New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-04-02
A LEADER WHO DOES NOT LEAD
MR.. McCLELLAND'S UNCOMFORTABLE
PLACE IN THE ASSEMBLY.

MR.. McCLELLAND'S UNCOMFORTABLE
PLACE IN THE ASSEMBLY.
| A VOTE IN WHICH HE is SUPPORTED BY ONLY
NINE MEMBERSHIPS REMARKS ON THE
TRIBUNE's STATEMENTS REGARD
ING HIS RELATION TO THE
BATTERY PARK BILL.
Albany April (SpecaI. -Charles P. McCelland the
Democratic leader Of the Assembly appears to APP
preciate the fact that far his place leader OF
the majority is concerned, he is square peg in
round hole lie does not fit at ALL Hardly day
passes that he does not direct slap In the
face from the Democrats who supposed TO follow
| him. Without exception. two-thrds OF the members
who have voted with him against extravagant appro
priations Republicans
| The Assembly opposed his wishes again this morn
ing and the total strength that he could control was
eight votes beside his own. This trouble of his
about report from the Senate that 1t had stricken
out Of bill the amendment, which McClelland insists
shall go into every bill making appropriation for
canal purposes to the effect that work shall be done
| or money expended until the superintendent Of Public
Works has filed certificate in writing that the work
is necessary The measure in question was introduced
! by AsSemblyman German, an Albany County Demo
crat. lie appealed to the House 10 vote with him and
sustain the Senate. McCleand said that the House
would be taking back track if it allowed the clause
4
House, by vote of Ga to 8, accepted the bill 1t
came from the Senate, and afterward passed it.
| OF course the leader angry He took occasion
few moments later to work of portion of his anger
upon The Tribune, in consequence of an article
in today's issue concerning his legislative record and
its relation to his bill giving the elevated roads share
of the Battery Park. This bill received the negative
vote of every member of the Committee on Cities.
The adverse report this bill made by Assembly
man Blumentha the chairman of this committee, and
| 1t gave McCleand chance to rise to question OF
privilege to explain how he got the bill In the first
place and why the last hour, before the committee
met he sent letter to the lawyer from whom he re
| ceved the bill telling him that he would oppose IL.
He also explained why he went Into the committee ana
letter which he sent to Mr. Butler Here is,
| in part what he said:
Mr. Speaker: 1 have read The NewYork Tribune this
morning editorial column and the Albany news col
umn and regret 10 say that the gentleman representing
that journal upon this floor by the courtesy of the House
has fit grossly misrepresent position on this
bill. will be recalled that when introduced the bill
in the House 1 made statement defining my position
was in anse committed to this bill Since that time
taken pains to ascertain what pubic sentiment I'D
the city OF New.York was this question Every one
whom L have consulted was opposed to it, have
talked with authorities OF the city OF NewYork
and every of public officials Of that city whom
talked is opposed It, therefore came to the conciu
sion Mr. Speaker that not in any sense my duty
to attempt impose upon the city of NewYork piece OF
legislation this character that did not want then de-
|
sons known myself did make request known
until yesterday. went before the Cities Committee ana
report this bill adversely Every member OF
committee Will bear out that up to yesterday had
spoken him the subject OF the bill, ana II am
correctly committee had taken no action or
| had not considered the bill at all in committee.
Now then The Tribune this morning says "Of course
Mr.. McCleand expects the public to pat him on the
back he out Of the and let the full force
Of the committees blow fall the railroad but when the
public learns the facts in the case. he will likely not
| appear heroic light he desires. 1t is now
pretty well understood that the committee came to the
conclusion week report the bill adversely
in spite the that the Democratic leader introduced
it. Word this effect came to his and he at
he placed in plight before the world
| il the bill killed in the committee
Again: 'HThs being the he must find some means
OF getting Of the hole. The only that he could
do and do it at all gracefully would be by taking the
popular side question and writing letter to the
attorney of the company withdrawing his support from the
| bill''
| Now Mr. Speaker, that the gentleman
who handed this BILL Mr. Butler is in sense the
attorney Of the Newly railroad company; il he is
never knew it. lie is constituent mine. large
property owner my district and II he has
the Elevated Railroad Company in the position OF
attorney, 1 knew it, Furthermore don't believe
| that he ever did or to-day believe this House
fully understands position and only purpose in
rising ON the floor this morning, Mr. Speaker. is TO call
attention to the fact that while gentlemen OF the
occupy positions this floor don't think they ought
n understand the courtesy extended the right
grossly and wfuly mrepcsent any member on the hoor
| M matter what position he occupies here. l do not
eieve that any member Of this House who knows
any gentlemen representing the press here, will put
wrong construction upon my motive and don't want to
he severe 1 only want to say TO this young that
when lives longer and knows men better he VIII be
more careful in criticism upon mems character and
| reputation. u,
| Mr. Blumenthal bore out the statement in The
,,ih,ro ,b,t tho members the Cities Committee
| opposed to the bill, in these WORDS
A., cro,ler Tn no sense do desire to enter into any
nt mon the matters spoken Of by the gentleman from
vJas,ohos,er think It due myself and the committee
70 cav ar this time that the principal reason that opeau
In NV mind in my desire 10 get this bill into te CON-
mtee on Cities that /, at the Time oi is ".io
Ss,,or ouite fully appreciated the sentiment in that
city and the opinions OF the au'no'I",' anu mere
fore felt that in carrying the views OF large majority
:, ~, ,s. and authorities Of that city the Committee
- ,. ,o1 be Inv far the best channel OF communication
t,, ,hoso sources than any other committee Of the
| House / never had any doubt III NY own Hshu anu
do not think 1 reveal any secrets OF ue committee IN
| saving that there was q unanimous opinion ulat mis
bI was contrary % the wishes OF all the representative
interests OF NewYork those authority, the citizens
and the press generally and the Neiuict OF the COM
mlttee simply carries out that opinion.
| General Hustled said that the bill was offered to
| him by Charles H. Butler, VINO urew II up on MS
own responsibility for Robert NJ Galloway, vice
residcnt ~ fhe Manhattan Company, repudated it'd
declared that the bill not what the company
wanted , ,ba. ~ ,,.
ras hoard when the motion 20 adopt the report VI the
committee voted upon'
THE STATE ENGINEERS ANNUAL REPORT.
Albany. April 1.-The annual report Of the State
pc,roer and surveyor for the fiscal year ending Sep