New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-03-13

Senator Cantor, the minority leader In the
Senate. gave out the following tonight:
The proceedings In the Assembly to-day were
disgrace the State, and will seriously damage
the reputation which we have had for fairness. dig
nifty and decency in legislative matters. There can
be justification for the course Of the Republican
nia jority trampling upon the rights OF those who
refused - bow 10 the dictates OF the Republican
leadership and the Democratic minority. who. with
Justice their sde were srenuously. but In order,
opposing the passage OF this bill. II can safely be
asserted that the legislative proceedings OF no
STATE In the Union can show more extraordinary
conduct or scandalous and unparliamentary pro-
cecdings than that witnessed I'm the Assembly Cham
bcr today. 1t is the frst time in the history OF
this State that parliamentary law has been so ruth
lessy trampled upon.
A close call OF the Assembly was ordered. al
though the Speaker subsequently ruled that 1t was
an open call The object OF a call in legislative
body s simply for the purpose Of forcing the at
tendance OF members and when the Sergeant-at-
Arms ir pursuance OF such call, makes his report.
showing that all the members are present except
those whose absence has been excused py 'he
House al proceedings under the call must be ter
minated. and the rules. as well as parliamentary
law provide that business except that which
relates to tho call shall be transacted. quote from
"Croswell's Manuel" By which the Legislature Is
governed:
"A call Of the House being moved and carried
the galleries and lobbles are cleared and doo"
closed and business suspended until the proceedings
under the cali are terminate .,
Tnus no legislative business can be transacted
during the operation If the call This proposition
OF ali presiding officers this and all other states
has been uniform in h n oSs 30 be b
fore the proceedings under the cal had .erhsiso mn sso
he Deliberately vioaed not only .ne snd out consf
tutional provision besides. when prevent ine con on
sieratlon OF legislative business under call OF me
practically means tranSactlnB puo-
lie business in executive session me constitution
Each House shall keep a journal OF It's proceed
inss and publish the SAM except sScn oas par's sba
be kept open. except when the public welfare shall
II cannot be contendei. and was not even suggest,
by the Speaker tina the consderaton of TINS nlll
M hs of hs aGG hs point
Democratic leader was arbitrary ana IN VOCATION VOCATION
% that s Sf the only sp to nh
ings. like that Of grand jury 10 be Kept secret
the peace and happiness OF the state or & which
would TO subvert justice or order This Ger Ger,
Of this Bill And the consideration OF this measure
and Its passage In the Assembly were In direct con-
S vt; e. h of both o
dprS tbs Ss wa passd Sy H methods
reasonably certain that the court. Of TIL; this
eit Of the Ss Constuten It was said BY the Speaker
that it was an open session OF the Assembly This rms
mitted TO leave nor were citizens of this State who
had business with the Assembly or its membership.
permitted to enter to communicate even. except
by secret methods, with any member Of that body
These high handed proceedings were a fitting
climax to the methods employed by those who have
had this bill in charge from the time or Its intro
duction II has been carefully considered and
members OF both houses denied the privilege OF
amending the bill In any particular because the In
famous gag had been applied through the caucus
rule What a farce is this method OF legsla ton.
especially upon a bill confessedly as important as
this This bill. which revolutionizes the excise
system OF the State. creates vast political ma
chine and drags the traffic directly Into politics:
rally cd through both houses without due
consideration Of Its provisions without an oppor-
tunity having been given to the peoples representa-
tives to recommend changes which would improve
the measure II It had &c pass. and in defiance OF
the almost unanimous sentiment OF the people OF
this State Rules were set at defiance In both
houses and as a fitting end the Constitution itself
was violated. Nothing more. perhaps. could have
been expected of an autocratic and tyrannical ma
chine in search OF additional plunder and power.
1t Is to be sincerely hoped that before the bill
Is acted upon by Governor Morton he Will not only
give intelligent consideration to It's provisions and
do his duty to the people who are opposed to this
measure. but that he Will take into consideration
we'll the defiance OF rules and OF the Constitution
and the lack Of consideration which characterized
its