New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-03-04
TWO THURSDAYS.

A week ago yesterday the majority leaders OF
the Assembly. after considerable difficulty. sue
ceeded in securing just enough votes 10 suspend
the rules and order the biennial sessions bill TO
a third reading The Democratic minority were
highly indignant, and as many OF them as couiu
be conveniently heard arose in succession and
solemny protested against measure which
had been launched with deadly malignity
against the palladium Of our liberties, had been
designed to promote autocratic rule. and was
being audaciously pushed by tyranncal Gov
ernor whose Interference with legislation was
already hideous scandal. Marshaled by their
official leader, the versatile and intrepid Don
nelly, they put themselves on record, not hope
fully. for even then they feared the worst, but
irrevocably and cheerfully in confident expecta-
ton of the reward which ultimately accrues to
martyrs in n good cause. With them ii was not
a question Of personal preference. No selfish
consideration inspired their zeal great prin-
clple was at stake. Popular government itself
was imperilled, their hearts bled for the people,
about to be more firmly shackled by a ruthless
despot, and they were ready TO 20 down 10 de-
feat being consoed and animated by the assur-
ance that their action. for the moment unavall-
ing, would be taken UP into the divine order
"of events and become part OF that Justice
"wherewth God rules the world
Yesterday the Assembly passed the biennial
sessions bill by vote Of 40 to D. two Demo
Gratis voting against 1t, one OF them being an
Albany member whose devotion to the financial
interests OF his constituents requires no explana-
ton All the rest, still following the leadership
Of the versatile and intrepid Donnelly. lined mp
in solid phalanx with the oppressors Of the
people and sent back his odlous instrument of
tyranny IN triumph to the despot by whom it
had been fashioned Singular circumstance:
Not at all The most natural thing in the world.
Last Saturday night Richard Croker told the
Tammany Executive Committee that he was in
favor Of biennial sessions, whereupon the Tam
many Executive Committee discovered that it
was unanimously in favor Of them Also and the
transaction had been completed. The hearts
which had been bleeding for the people at Al
bany dried up instantly. The versatile and in
trepid Donnely who had remarked two days
before with whitening sarcasm that the Iegsla-
ture consisted Of POI members, the Governor be-
ing the 2O1st perceived at glance that he
had been mistaken and that it really consisted
of 2O2 members-Rchard Croker being the 202d.
He simultaneously comprehended the moment
demand for biennial sessions" on Thursday
afternoon. the demand had become universal
and irresistible by Sunday morning.
The versatile and intrepid Donnelly is all
right He has squared himself by sublime
combination of velocity and precision. But how
about the premature and unprophetic Cantor?
In the Senate the die was cast TOO soon. and
that unhappy man was finally recorded on the
wrong side of the question. not merely 10 the
extent Of an adverse vote but by his damn
inc iteration Of the charge that 'the only people
"who are pressing this bill are the corporations
"and monopolists of this State 1t is true that
ever since he ascertained too late, that Mr..
Croker was going to press the bill he has been
indusriously engaged in bringing forth fruits
meet for repentance: but II remains to be seen
whether or not they will be accepted as com
plete atonement. II also remains to he seen
what course the people who are thus betrayed
into the hands of the tyrant will take. but it
is our opinion that they will decide that they
can stand 1t If Mr.. Cookers puppets can.