New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-04-25
prCTpPOCTTY IN LEGISLATION.

Iioutenant-Go Governor Woodruff is certainly to
no commended for the earnest effort which he
made in behalf Of good roads, and it is greatly
IA be regretted that he was unable to get the
hills on the subject out of committee in the clos
ING hours Of the session. But 1t occurs to US
n M he went tri1e too far when he served
notice ON Senators that he would begin per-
sonal fight for good roads early in the next ses
sion and that for all favors he might do he
should expect O return in the shape of votes for
FOOD roads Reciprocity of that sort in leglsa-
lion Is a rather dangerous principle TO estab-
Ush That there is a great deal Of il is I'M
fortunately true, and 1t is also true that In most
cases II operates to the prejudice OF the general
welfare and frequently TO the promotion OF
scapdalous Jobs for the evil influence of which
all the good accomplished by the trading is
very small compensation The practice of
"swapping" votes on the principle of you tickle
me and I'll tickle you is not looked upon with
favor Indeed, public condemnation Of it is so
positive and marked that the legislators who
practice il invariably do it on the sly and never
I'm the open They consider 1t very tlcklish
thing 10 talk about, and make their bargains
nrivately. never letting II be known that they
give their votes for or against a measure for
consideration.
The Lieutenant-G Governor lacks experience
He was indiscreet in making such declaration.
When he comes TO think OF 1t seriously, and
considers precisely what it means and how
the voters will view IT, we suspect that he Will
see that he has made mistake and have oc-
casion to regret il. The power OF presiding
officer in either branch Of the Legislature to
advance or retard pending measures, whether
Of public utility or for private advantage. Is
considerable, as is well known But 1t Is re-
garded with great jealousy by the members of
the bodies over which they preside, and its ex-
erclse is closely scrutinized by the public The
power welded by the Lieutenant-Governor N
this respect Is the more. jealousy watched by
reason Of the fact that he is not strictly speak
ing a member Of the body over which he pre-
sides. and not endowed, except upon special
emergencies, with the function OF legislation. III
IL were known that the Lieutenant Governor
was especially interested in the passage of a
particular measure, and that the personal IA
yors in his power TO grant or refuse Senators
would depend upon their support Of that meas
ure, 1t is easy 10 see that scandal of consider
able proportions would be sprung which could
not easily be explained. no matter how meri-
torious the measure might be.
As an abstract question of political ethics,
there Ia no doubt whatever that every measure
Of legislation should be Judged upon its own
merits, irrespective Of any other, and that any
combination or collision by which the passage
of one is made contingent upon the action re-
gardng any other is contrary to good morals
and subversive OF the general welfare In point
of fact, moreover, the practice of this principle
Of reciprocity In legislative bodies has been a
most prolific source Of mischievous enactments
and the means by which numberless corrupt
schemes for individual ACKNOWLEDGMENT at the
expense Of taxpayers have been carried through.
II is utterly indefensible that even the most
do their bargaining secretly and under some
sort Of disguise Of their real motives. We are
quite well aware that the business is carried on
10 most disgraceful and alarming extent at
Albany every session. and that the notoriety OF
II Is so great that there really seems TO be no
secret about it, But it is none the less true that
the traders cover their tracks so carefully that
proof Of corrupt collision is seldom If ever at
tainable. The Lieutenant C Overnor Is mex
perienced, ingenious and susceptible TO i'm.
piessions. Having seen Speaker O'Grady and
Governor Black exercise their power upon men,
bers quietly, perhaps but firmly, TO affect their
action upon certain measures he doubtless
thought there was no harm in his giving ont