New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-04-22
THE LEGISLATURE or 1899.

The Legislature has adjourned and the
people from one end of the State to the
other breathe easier So long as it
lasted it was menace of the pub
lie welfare. a scandal and a nuisance. Made
Democratic by outrageous frauds upon the
voters, it was a tainted and discredited body
from the day it organized. Its achievements
were what were to be expected from majority
controlled by leaders who had stolen three of
the seats in the Senate 1t passed Liquor
bill which in its last analyses was an act to
promote intemperance and vice-a stumbling
block in the path of general prosperity. 1t
passed Reapportionment bill which gerry
manders the Congressional districts as prac-
tcally TO disfranchSe thousands of citizens and
dishonesty to add to the political power of the
cities at the expense of the country districts.
1t passed an Inspectors of Elections bill which
is nothing if not a conspiracy against the bal
lot -bOX of the metropolis Il conspiracy which
will enable Tammany TO count in and count
out whom she chooses. II passed a Speedway
bill which proposed TO ruin Central Park for
the many in order that the few might be pro-
vided with glt-edged racetratk. II passed
" lIucllleberly" bill, one of the most indecent
of Jobs which was concOcted with the aim OF
filling the pockets of monopoly and heecng
this city in the operation. IL passed series
of bills striking down home rule in Buffalo,
Rochester. Ogdensburg, YonkerS, Lansingburg
and other paces-bis 50 absolutely indie
feasible as TO recall the most profligate days Of
the Tweed era
That is the sort of Legislature ii was
the tool of the worst elements i'll the state.
the agent of seat-Stealers, spectators, monopo-
lists saloonkeeperS. the Hills, the MurphyS. the
Crokers Reputable citizens had no influence
with it. They asked it to pass coed, prac-
teal Compulsory Education bill, which might
check the rising flood of ignorance in our large
cities 1t refused. They asked il to improve
the ballot law, by providing for the blanket
ballot. experience having demonstrated that
that sort of ballot is sorcly needed. 1t refused.
They asked it to make some disposition of the
refunded war tax which would keep it from
being wasted. II refused They asked it to
examine the question of taxation with a view
to an equitable readjustment of the burdens
now resting upon the shoulders of the people.
1t refused. They asked il to rid the Court OF APP
peals of Judge whose presence on that bench
of last resort is public disgrace and humilia-
ton. 1t refused They asked it to withhold seats
in the Senate from three applicants all of whom
had been defeated by the voters of their re-
spective districts Ii refused. That is the
kind Of Legislature it was. The enemy of
practical reform, the enemy Of wholesome legis-
laton the enemy of honest elections, the
enemy of the taxpayers. j. it any wonder.
then that member of such body was al
lowed to retain his place after he had grossly
nsultcd the women of the State by applying
to them in open debate language which was
too foul to admit Of publication?
On another page will be found a review Of
the session in which its leading features are
presented. The more this record is examined
the worse it will be for the Democracy Of this
State. It's chosen representatives, were in the
majority in both the Senate and Assembly.
II was great opportunity, but it was greatly
abused. The Legislature Of 1892 will long
remain "a synonyme of whatever is most base,
cowardly and inefficient in governmental ser
vice.