New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-10-30
THE NEXT LEGISLATURE.
A BAD OUTLOOK FOR THE STATE IF TAM
MANY SHOULD CONTROL IT.
THE CONSTITUTION TO BE REvIsED-wHAT MIGHT
BE EXPECTED FROM A TAMMANY CoNvEN-
TIoN-sAMPLEs OF LEGISLATORS

Albany. Oct 29.-The character Of the nom-
nations made for Senators and AssembHmen oN
the Democratic party this year, and especially
by Tammany Hall in New ork, eXcites the graVest
apprehension among public men who are &C
quainted with the important work TO be done
by the approaching Legislature.
One of the most responsible duties TO be per-
formed by this Legislature will be the calling
of Constitutional Convention TO revise the Con
stituon of the State, in obedience 10 the vote Oh
the people in 1856. The Republican Legislature
of ss7 passed bill providing for the meeting Oh
this Constitutional Convention but it was vetoed
by Governor Hll-since he hoped that Democrauc
Legislature would he elected that fall and that
then Constitutional Convention would be pro-
vidcd for which might be wholly under Democratic
influences The election of new Governor. one
perhaus with more regard for the spirit OF the
Constitution than Mr. Hill has may possibly lead
10 the signing Of a bill calling together the men,
bers of a Constitutional Convention. But what
sort OF a Constitutional Convention will 1t be II
.be cbieftains OF Tammany Hall have majority
in both branches of the Legislature TO mould
that convention? What kind OF Constitution Will
be submitted TO the voters Of the State. il the
sprit Of Tammany Hall supervses the writing OF
the instrument? That corrupt political organl-
zation OF late years. has been recklessly demagop-
sreous Republican members in the legislature
prevcnted these wild schemes from being enacted
into hw.
But the public may be sure of one thing, es-
pecially. IL Tammany Hall should elect Demo
cratic legislature and that is that no reformatory
measure will ever be permitted to reach the Gov
crnor of the State. Mr.. Flower, for instance,
promises that he will give careful consideration
"a a blanket ballot reform law if he should be
elected Governor: and some confding voters
think this indefinite promise is sufficient reason
for them 10 vote for him. But can Mr. Flower
give his word That the members of q Democratic
LEGISLATURE would pass such bill. IL Is easy
for a Governor who does not wish to pass upon ii
legislative measure TO wink TO his fellows IN the
LEGISLATURE md they easily prevent Ills oelhe
embarrassed by il by killing II themselves "hat
support can be expected for blanket pallot plii
from Jacob A. Cantor, George +. Roesch Euwaru
Hsgan William A. Brown, four of 1ammany hal
candidates for Senator? They voted against such
n bill in 1890. Would Richard Croker, bourhe
Cochran. Hugh J. Grant and other leaders Oh
Tsmmanv Hall send them orders 10 give up the
"paster ballot which Tammany Hall puts INTO
the hands of It's voters That cannot be eX-
,ected when # is remembered that Bourke Cook
ran was of the bitterest oppoheHVe VI
blanket ballot here in 1890.
On the other hand, Senator Fassett, the kepuo-
licon candidate for Governor has twice voted
for a blanket ballot bill ard now, as candl-
date for Governor has pledged his support 10
the measure Moreover the following Repuphcan
candidates for Senator in 1890 voted LOT n
blanket ballot BILL Aspinall, Stewart. Khoues'
Richardson. Deanc Donaldson, CoggeshaI' Erwin
Emerson. Peck, OCOnnor. Van Gorder Lsushhh
and Vedder There fourteen Republican oeha-
,ors who have already voted for blanket oal-
loft bill Surely there could not be better pleoge
given of their support Of such measure II II Is
again presented The other Republican cahul-
dates for Senator are new men, but there Is no
Question NJ their support of blanket ballot bill
Can a single Democratic Senator De haheu wiz
has nromised TO vote for blanket ballot Dill
'rho candidate Of the Democrats in Erie County,
Matthias Endrcs. as an Assembyman, was one OF
a.. bitterest opponents of the blanket Dallot Dill
Nor can the friends of bal lot reform look LOT
INV ar1 from the Brooklyn Democrats VINO are
candidates for Senator: McCarren, Sutherland anu
Nctartv are all understood TO be opposed 10 'he
blanket ballot
What aid also will the friends of ballot reform
receive from the Tammany Hall canolua'es ioi
Asscmblvmen from New-Yorll City? The follow
ing named voted against the blanket ballot Dill
in 1890: Patrick II. Duffy, Timothy d. sullivan
Philip Wissig, William Sulzcr, Walter q. Byrne'
John Connolly Roger j. Stein, Joseph biuh'eu-
thai and George p. Webster. And no man III
Tammany Hall will dispute the fact that every
ono Of IT'S candidates in every one of the twenty
four Assembly districts of NewIork, with the
nossible execution of William SOhmer, is an OPP
moment of the blanket ballot. Nor do the Demo-
cratic candidates for Assembymen in Brooklyn
hold any better attitude AS for the Democratic
Assemblymen from the rural districts, they have
fallen into the habit of late years of following
the example Of the Democrats of New-YorK and
BROOKLYN There can he no hope, therefore, oil
the passage OF blanket ballot reform law II
the Assembly should be Democratic. Mr.. Biumen-
thai. of Tammany Hall, it is said, will be Speaker
if the Democrats have majority in the Assembly.
The powerful influence of the Speaker therefore
will bc eXerted against the passage of ballot
reform bill if there should be a Democratic
legislature 1t becomes apparent therefore that
Roswell p Flower gave safe pledge when he
told the ballot reformers that he would give
blanket ballot hill careful consideration No such
bill will ever be sent to him by the Legislature
il it should chance TO be Democratic
The taxpayers of New-Yor< will have good reason
10 mourn if there should be Democratic Legis-
lature For good many years now Republican
Senators and Assemblymen have defended their
interests Senator Hendricks of Syracuse, now
Collector of New-York Tor SIN years past has
been chairman of the Committee on Cities. Yearly
he and his Republican associates on that committee
have strangled bill after bill introduced by New
York Democrats TO deplete the treasury Of that
city: bills which would have taken millions of
dollars out of it's treasury. -" am almost inclined
sometimes said Senator Hendricks last winter.
10 let loose every bill introduced by these New
York Democrats, making an appropriation from
the pockets of Newly orks taXpayefs. In that
case the voters Of New-YoTk would learn the
quality of the men they send here to represent
Them Mr. Hendricks, however, had too much
sense of fidelity TO the interests of the State TO act
upon his idea, But if his place chairman Of the
Committee on Cities is taken by New-YOrk Demo-
craft the taxpayers of that city had better begin to
nut their money in strong banks. Here is
Nl,r n Ia Of