New-York tribune., 1891-04-24
FASSETTS ABLE SPEECH.
A MASTERLY ARGUMENT ON THE NECESSITY
OF PROBING THE CANAL DEPARTMENT.

ANSWERING THE DEMOCRATIC OBJECTIONS ONE
AFTER ANOTHER AND SHOWING THAT FEAR
OF CONVICTION is AT THE BOTTOM OF
THEM-sENAToR CANTOR READS LIST
OF OBJECTIONS AND ADMITS THAT
THE GOVERNOR WROTE THEM.
rBY TELEGRAPH TO THE rHBuSE.I
Albany. April Ex-senator Vedder expressed tho
sentiment of all the other Republican Senator's
to-day when he said, in speaking upon the resoll-
tion TO investigate the Canal Department. so long
opposed by the Democratic Senators: we STAND
here affirming our right, under the Constitution
to investigate the management OF the canals oil the
State. We will not be driven from that position
by the threats of the Governor OF this State. The
time has arrived when any one of this Republican
side of the Senate Chamber who will say We will
abandon this position is a renegade to his party
and renegade to the State Of New-York We
will never, never, never yield this principle OF
government for which we are contendng.'
The Senate in the course Of its debate upon the
proposed canal investigation to-day. was treated
TO a mastery review by Senator FasSett of the
controversy since the deadlock began, week ago
to-day. Rarely has there been more convincing
argument made upon the necessity from time to
time of the inspection by the Legislature of State
Departments and especially of those like the Canal
Department, which yearly expends millions OF the
peoples money. Mr.. Fassett also ably showed the
accumulating evidence of corruption in the Canal
Department.
Senator Cantor opened the days debate by
reading typewriter message from Governor
HILL giving the latter's views to the Democratic
position in the controversy.
what document are you reading?" inquired
Mr.. Fassett of Mr. Cantor. Did you bring it up
from the Executive Chamber with your $50 fill
clustering motions ?n
Every one was astonished when Mr. Cantor
frankly answered YES" Then Mr.. Cantor read
the following, which, according to his own ac-
Acknowledgement. was written by Governor Hill:
Birswe do not object to the Investigation OF speeh
charges properly authenticated.
SecondWe do not object to any fair, nonpartisan In.
vestgaon any department OF the State under Democratic
control.
Third-we oppose the political investigation OF part.
committee having for its Undfgused purpose the EFFORT
to make political capital during the fall campaign
annex to Republican State Committee. but at the ex.
pense Of the taxpayers of the State.
Fouyh-we not oppose the creation OF commission,
partisan character for the fair investigation OF the
canals that authorized by the Legislature and
appointed by Governor Tilden in 1878.
tifth-In of the that Mr.. Laughln's resolu
ton offered Just the close Of the last session OF the
Legislature, and not renewed till nearly the close Of
the presynt session. is clear the real object OF the pro-
posed inquiry is political in its design, and is simply In
by the Republicans to annoy and backmal the
ess and connection with the Fasset Committee which
has been authorized sit for another year. is proposed
by the OF political investigation conducted by these
two committees during the and fall with the aid
OF Republican counsel paid by the State to endeavor TO
political capital against their political opponents ana
50 requiring purposes OF the Laughin resolution.
We frankly own our purpose to defeat the passage OF
legitimate parliamentary means In
our power while the time expressing willingness
to proceed consideration OF the numerous public
measures now pending before and which demand
attention.
The Republicans smiled as they heard read this
ingenious confession of Governor Hill that he
feared that an investigation of the Canal De-
partment would harm the Democratic party, and
therefore opposed that investigation. They were
further amused when Senator Laughlin sent to
the Clerks desk and had read editorials clipped
from THE Buffalo Courier" and The Albany
Union," both Democratic newspapers favoring tho
passage of the canal investigation resolution, and
both declaring that it ought to be made, in view
of abuses of canal administration. THE Courier"
article maintained that encroachments upon the
States lands within the blue line" OF the canal
should be investigated. THE Union" expressed
doubts as to the purity of the canal admlnstra-
ton. 1t was left TO Senator Fassett, howAer, 70
reply as the occasion deserved TO Governor mr.
argument opposing the canal investigation. MI.
FaSsett said:
had not intended TO say anything this subject this
morning until Senator from the Xh Cantor read tho
message from Governor Hill here the floor stating the
position Of the minority the message Of Governor
Hill, because the Senator himself stated that 1t was
setting the position Of the minority and the
only in the State who assumes TO speak or dare 70
speak for the minority is the Governor OF this State
Hence the document read by the Senator is tho
Governors position. desire briefly as possible and
ask the patience OF the Senate, to review the situation
About week the resolution known as the Laughlia
resolution brought before Senate for consdera
ton. discussed and the question was put to tho
gftua will fhonf rHm
intere-from the Senate by the Senator from
the IXth, then acting temporary president Whether
he was acting under written designation required by tho
rules do know and that has no bearing upon this
question The temporary president stated the question:
then ordered the clerk TO call the roll The roll VAS
commenced, and the first Two names on the
list were called BY that time the Senator
from the Xth had received instructions from the
Executive Chamber and the Lieutenant.Govemor had
been his chamber and from opposite sides
they mounted the throne together, one 10 give sruc
tons the other to seize the gave, and then paria
mentary law naught. The rol-call was arb'
tIary discontinued and this debate and this deadlock
were preeiptated upon the Senate.
Now what is the resoluon2 1t Is resolution which
does charge fraud WHICH does not charge inqutous
proceeding but which allege the Canal Depart
men Is OF great importance involving great expndi
ture desirable to secure greater economy
in its administration and larger income from ito re-
sources, If that be possible.
Now let mo make or two suggestions There Ia
no other tribunal which investigate the canals or any
state department the Legislature This is the only
machinery that can be set motion. 1t is not like
proposition investigate cities, 10 Investigate cofpo-
tons nor investigate individual abuses for the courts
and the citizens at time set in motion
forces for Inspection investigation. the Senator
himself said here year IL Is competent for The
eoisaue TO State depai nents, but II Is
lmpertlnence for tie Legislature 70 Investigate
Municipalities. 1 do not indorse his doctrine; but
there is any department for the investigation Of which no
criticism can lie against the Legislature 1t must be
or,t Stale depagtment The canals absorb annually In
the neghbohood OF s3,o00000 for purpose and
other IL Is one the three great Of expenditure
10 the state schools the prisons and the canals ranging
about in parallel lines the expenditure Of public
moneys goes. Now, this a proper resolution and
proper thing the Legislature 10 undertake. Let US
see What objections raised by the other side " such