New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-04-14
JyDECENCIES OF LEGISLATION.

Some members of the Legislature who are not
generally accused of liking 10 do bad things seem
10 take pleasure in doing everything IN Dad
way The passage of the Raines amendments
BY the Senate on Monday night is case in point
The Tribune has expressed the CONVICTION that
II the Liquor Tax law is 10 be kept in operation
II ought TO he amended in such manner as 10
sion The gross offences which It now fosters, ana
that on the whole the changes advocated by
the country members Of the Legislature would
do more good than harm. 1t Is difficult Ques-
fion and one on which intelligent citizens may
and do disagree: but no sensible person can pos
siby believe that there is any necessity for rush
ing the amendments through with indecent
haste. by tyrannica procedures and sudden re-
versals Of the rules. They are not recommend
ed 10 The approval or the liberation OF the people
by such tactics as everybody in his sober mo-
ments would admit. But members probably as
sumo that such performances are soon forgot
l ten. Well that is not true. The details easily
pass out of mind. but distinct and extremely
|disagreeable impression is created and lasts
long. The liquor tax legislation has been par
ticularly unfortunate in this respect. year
ago the bill was damned through the Assembly
nv processes which were not merely disgraceful
hut absolutely lawless. If the Constitution were
held 10 mean just what ii says. the enactment
migbt have been ovcrthrown by an appeal TO
tie record showing that the doors Instead OF
being kept open. as the organic act requires, were
kept shut all day 10 prevent a coerced majority
from disappearing. The performance in the
Senate on Monday night was not so rank as that,
but II was discreditable TO all who madethem-
selves responsible for it.
The conduct Of the majority with respect to
the Greater New-Yorls cltrter has been OF sim
liar character al almost every stage. No doubt
many members felt keen satisfaction in show
ing their contempt for Mayor Strong by repass-
Ing the charter without single mention Of
BIS name or a reading OF his Veto but i'll real
fly their action was essentially vulgar. 1t fur
Their discredited them without doing him n par
ticle of HARM and is absolutely certain TO i'm
press serious and reputable people everywhere
with a deeper sense of the shabby and injurious
manner In which their representatives transact
the business Of the State. These members Of the
Legislature fancy that il is smart TO treat Mayor
strong with deliberate r1deness, but all the
while great majority of the voters are think
| pf how foolish 1t is TO be insolcnt to them.
We do not suppose that Governor Black will
take similar attitude toward the opponents Of
the charter. He certainly cannot afford TO.
number or respected citizens representing q
great variety Of interests and all elements Of tho
population. are preparing TO appears before the
oo'erhor at the hearings which he Is expected 10
give ihough he has RETAINED from committing
himself decisively, 1t is generally assumed tho,
| = means to approve the charter. Whatever his
on may De- we sincerely hope. for his sake
LII LOT the credit Of the State, that this final