New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-10-04
PLANK AND RECORD.

There is a good deal TO be said in favor OF
biennial sessions Of the Legislature of New
York and there are some entirely Respectable
arguments against them; but the Democratic
orators who open their mouths on the subject
in the present campaign must look out for their
feet Just now we observe disposition on
the part of those who are engaged in producing
panegyrics Oh the Syracuse platform TO d1late
upon the great and glorious fact that Mr..
Crokers convention adopted resolution III
support Of the biennial sessions amendment,
while the Republican Convention had nothing
TO say about it. Nevertheless. we venture To
predict that not few Democratic statesmen
who are expecting to turn themselves loose on
the stump are even now making mental
reservation with respect to this topic
For the fact is that the Democratic members
of the Legislature which passed the amendment
have an extremely awkward record on the
question of biennial SESSIONS. AT the outset
they were all dead against the bill Ia both
Senate and Assembly. Because IL had been
introduced under Republican auspices Perish
the thought. 1t was the damEable principle OF
the thing which aroused their undying hatred
and several of the most impassloned bursts OF
eloouence that ever threatened to bring down
the ceiling Of the new Capitol and put the state
to large additional expense upon that building
were evoked by the prospect OF legislative
session only every other year. In the Senate
the Democrats were defiant to the last, and
Mr.. Cantor in particular produced profound
effect upon himself. and doubtless also upon
Others. by declaring that nobody wanted the
bill passed except corporations and mOnopoes.
In the Assembly the history of the bill was
somewhat different. Up to certain date no
Democrat hcstated to declare that II was a
vindictive assault upon the Palladium of our
Liberties and that Freedom would shrek loud
enough 10 be heard all over the Commonwealth
the moment that ruthless majority passed
the bill. Notwithstanding these maledctons. Of
which the Democratic leader. Mr.. DoDnelly, in
his official capacity WAS especially prolific. the
bill was ordered 10 third reading on the last
Thursday in February, and all his colleagues
Instantly erected their ears to receive the con
6rmaton Of his prophecy. Much to their sur
prise. they heard nothing drop until the fol-
lowing Saturday evening. when Mr.. Croker re
marked 10 the TammaDy Executive Commit
tee that biennial sessions would be good
thing The Tammnny Executive Committee
thought So too, and the next Thursday, Just
one week after Mr.. Donnellys announcement
that our free institutions were about to be left
without a leg 10 stand on. the bill passed the
Assembly. all the Democrats voting for II ex-
cent two one Of whom, being an Albany mem
lrr was generally recognized as not counting.
The fEal appearance of the democratic AS
.ru,,ay,ncn on the record thus COMFORTS fairly
w.l with the biennial sessions plank In the
syracuse platform. But how about their previ-
cus conslgnmcnts TO perdition of everybody
ubo favored a scheme which would give the
S.ove,nor AN intolerable increase Of power kick
sasular rights into the gutter and convulse