New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-02-03
To MEET EVERY TWO YEARS
LOTION LOOKING TO BIENNIAL SESSIONS
OF THE LEGISLATURE.
CONSTITUTIONAL. AMENDMENT WILL BE RE-
PORTED FAvORABLY IN THB SENATE To
DAY THE ASSEMBLY JUDICIARY
COMMITTEE TIE WITH
L.AISiBEER ABSENT.
[BY TELEGRAPH To THE rRIpusE1

[BY TELEGRAPH THE 'TRIBUNE1
Albany Feb. 2-The greatest enactment
which has yet been brought TO the attention OF
the Legislature amendment to the Consti-
tuition providing FOR biennial sessions after 1901
Will be reported favoraby tomorrow by the
Senate judiciary Committee. Governor Black
in both 81 his messages has urged this change
in the fundamental law. The Constitutional
Convention ~ 1894 considered the subject Of
biennial sessions. and decided that they were
not feasible. owing TO the large business inter-
ests ~ the State which yearly require legsla-
ton in their behalf
The amendment pro posed provides that As
semblymen shall have term Of two years. and
senator's one Of four years Democratic politi-
clans are declaring that Senator Plat is press
ing the amendment. with the aim OF assuring his
own reelection IN 1903. and also the election In
400 Of such man as Charles W. Hackett Sc
Letting him In 1893. The State Senators elected
IN 1901 under this arrangement having q term
~ four years would vote both for Mr. Platt's
successor and for the successor OF the man who
Will succeed Senator Murphy in 1899
The amendment for biennial sessions was in
,roduced by Senator Stranahan. At the hearing
before the Senate judiciary Committee this
afternoon Mr Stranahan was the only speaker
although Governor Black showed his interest
IN The measure by having present his legal ad-
wiser Mr.. Lincoln. Mr. Stranahan said that
Nev-York State was one OF only six States in
,h4 whole Union 10 have annual sessions Of it's
LEGISLATURE. and that Of the six two were among
The smallest States. namely. Delaware and New
Jersey. There were no longer any necessity for
yearly sessions
Previous 20 the adoption Of the Greater New
York charter" he said there was always an
argument against biennial sessions because OF
the yearly need New York City felt Of having
a Legislature which she could apply 10 for per-
mission 10 open improve a street, or 10 do
some other act which clearly a matter Of
local consent
out Of six hundred bills which came before the
cities Committee Of the Senate last year over two
hundred were New-York City measures remarked
Nh stranahan. and large majority Of these
could now be attended to by the Municipal AS
sembly 81 the city. There now no reason
for yearly sessions Of the Legislature and the
people would heartily approve Of the PROPOSE
ton 10 call II q Legislature together but once in
two years
Assemhlyman Litchard. OF Allegary County,
the sponsor FOR the biennial session resolution in
the Assembly. the only speaker before the
Assembly judiciary Committee which discussed
Ile demanded biennial sessions because Of the
great saving TO the taxpayers.
Assernbynan Fish Of Madison County, a
member n the committee asked Mr.. Litchard
y he dd not realize that as the Constitution Of
the State provided that the legislators should
receive ar annual salary Of $500 they would
by his resolution receive So 900 each for really
one years attendance in the Legislature, and
have ha ayip0 o<
lators salaries to the State. Mr.. Litchard re-
Piled that the members salaries were merely IN
cdental 10 the cos, Of legislation. and but a
small Item compared with the yearly outlay.
In executive session the Assembly committee
tied a motion TO report the hill out. the vote
teins 10 Asssmblyman Laimheer. Of New
York who was absent As understood to be
IN favor Of the bin. and at It's next meeting
the committee II expected TO make a favorable
nIort. subcommittee. composed Of Messrs
Armstrong and Fish was selected TO consider
the measure further and report 70 the commit
tee al its next meeting Members Of the COM
uittee stated that they had no doubt that the
measure would be finally reported.
stin another measure OF large importance
which took a big stride forward today was Mr.
Nixon's bill declaring that town meetings shall
nC longer be- held In the spring. but shall all be
cCLcentrated al the general town election. The
design ~ this measure avowedly is TO get out
the rural Republican vote at the general cleo
tens. There is a general complaint among Re
publican politicians that the Republican farmers
- late years or since Mr.. Plat became promi-
nent In Republican affairs showing more
Interest In the spring town meetings than they
are In The State elections The bill IL opposed
by some rural Republican Assemblymen who
prefer TO have town meetings separate from
State elections. 10 keep the town meetings
from the control Of politicians