New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-04-13
NO SPEEDWAY REPEAL YET
PERSISTENT EFFORTS OF TAMMANY TO
STAvE OFF ACTION ON THE BILL
SENATOR ERwIN's PLAIN LANGUAGE-sHAMnp
LESS LOBBYING IN THE ASSEMBLY
AGAINST THE MEAsURE-THE CITIES
COMMITTEE NOT TO TAKE IT
UP UNTIL TOMORROW.

SOMMiITEE NOT TO TAKE II
UNTIL TOMORROW.
trRoN STAFF CORRESPONDENT or TIE rsBUyzl
Albany, April I2.-In the Senate this morning,
a bill was brought forward TO compel commission
merchants in New-fork receiving agricultural
products from the rural counties to make re-
turn Of their sale within twenty-four hours after
the receipt Of the goods. An extraordinary de-
bate followed All the city members opposed the
bill. Senator Plunkitt, the sweetest-scented lily
in the entire Tammany contingent, put himself
in the centre Of the room and, assuming look
which he intended to be expressive
of vrtuous indignation, declared that the
bill was bad one. strike
at honorable and honest New-Yorlz merchants;
that 1t was wicked Job, and that it ought not
to pass. Tlase remarks greatly excited Senator
Erwin. When Mr.. Erwin is in an emotional
condition the tones Of his voice greatly resemble
the mellow roar Of an angry mastif.
"The Senator from the XIth," he said, in his
most impressive tone, "ought to know job when
he sees one. I'd like him to tell me il he ever had
a bill here that wasn't job? I'd like him to say
il he ever in his life experienced the sensation OF
voting from pure and unselfsh motive. lie is
fine man to talk to us about jobs or about
sincerity. lie came here the other day with his
Speedway bill He said it was good bill, and
that everybody in New-York wanted 1t to pass.
And we countrymen. in guieless innocence.
supposing that if New-York wanted road for
fast trotters, and willing to put up the money
to pay for it, ought not to stand in the citys
way. voted for the bill, and it was passed.
In twenty-four hours the whole city was up in
arms, denouncng this Legislature and demanding
the repeal of the bill Instead of everybody want
ing it, it immediately appeared chat nobody wanted
ii, except few rich men who trying to
gobble up for themselves the pleasure grounds Of
the people. Every newspaper, every labor organi-
zaton, every organ and instrument Of public
opinion, combined in demanding the repeal OK
that Senator's job. Then lie stood up before US
and with that same virtuous look on his face that
is there now he told us he bowed to public opin-
ion, and asked US TO JOIN WIN MN
in repeating the bill / knew then that he did
not mean a word Of what he was saying.
knew il, and said So l stood right here where
| am standing now and declared that the Dill
would never get through the Assembly, and that
the Senator did not intend TO let it do so.
knew that Tammany Hall was under obligation
to pass the Speedway bill, and that it would be
under obligations to prevent the repeal.
Now then, where is your repca1
bill? 1t lies buried in the Assembly
Cities Committee. A fourox team could
not draw III out Inc VI lA"e
committee has promised to report it again and
again, but there it stays, and there it is going
TO stay until this Legislature adiourns. You all
know IT, You know that you trying to hum
bug the people Just as you always do You have
cc.ue here protesting TO want to repeal the bill.
and with power to do it; you are keeping 1t In
the cCmmittee, and trying 10 sneak out OF
the responsibility Of your acts. l never see the
virtuous expression on the face OF a Tammany Hall
Representative which now adorns the chaste and
classic countenance of the Senator from the Alth.
without knowing that it is time 10 keep my eyes
and OPEN
Every word that Mr.. Erwin said was the literal
truth Within an hour after the arrival here
Yesterday of Croker, Martin and Clark it was
settled that the Speedway Repeal bill should not
be allowed to get away from Mr.. Wehsters COM
mttee The Tammany people, however. talked very
fine. They would report the bill tomorrow MORN
ing They would have meeting of the committee.
before the Assembly met, and they would see 10
it that a quorum was present. and that the Com
mittee on Rules would bring forward special
order for the benefit of the Repeal bill. But when
the committee net this morning only two persons
were present: aud when it met again this after
noon resolution was passed putting the matter
over until Thursday.
The meaning of this is that Tammany has
set nice little trap for the countrymen.
Republicans and Democrats alike. 1t can
rely, OF course, on the Democratic country
members They will be controlled by
Murphy Sheehan and Bush, and will do just
they are told. Great efforts are now being made
TO pull in a number of country Republicans 50
that some part OF the responsibility for the failure
Of the Repeal bill may be thrown upon them, and
Tammany will say TO New-lorkers that IL did its
best to get the Repeal bill through, but was de-
feated by these country Republicans who are
always interfering with New-lork City affairs.
That is the scheme now. Mr.. Hustled and the
Republican leaders understand it, however, and are
exertiug themselves to prevent its success
The Speedway peoples lobby is large and power
full IL has full possession of the floor Of the
House, and was supported by select lobby In
the smoking room. The conduct Of these fellows
was a disgrace TO the Assembly. They summoned
dozens Of members into corners Of the smoking
ROOM and there piled all their seductive arts
1t cannot be doubted that they did good deal
u The f''te people '' Of New-York must understand
that Temmany's interest in this mater
is only the interest of an attorney
is under Obligations. Croker and Martin arc
doing their best 10 discharge the obligations; put
the interests behind them are even more active
than they. These interests are represented mere
to-day by Mr. Delavergne and Mr.. Busby. They
are telling the country members that II the ke-
peal bill fails great market will be created IN
Sew-York for trotting horses. and that IL is.
therefore. immensely TO the interest Of all the
country districts that the speedway should be
Constructed This argument has undoubtedly had
some effect. It's absurdity is apparent to any one
who thinks, but there are good many
people who don't think, and some OF them gee
elected TO the Legislature. II is necessary thas
public opinion in New-York should again assert
Itself The Repeal bill is utterly dead unless the
people take it up again and present their demahds
with such force as TO compel obedience IL 10
certain that the Republicans. practically without
exception, will support the Repeal bill i y can
he got out Of committee; and II Richard Cr9ks.
the right way, out it will come ip my