New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-05-16
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Tbe legislature, which adiourns sine die this
morntue. is 10 be credited with the performance
Of much good work Of general puOho interest.
Republican in both It's branches il responded
70 the reform sentiment of the state by passing
TWO most excellens measures, the Excise bill
and the Saxton bI. II this legislation had
teached the statute book the cause OF temper
ance and Of pure ballot would have been great
IL promoted The Governor however, has al
ready killed one Of the bills, and Is understood
10 be sharpening his knife for the slaughter
Of the other. The Republican majority also
enacted q hdicious, wellbalanced Prison bill. a
Compulsory Education ACT which commands the
approval Of professional educators, and o much
needed philauthropio measure providing for
three Commissioners in Lunacy The canals
have been generously treated, no greet common
interest has been neglected, and the iscal bills
have been passed 50 free from offensive sppro.
priations that the tax rate remains at about its
present low figure.
This good affirmative record Of the majority
was inexcusably qualified by the action Of the
Assembly Tuesday evening on the ceiling re-
potts. The report which was much the strong
er of the two, which dealt the more courageous
~ with the subject in hand in all its phases, and
which was the better calculated 10 prevent the
repetition of the ceiling swindle and coEnate
abuses by opening the way for the punishment
Of proved raEcas-that report was rejected and
much milder one was adopted The fact that
members Of both parties were implicated di-
rectly or indirectly in the iniquity readily led
to the laR-rollihg which accomplished this re-
suit. The blunder was grave one, and those
Republicans who were responsible for 10 ought
to be held to a strict account by their con-
sttuents. In voting as they did, they were TN.
worthy Of the party whose commissions they
hold.
But in spite Of this indefensble vote, tho
fact remains that in respect to valuable work
done the session will bear the scrutiny OF the
people. We have referred to some Of the lead
ing measures affecting the public veal which
were enacted. They stand for much good and
faithful service. On the other hand, IL is 20
be remembered that very few bad bills got
through A number Of Jobs were persistently
pushed, but were rejected. For the most part
the lobby would seem to have had its labor for
its pains Furthermore, ii must not I've for
gotten that in it's fight for wholesome legisla-
ton the Republican majority had little or no
help from the Democratic minority. Demo
cratic Senators and AssemblSmen arrayed thom-
selves against the great reform bills Of the
session. They voted solidly against temper
ance reform and ballot reform. and soma Of
them with fatal facility for getting on the
wrong side, endeavored to compass the defeat
even Of the Compulsory Education Act. And
in all their efforts TO embarrass the majority
the Democratic lawmakers had the assistance
Of Governor Hill.
new Legislature Is TO be chosen this fall
Senate as well "a Assembly. When they ne.
view the work Of this session. we believe that
the people will decide to continue the control
Of legislation in the hands Of the Republicans