New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-01-10
THE NEw-YogK ASSEMBLY COMMITTEES.

THE NEW-YORK ASSEMBLY COMMITTEES.
The task of making up the Assembly COM
mittees is rarely easy. 1t is beset with dif1-
cultes when, as this year, the majority men,
bers outnumber the committees nearly two to
one. There are seventy-nine Republican As
semblymen while there are only forty-one
standing committees. Naturally enough, every
one of the seyenty-nine would have liked a
craftsmanship, so it is impossible that the list
has not caused some disappointments we
believe, however unpreudiced persons Will
feel that on the whole Speaker Cole has
placed the members where they can render the
best service His policy largely has been TO
retain the old members in the places which
they occupied last year. By so doing he Sc
cures trained and experienced men at the lead
ing posts.
The chairmanship Of Ways and Means goes
to General Hustled. He is the Nestor OF the
House. possesses great executive ability, IS
ready and resorceful in debate and an I'M
riyalled parliamentarian. His leadership on
the floor viii be skilful and effective. The re-
tention of Mr.. Crosby, of this city, at the head
of the Committee on Cities will give general
satisfaction He has become familiar with the
needs of the metropolis and Of the other cities
Of the State, is cleai-headed, vigilant and trust
worthy. Mr.. Ainsworth, who is serving his
fourth term as a legislator. is again chairman
of Appropriations. He made an excellent rec
ord last winter, earning another term by his
fidelity and sagacity. The Craftsmanship Oh
Insurance always excites great interest mas
much as that is one of the committees around
which the lobby lingers-if it gets chance
Mr.. Whipple, the chairman, who served last
year at the head of Claims, is recognized as one
of the truest as well as one of the ablest OF
the members. 1t is strong appointment.
Railroads is another committee the membership
of which is always closely scanned. Mr. Kim
ball, who Is promoted 10 the Craftsmanship,
was q member of the committee last year, and
during his three years in the Assembly has
established reputation for uprightness ana
capacity Still it is not easy to con-
ceive why Mr.. Youngman was super
seeded. The friends of the canal system will
be grateful at the assignment of Mr.. Gallup to
the craftsmanship of Canals. Onondaga, from
which he halls, is an uncompromisng canal
county, and he himself as member OF the
Canal Committee of last winter proved that he
had carefully studied the canal problem. The
Excise Committee is put in charge of General
Curtis, one of the most capable and experienced
lawmakers at Albany. That committee is in
the front rank this year. and no better man
than the General could be named TO command
it. He is worthy exponent Of the reform
sentiment Of the State. Mr.. Slavery, chairman
of Prisons, was a member of that committee in
1885, and knows well as any man in tho
Legislature the merits and dement's Of the
conflicting labor systems. He has great OPP
portunity to distinguish himself. Other adj
mirable appointments are Mr.. Saxton. chairman
of Judiciary Mr. Hamilton, chairman OF Cen
eral Laws; Mr.. Hunting, chairman OF Com
merce and Navigation; General Batcheller.
chairman of State Charitable Institutions; Mr..
Nixon, chairman of Internal Affairs, and Mr.
Rhodes Of Banks.
In another column our Albany correspondent
analyzes the Excise Committee, showing that
it not only has first-class chairman. but that
he has men Of the right sort associated with
him. The other important committees, notably
Ways aud Means and Cities, are equally strong
throughout. 1t was reported that the minority
is dissatisfied because their representation on
the committees was reduced from four to three.
There certainly is small occasion for such
complaint. When a majority, 7 strong, charged
with the responsibility of the session, accords
minority which is only 40 strong, three mem-
bers upon each one of the standing committees,
no violence is done to the principle of fair play
The committees having been announced, the
Assembly ought to get to business in good
earnest. The sooner the better. for there il
much to be done of the first Importance to all
our people. The Senate, which holds over from
last winter, is equipped with standing commit
tees, although some changes are made neces-
sary by the death of Senator Low and the ele-
walton Of Senator Fassett to the chair Of the
President pro TEN.