New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-11-17

VORK FOR THE NEXT LEGISLATURE.
One of Tammany's crying sins is its per-
sistent refusal to send lawmakers to Albany
who are fitted by character and ability to dis
charge their important duties. A solid Demo-
cratic delegation, thirty strong, will sit IN the
Assembly of 1898 for this metropolis, and
there is scarcely man of the thirty who can
be depended upon to render good service.
And what is true of New-York is true of Kings
County. The Kings delegation is a weak and
inefficient one As for the Democratic ma
jority as a whole, it is to be said that 1t can
be searched in vain for member who stands
in any danger of being regarded as states
man. OF the majority in the Senate which
holds over nothing need be written, since the
people are familiar with the record which 1t
made wear ago-a record which cOnvicts 1t
of being 10 the last degree reckless and par
tisan.
Now all this is unfortunate, since a good
deal of important legislation ought TO be ac-
complished in 1898. 1t is generally conceded
by the best men of both parties that the Ballot
Reform law stands in need of amendment. A
blanket ballot is urgently demanded. The re-
cent convention of those who are especially in
tercstcd in the canals shows that an earnest
effort will be made next winter to obtain
large appyopriation to continue the work OF
lock -lcngthening and other improvements
Compulsory education is still an issue, since
the Compulsory Education law now upon tho
statute books is dead letter The future OF
the Adirondacks demands the passage OF an
act of some thorough sort at an carly day
The champions of coed + ads are doubtless
prepared to move upon the Legislature without
delay. and they will be entitled to respectful
considerations The tax laws are tho occasion
of many complaints, especially on the part OF
the farmers. who protest that under the present
system of taxation they bear moro than their
share of the public burdens. We may be sure
that our old friend, the new Capitol will be
asking for another big appropriations
These are matters of obvious importance. 10
them must be added recommendations which
will be made by the Governor in his annual
message, and by the State officials and State
boards in their annual reports. New York is
an empire. Her interests are many, varied ana
vast. 1t follows, therefore. that the men
chosen u leeislate for this state ought to
enjoy the general confidence and possess the
standing and influence which brains command
when they are backed by integrity. Never
theless, the Tammany leaders and the Demo
cratic leaders over the Bridge, for reasons best
known to themselves. instead of sending their
best men to the Legislature. send, as rule,
Job lot. No wonder that The Buffalo EX-
press; is moved 10 eXclam:
a more unpromsng batch OF statesmen than the
men who will make up the majority OF the next A.
scmbly was never before brought together In lesis
latlve body. The Assembly was lad enough last ear
but the Democrats have left The best Of their last
years men AT home. and unless some OF the new men
develop respected ability. even the city Of New
York will be sighing for the good Old days OF hay
seed Legislatures bcfo.c the session is over.
This is severe but true. Isn't it high time
that Tammany and the rest of the Democracy
randered a little more to public sentiment in
their choice OF lawmakers?