New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-04-24
CO'gate's.
Cashmere Bouquet
Toilet Soap.
RECORD OF THE SESSION
a SUMMARY OF WHAT THE LEGIS-
LATURE HAS DONE.
ITS BEST ACHIEVEMENTS ARE IN THE DIREC-
TON OF WISE AND ECONOMICAL Ex-
PENDIrUREs- lMPoRTANT MEAS

1897. practically completed its work to-day all
the important bills before it having been dis
posed Of 1t Is q Legislature which has suffered
from the fact OF q tremendous party majority In
both the Senate and the Assembly. There was
no check on the majority. Reckless spirits often
swayed the Republican caucuses. The Demo-
cratic minority feeble in point of numbers
and especially in the Assembly. possessed no
man Of ability. Yet IL was in the Assembly. on
the whole, that the most credtahle work was
done for the Republican party. Tie Repub-
lcan Assemblymen were the conservative force
They constantly put check on the hasty steps
taken by the Senators 1t IS 10 the special
credit Of the Republican Assemblymen that they
killed Senator Platts bill to muzzle the news
papers Of the State. introduced by Senator Els
worth an "Anti-Cartoon'' measure-a bill
which had been damned through" the Senate
The bill which will make the session most
memorable was that providing a charter for
Greater New-York The second great legs-
lative measure that containing vital amend
ments 10 the Ranes Liquor Tax law. received
thorough consideration at the hands of the ablest
members OF the Senate and the Assembly
Every line of 1t scanned with
THE GOVERNORS BILLS.
Governor Black had three legislative measures
framed. and all of them passed the Legislature
Mr. Blacks credtable bills those for the
completion Of the State Capitol by contract, and
for tho purchase Of Sl000000 worth Of land in
the Adirondacks. Every one who has ever lived
in Albany IS aware of the fact that the old way
OF carrying work the Capitol by days
labor was very expensive method. 1t nevi-
tably caused waste OF the peoples money
Mr. Black had estimates made as to the cost Of
MI NV nd
that it would be $l.25OOOO He persuaded the
Legislature to appropriate that amount Of
money, and now he can have the satisfaction of
looking forward to the completion of the Capitol
by the end Of his term.
Mr. Black also had prepared BILL introduced
by Senator Lexow, in relation to Civil Service
examinations, which will bring back the spells
system of filling public offices. Mr. Black not
only had this bill drawn up but induced the
Legislature 10 pass IT, Governor has great
influence in the last hours Of a legislative
sion. when the Senators and Assemblymen are
conscious that most Of the measures in which
they are interested are in the possession of the
Chief Executive, and yet it required a caucus
10 drive the Republican, Senators and Assem-
blymen into line for this bill. 1t was with re-
luctance that many of them voted for it.
GOOD RECORD FOR ECONOMY.
In general. it may be said that the Legis-
lature. under the inspiration Of Gov ernor Black
showed an economical spirit 1t was the idea
Of the Governor that IL the small appropriation
measures could be kept down the State would
have more money to spend on the Capitol and
in the purchase of Adirondack lands. More
over the progress of the enterprise of the State
in expanding 100000 in canal improvements
rendered it necessary to reduce the States outgo
in many respects. The consequences Of this
policy were that the annual appropriation act
carried only the usual 100000 for the main
tenance of the State departments. The Supply
bill and the INDECENT Insane Tax BILL appro-
priating over S4,0o0.000, were also kept as low
as possible. The result of the policy of economy
is that there will be a redu ,tion in the State
tax rate. Notwithstanding the big appropria
tions for Adirondack lands and the Capitol
Mr. Black is entitled to the praise of having
first amended and then killed Senator Ellis
worths bill. which was supported by United
States Senator Plat. inficting penalty of the
severest kind for printing any ones portrait
without his consent. This was acknowledged to
be a hgh-handed measure, and nothing but
political pressure carried it through the Senate
Governor Black also put stop to the creation
of new State commissions. Only one bill manu-
featuring an office was passed by the Legis-
lature II authorizes the Governor to appoint
an additional Railroad Commissioner
THE TRUST INVESTIGATION
An Investigation was made of the operations of
trusts by Joint committee of the Senate and
Assembly, headed by Senator Lexow, and the
result Of this inquiry was the passage Of two
bills Intended 10 curb the workings OF com
birations to restrain trade" Governor Black
now has these bills under consideration and 1t is
somewhat doubtful II he VIII sign them.
II ,s among the regrettable omissions OF the
LEGISLATURE that no Good Roads bill was passed
Senator Higbie introduced such measure. and
State Engineer Adams favored it. but the farmer
element would not permit 1t to be passed Many
city Senators and Assemblymen think the state
will have to build several model roads IN various
counties of the State in order 20 convince the
farmers that Il is to their interest 10 nave soou
roads. A., 49,.
In the interest Of the railroads and the tray
elIing public q bill was passed forbcdlnS the
sale Of railroad tickets by other than authorized
agents. ", ,r.
After the charter, the greatest New-York City
measure passed was that lowering me price Oh
gas Ave cents a year until the rate OF 81 'hou-
sand feet shall be reached. .
a large number Of amendments to the Ballot
law which Senator Raines says are or an unlm-
portant character. are contained In biil whlch
he introduced and had passed and which Is now
before the Governor. Senator Brushs bill 10
reform primaries was also passed.
A ccdifcaton of the labor laws OF the State
was made.
10 bills were passed reducing telegraph, rail-
roed or telephone rates. although many were In
tciuced.
The Board OF Claims vas converted into a
Court OF Claims and Charles T. Saxton and
Johu j. Parkhurst were made two of the three
Judges Of the new court. which will begin bust
ness next January.
LAWS OF GENERAL INTEREST.
Among the general laws enacted which are Of
some interest are the following:
Prohibiting the carrying Of Knockout drops
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