New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-05-13
GREAT POWERS ABUSED.
HOW SHEEIIIAN AND SULZER NULIIFiED
THE LEGISLATURES ACTION.

COERcING SENATOR'S AND AsSEMBLYMEN AND
REFUSING TO SIGN BILLS WHICH HAD BEEN
PAssED-vEToEs by Gov FLOWER
Albany May Zone OF the greatest abuses OF power
In the Democratic Legislature, just adjourned was the
action of Lieutenant Governor Sheehan and Speaker
sulzer In refranng purposely from signing bills ana
thus certifying TO their passage. They would permit
bills to remain their desks which had come from
the Assembly or the senate, and not announce them
their aim being either TO coerce members or 10
defeat the bills by Withholding them from the horse
to which they had BEEN consigned. By thus I'M
scrupulpusy dealing with tho bills sent 10 them.
Mr. sheehan and Mr. Suzcr greatly expanded their
power the Senators and Asscmblymcn The
leaders OF the Republicans and Democrats were
frequently astoundcd by the with which sheeIan
and suzcr obtained support for Objectionable measures
The leaders could protect their measures, but the
less asscrvo members Of the Legislature felt them
selves In the power Of Sleehan and Suffer- ana acted
a, they desired.
The extent TO which Shechan and Sulzer carried
this practice was srlkngly shown to-day in state
mcnt by Assembyman Rice. OF Ulster County, In re-
laon TO Governor Flowers veto OF a bill making
an appropriation for the Eastern Reformaory. site
for which has been selected at Wawarsing. The
bill was introduced by Assemblyman Lounsbury.
Republican. Ex-Assehibyman George H. Bush, the
Democratic leader In the Assembly OF 1892, who was
defeated by Mr.. LOunsbury, probably Induced Governor
Flower TO veto II in order that Mr.. Louns0ury should
have the credit OF passing II.
Mr. Rice states that after the bill had passed
both houses OF the Legislature. he searched for 1t In
the Governors room. but could not lind 1t. FL
nay he discovered 1t in the possession OF Lieutenant
Governor Shechan, who had not signed It, Sheehan
at first positively refused to sign the bill.
why you so interested in Republicans bill''
he inquired Of Rice.
Because said Rice. "every voter In Ulster
County. whether Republican Democrat. wishes that
bill 10 pass. don't care whether Lounsbury's name
j. attached 10 1t or not
shcclan signed The bill, but sent his messenger to
the Assembly ahead OF Rice, with word TO sulzer rot
TO sign IT, Rice again found his way blocked but
after long and fcrcible talk with Suzer, extncttd
from him the confession that Shechan had requosted
him not TO sign the measure. BACK went Rice to
Sheehan and told him what Sulzer had said shre-
ham, not at all abashed said he would send his clerk
with Rice to Suzer and have him request Sulzer to
sign the bill.
Tho clerk went with me-, said Rice, but wnked
TO the speaker that 1t didn't and SO Sulzer wouldn't
| sign the bill"
Then Rice went back to shcchan again, and spoke
TO him plainly about his treacherous performance:
and at last Shcehan sent word sincerely by his clerk
TO sulzer telling him that he might sign the BILL
suzer did So, said Rice shut Sheehan slipped down
to Flowers Office ahead Of me, and got him preju-
diced against the bill that he vetoed It,"
This statement Illustrates how audacOusly Sheehan
and Srlzer abused their power Of signing or not sign
ing Ills.
Governor Flower to-day vetoed Assemblyman Quig-
leys bill, providing that the employees OF the street
railways In ROch, ester and Buffalo shall not work
more than ten hours a day The Governor says:
The bills great disadvantage is that II exemps New
York City and thousands OF street surface and elevated
alrold employees beneficial effects OF the exist
ing Tcn.hOur law. / not aware that the workingmen
rmpoyed upon railroads In that great city care TO
be exempted the provisions OF an act which they
we're largely instrumental in passing and which mas
served useful purpose in shortening their hours OF
labo:.
1t seems that certain Charles McKinstry has
claim against the State for hogs which died OF
cholera But the Governor vetoed tie act which
woulI have permitted the payment OF his claim lie
says in part:
To enact this bill would be to establish dangerous
prcceent for The law In such cases Is Wen
defined It does not contemplate destruction OF cattle OK.
cent where destruction necessary 10 prevent sprea'
the disease and it only contcmplates indemnify or
DESTROYED the destruction takes place upon cne
,rier OF the Governor has agent