New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-04-06
Hills IND BILLS.

Many bills of many kinds are before the LcSis
laturc, but It is easy and for certain purposes
useful TO divide them into two classes-bills that
do not pass and bills that do Among the bills
that do net pass are those which emboiy the
wishes of 154OOO voters of Ncw-York and are
essential TO the establishment of honest and cih
Gent government in this city. They are held up
by the orders Of Mr.. Platt. who has not succeed
ed in making deal with Mayor Strong and is
consequently in very ugly and imperative
mood. There is no pretencc of denying this fact
in any quarter 1t is not merely conceded but
proclaimed by his followers that this is the gist
of the controversy 1t appears in every line of
the statement put forth by Mr. Platt himself
over the signature Of Mr. Lauterbach. Plat
cannot control the Mayor, and therefore Tam
many shall continue 10 infcSt the city govern
ment and prolong some Of the worst evils ana
discraces from which the people voted to deliver
themselves There is still considerable talk
about the eventual passage Of the police bills in
one form or another but LeXow and OConnor,
who do most eff the talking. indulge in 50 many
contradictory assertions and are evidently 50
doubtful as 10 their final instructions that II
would be foolish 10 predict the result at TINS
stage in the manOeuvres. As for the Police
Magistrates bill, many shrewd observers of
events at the State capital are convinced that 1t
will not become a law at this session We're say
ing yesterday, In fact, that after Thursdays
hearing 1t was sure TO die in the hands Of the
Senate committee Such is the legislative his
tory and such the prcsumptive fate Of "A meas
urc absolutely Indispensable 10 the orderly and
upright administration Of the criminal law in
this city.
In the other class Of bs-bills that pass in
the night or at other times when locomouon Is
easy and unobserved-is found the bill 10 in
crease the force in the NewYork District-Attor
neys Office by two Assistant District-Attorncys
at salaries Of $500 apiece. This bill passed the
Senate on Thursday. In conformity with gen
eral recognition Of its necessity and demand for
its enactment? Well, hardly 1t was introduced
by Mr.. Mcmahon, Tammany Senator, and II
was contrived 10 increase the patronage Of an
Office which will remain a Tammany stronghold
until January /, 1897; office, moreover, which
is already scandalously Ovcrequipped with men
who do very little hard work and are excessive
" remunerated The DistrictAtorncy and his
staff. generally speaking, have an easy time
Excepting on rare occasions and for brief periods
they have more leisure than they need for any
other purpose than that Of increasing their hand
some income from the city by private practice
There is not the slightest public advantage TO be
gained by adding two new members To the force
which could not be gained without additional
expense by compelling the present inculnbents
to earn their salaries.
This is q job; but because the bill Is advocated
by a Tammany Senator for the benefit of Tam
many Hall it is passed by a Senate which duty
and public sentiment cannot constrain TO pass
measures essential TO the welfare of the whole
community.