New-York tribune., 1894-04-26
GOOO WORH At .iLBANl


The Legislature made a remarkable record OF
good work done yesterday. having sent TO 'he
Governor nearly all he measures Of prime inn
portance which have engrosscd public attention
during the last months Early in the day the
Republican Senators promptly ana III perfect
good faith carried out the agreement arrived at
on Monday night in their caucus, and after
brief debate passed three great and essential
reform bills These were the bills giving the
Mavor of New-York power 10 remove heads of
departments, the bill putting the Sheriff OF
NewYork on n salary Of $4,000 year and
turning his rich fees into the treasury and the
bill compelling the Dock Department to adopt
the contract system in its operations These
bills had already been passed by the Assembly
and it rests with the Governor to sign them
or take the consequences of popular indignation
and rebuke The work of the Assembly was
further advanced than that of the Senate, ana
at its session yesterday it had no measure oil
the first importance before it except the Cham-
Der Of Commerce Rapid Transit BILL when mas
becn so long discussed. so seriously threatened
with disastrous amendments. ana apparently
more than once defeated. This measure the
Assembly to the honor not only of the RepuD
lican majority but of several Democratic mem
massage of these bills in the respective houses
the way was clear for necessary party con-
sultation later In the day and the prospect of
an adjournment this week, with an admirable
record TO be judged by the people, was most
encouraging.
Subsequently the Republican Senators held
caucus and determined to pass the Bi-farusah
Police Board bill in the exact form in which
Il. rbpi
was carried out at the evening session, ana
against the determined and bitter hostility OF
the Democratic minority, obcdient as ever TO
the dictation of Tammany Hail. this great meas
ure TO protect elections in this city and smash
the corrupt despOtiSm Of the bosses was sent
to the Governor That a tremendous pressure
will be brought to bear upon him to defeat 1t
with veto is not to be doubted But the Gov
ernors intentions, whatever they may be- the
Republican majcrities in the Senate and House
have no occasion to consider They nave done
their duty with courage and fidelity, ana ther
responsibility has ceased. The people will read
lily find a way to punish the Governor and his
mentors if he dares 10 thwart their Will
The Senate also took action upon the Cham
Der of Commerce Rapid Transit bill. but not
such action. we regret to say, is entirely sat
isfactory to the most sagacous advocates OF the
original measure and to a great majority of the
intelligent citizens of New-Iork. The bill
which the Republican Senators agreed upon in
caucus and afterward passed at the evening
session is not the bill passed by the Assembly
early in the day. Though far less objectionable
in certain respects than the Senate amendments
Of last week left il, 1t still contains at least
two provisions which greatly diminish its value
These are the provisions giving to Governor
Flower the power Of choosing the RAPID
Transit Commission Of four members-two Re
publicans and two DemOcrats-and referring
the question of municipal construction to popu-
lar vote Doubtless it would be advisable, If
1t were necessary that the Governor should
appoint this Commission, that its members
should not all belong TO Tammany Hall
Rut II is not necessary or safe or in any way
desirable that politics should be introduced into
this enterprise and especially that Tammany
Hall Governor, pledged and devoted to the
interests Of that detestable organization, should
be enabled to choose the men who are to carry
out a popular undertaking Of such magnitude
The bill as it was passed by the Assembly
names for Commissioners citizens of undoubted
sagacity integrity and public spirit The con-
stitutionallty OF this provision has been con
clusively established by expert opinion and
numerous precedents. Without gross incon-
sistency and wanton betrayal of the public
welfare Governor Flower cannot veto the bill
IF sent to him in that form In our judgment
that Is the form in which it ought to be sent
to him. and we sincerely hope that this will
be the final conclusion OF the Republican ma
jorities in both houses.
If the industry and determination which char
acterized the proceedings yesterday are again
in control to-day. the work Of the session can
be quickly completed to the lasting credit of the
Republican lawmakers and Of the party at
large, and to the satisfaction Of the people Of
this State. But a relaxation of effort or of con
science would be perilous. Constant vigilance
until ihe last moment is imperative. and ii is
an immense satisfaction to believe that it will
not be wanting.