-
viding for spring municipal elections in
the city Of New York; tho creation Of a
commission TO revise tho charter OF the
city of New York; an amendment to the
statute which limits the amount OF recov-
cry to 5000 in the case Of the death Of a
person caused by negligence OF another
person, or OF corporation, and increasing
the amount OF damages that may he re-
covered In such actions to $4,000; astatute
making railroad companies absolutely liza
bic for all damages by fire set by their To-
comotives; and a measure for some method
of capital punishment other than hanging.
In recommending the passage of an net
abolisliing the power Of confirmation on
Tho part OF the Senate, in all those cases
where II IL not required by the constitu-
ton itself, the Governor says A'While UNI
der the provisions of the constitution the
executive alone is empowered TO suspend
certain State officers, although elected by
the whole people; yet No carefully have the
prerogatives Of the Senate been protected
by Legislation, that he is powerless TO dis
turb, Tor cause, any official, no matter how
derelict he may be, whose appointment "
dependent npon the confirmation OF the
Senate, unless the Senate consents 10 such
suspension, There should not exist d.
vidcd responsibility in reference to such
appointments. Either the Senate or the
executive should he vested with the full
power and responsibility
1T IL notorious fact that for many
years nominations sent to the Senate have
not been disposed Of upon their merits,
but have either not been acted upon at ALL
or their disposition determined upon par
tisan or factional grounds Uncxception-
able nominations have been hung up
without any action whatever. Excellent
men have been rejected. Good nominees
have been refused confirmation solely
because Of political considerations. OIL
cials, whose terms had expired
for many years, have been retained
without justification or reasonable excuse,
simply because they were in political ac-
cord with the Senate or with faction OF
the Senate. The confirming power has
virtually usurped tho appointing power by
refusal TO consider nominations upon
their meiis. The Governor makes an
other appeal for enumeration and
apporiiunmcnt, and says IL il gen.
orally conceded that nm enumeration,
followed by an honest npportionment,
would unquestionably result in a change
In the political complexion Of the Legisla-
ture Of the State. \ single glance ut the
present iniquitous apportionment discloscs
u motive and purpose in the neglect or no
fusal 10 permit nn enumeration. In the
great Democratic counties Of New York
and Kings there is an average Of over
10, 900 population 30 each assembly dis.
trict, while In eight Republican counties
which have over one assembly district, the
average population in each district il
scarcly half that number, and In five other
Republican counties, having moro than
one district, the population hardlyayoragcs
5000 in each district.
Fremont Cole was elected speaker Of the
Assembly aud Henry II. Low president Of
the Senate.