New-York tribune., 1891-04-30
PRICE THREE CENTS.
THE DEADLOCK UNBROKEN.
SENATOR LAUGHLN CLOSES THE CANAL
RESOLUTION DEBATE.

AN ABLE REVIEW OF THE FoRTNIGHr's sTRuos
GLE IN THE SENATE FOR CANAL ISvEsTI-
GArIoN-MR BROWN THE ONLY DEMO
CRATIC SENATOR TO SPEAK.
rrRoM THE REGULAR CORRESPONDENT OF THE rRIDUsk
Albany, April 29.-The Canal Ring, supported
by David B. Hill and the Democntic members OF
the Legislature, fights TO the =" last ditch IL
will not permit an investigation 10 be made INTO
the administration Of the Canal Department by
the Senate Canal Committee; and tomorrow,
therefore the Legislature will adjourn without
having TRANSACTED a large amount OF important
public business which was before it,
The taxpayers Of the State, reviewing the history
of the last fortnghts deadlock in the Senate, Will
perceive at once the responsibility of the Demo-
cratic party for that deadlock and for the conse-
quent loss Of important measures fortnight
ago the Clerk Of the Senate. John 5. Kenyon, had
begun 10 call the roll upon Senator Laughlins
resolution for an investigation Of the Canal De
partment The names of two Senator'S had been
called. and within two minutes more the roll-call
would have been finished, and the resolution would
not have been longer considered II was at this
moment that Lieutenant-GOvernor Jones suddenly
assumed the chair ordered the Clerk to discon-
tinue calling the ron and permitted the Demo
cratic Senators 20 begin debating the resolution.
Ever since that time the Democrats have been de-
batting the resolution, amendments bearing upon
it. In this manner they have prevented the con-
sideration Of some 200 Assembly bills OF high
Importance. They would not permit Clerk Kenyon
to finish the completion of that interrupted roll
call Once that roll-call was completed. the AS
sembly bills would Immediately come before the
Senate for its consideration. The Democrats,
therefore by their obstructive tactics, have killed
the Assembly bills. Many Of them are local
measures in which thousands of persons are in
! terested
The final debate upon the Laughlin resolution
| for the investigation of the Canal Department
to-day was notable for one reason. The Demo-
! cratic Senators. with one exception, made no
| speeches. In fact, they could not do so with
any assurance after the passage by the Assembly
Yesterday of resolution for the appointment Of a
Gpecal committee to investigate the Canal De-
partment. If the Assembly Democrats were IN
| favor of an investigation OF the Canal Depart
ment, why should one be opposed by the Demo.
Gratis of the Senate? Mr.. Brown, the only DEM
| ocratic Senator who made set speech upon the
resolution, seemed to appreciate this inconsist-
ent attitude, because he frankly said that the
Democratic Senators opposed an investigation of
the Canal Department by Republican Senators
because they believed such an investigation would
harm the Democratic party The logic of this
confession is that an investigation OF the Canal
Department by the Democratic Assembymen VIII
not harm the Democratic party. The Democratic
Assemblymen will fire only blank cartridges when
they train their cannon upon the Canal Depart
ment.
Senator Vcdder asked Senator Brown II the
latter would be willing to grant President pro
TEN Fassett the right to name an investigating
committee of seven TO learn about the manage
ment of the Canal Department.
. "No," replied Mr.. Brown, 81 am opposed to
Senator Fassett appointing any such committee
"Butn said Mr.. Vedder, the Democratic
Speaker has just appointed such committee,
| II will be partisan committee, with five Demo.
Gratis and two Republicans as It's members. Why
| not grant us the privilege of appointing Canal
Inyestige Committee 5cr. WIN majority Oh he
Senator brown smiled and replied If we ever
| give Senator Fassett the authority to appoint
| this committee, he shall have the authority 10
appoint a majority of Republicans as its members
But do not think we will grant him that right
Senator Laughlin closed the debate with
speech of much ability reyeWhg I te edo dorSs1Ss is
| citation of the example of former legislatures
in making investigations. Thus, IN 1851 there
was an investigation Of the management OF tne
States asylums; in 1881 an Investigation OF the
! canals in the same year an investigation or the
Quarantine Department: in 1852 an lnvestlgas, ,gs
| ton Of the construction OF the capitol IN 1853
an investigation of the Commissioners OF Emlgra;,
tion: in 1884 an investigation of the armores, ana
in 8s5 an investigation of the State Engineers
| Department.
@Why not trust the Assembly TO make thor,
ourh investigation Of the Canal Department. =
| inquired Senator McCarTen.
why not ask the pot to investigate the black %
ness of the kettle ?" replied Senator Laughlin.
" You might as we'll do this as ask the Assembly
TO investigate the canals. Without any 4iten,
| tion Of being profane permit me TO say 1t would
| be suing the Devil and trying him in He'll"
| The Senate then upon motion of Senator fas-
sett took recess until tomorrow at 10 O'Clock.