New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-04-25
DEMOCRATS BEATEN IN THE ASSEMBLY,
GOVERNOR HILL UNABLE TO CONTROL HIS
PARTY ON Mr.. JoHNsoN's DIRECT
TAX RILI.


Albany, April "a (speciaD-Charles p. McClellahd
the Democratic leader, in long political speech In
the Assembly this morning pretended that lie had great
love for his constituents whom he was so anxious 10
serve by having his bills now IN the Senate passed.
Not twenty minutes after he had made this declaraton
with every show of sincerity, he whipped around ana
exhibited about the regard for his constituents
as lie did when he promised them hearing OF tho
Elevated Railroad bill and then had the bill Killed
in committee two days before the time set for the
hearing 1t is not well known, perhaps. that this COM
mittee has been holding down for several weeks bill
introduced by /. Sam Johnson, Of Wyoming County,
providing that the Direct Tax money which re-
turned to this State by Republican National Admins
tratlon should be distributed among the counties Of
the State In proportion to the valuation Of their prop
! erty at the time when the tax levied for war
purposes in 1861. Such. however, is the case Only
yesterday, while the reports Of committees were in
order, Mr. Johnson obtained recognition to make n
motion TO discharge the Ways and Means Committee
from further consideration Of the At the
quest Of of the Democratic members who wanted 10
make report from committee, Mr.. Johnson ut that
time withdrew temporarily the motion. After the
report had been /de the Speaker took advantage Of
The fact that this was the last committee to make
report and consequently ruled that the House had gone
out OF the order OF reports OF committees. In which order
only can motion TO discharge a committee from
further consideration be made. Mr.. Johnson was
feet to-day shouting for recognition from tho
time that reports received until
the Speaker practically forced 10 recognize him.
He then made the motion to discharge the committee
In connection with it he made long speech. showing
how much each county would receive OF the money if
1t was returned to the counties In accordance with the
provisions Of this bill lie said that he wanted the
people of the State TO know just what the Democratic
Assembly trying to do in the direction of keeping
up the taxes. He told McClelland that he wanted
know If he dared to back TO his county and tell them
that he had refused to legsate In the direction Of
reducing the taxes of his county by over 100000
Mr.. McClelland moved to lay the motion OF Mr.
Johnson on the table. The Democrats tried escape
one. 81 want to put these men record" said Mr.
Johnson.
The rollcal showed that four Democrats voted with
the Republicans, and that the motion TO lay Mr. John
sons motion on the table had been defeated by vote
of 40 TO 81. Speaker Sheehan attempted TO decide
the motion carried and order the clerk to proceed with
the calendar The Republicans would not stand such
rulings and dozen of them up in instant, de-
handing reversal Of the decision, the vote showed
Mr. Sheehan bent over and went through the form OF
asking the clerk what the motion was, and then an
nounced in low voice that the motion had been de-
feated. lie was evidently greatly disturbed and mud
died. for he apparently forgot that the pending queS-
ton then the motion made TO discharge the COM
mtce and il had to be brought to his attention. An
the Republicans, with the help Of the four country
Democrats the fight The bill was taken away
from the committee and now is on the order OF second
reading. -
This makes three times in week that HIPS AS
sembly has gone back on him at critical time.