New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-01-07
7HE OPENING OF THE LEGISLATURE

Republican Senate and Republican As
sembly begin their sessions to-day at Albany.
Our party's representatives have a good work.
ing majority in both houses, and included in
their number are many lawmakers of extended
experience and great ability. II is to be hoped
that Republican Senators and Assemblymcn-
every man of them-will recognize the reSpon-
sibility which rests upon them as members of
a majority and determine to be equal to it, A
minority may be conspicuousy weak and
worthless, and still the majority will be held
by the people to a strict account for the char
acter and efficiency of the bills which are
passed. Last year, for example, the tax-race
was raised, and although Democrats joined
with Republicans in voting for the appropra-
tons whose aggregate was so large, 1T was not
the Democracy, but our own party, against
which criticism was chiefly directed And
this. obviously, is as it should be- The ma
ority necessarily takes the lead, il has the con
trolling influence, both in the committee room
and on the floor and, having had its way, must
stand or fall by the record of the session.
4 good deal of highly important work has
been laid out by the people for this Legislature
10 perform. High license, ballot reform, rapid
transit for tho metropolis State supervision
of the insane, compulsory education canal I'M
proyemcnt-thesc are the principal subjects
which demand attention. Simply to name
them is to indicate their vital significance
There is. or at all events there should be, no
politics in any one of them. They are IN the
interest of the common veal behind them is
enlightened, partisan public sentiment. In
order that they may be treated wisely there
will be- need of all the stateSmdnship which the
senate and Assembly can command. They
ought to be- given the precedence over other
bills. certainly over measures Of merely local
value. II j. a good rule for Legislature to
he certain to pass the acts which are generally
called for and then TO attend to the minor ones
if there is time Too often, however, great
public measure, have been made to wait while
member, log rolled through their little county
bills.
The two houses will be organized without
delay. the Republican caucuScS of last evening
having agreed upon the nominations for Pres
dent pro tenn Speaker and other officials with
unanimity which attcStS the harmony which
prevails in the ranks of the majority. 1t was
understood several weeks ago that Senator
Fassctt would be chosen to preside in the sen
ate and General Ilu>ted-hrcaking the Speak
clship record-in the Assembly. We have al
ready expressed ourselves in regard TO both
selections Equipped by training aptitude and
popularity with their fellow member, FOR the
arduou, duties OF The chair. McS>rS. Fa>Nctt and
llu>'ed can Ice counted upon 10 WELD the gayol
70 the satisfaction Of all concerned. The
session opens promi>inSy There Is no reason
why il should not be conducted 10 itS close ~
a manner to gain the members the hearty com
mendation Of all their constituents. 1t will be
il each of our Republican lawmakers is faithful
and efficient at all points.