New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-02-11
DEBATE ON THE CANAL BILL.
,--,,o-p .Trc AMENDMENTS VOTED DowrS-sENA
TOR MALBY's UNIQUE SPEECH.


TOR MALBY's UNIQUE SPEECH.
Albany. Feb lO-when Senator Higgins chair
rar o. the Finance Committee. reported the As
.sr,bjy Canal Investigation bill favorably 10 the
se,ats to-day. ne stated that the three Democratic
-,A,,.rs q the committee were not present when
,hs MEASURE was acted ON. and added that If they
- h.en present they would have been recorded in
the negative.
Senator Cantor said that the action OF tho com
rittee on an important political bill in the absence
NJ ~. Democratic members was a breach OF COM
mon deceucy.
ss,ator Higgins replied IN a heated speech. as
s4r,ing hat notice of the meeting had been given
from the Chair. He said that he would leave the
question OF the honesty Of his action to his col
leagues and - he was light would demand an apo!-
ocy from Senator Cantor
senator Cantor insisted that scant courtesy had
hon shown TO the Democrats, and again said that
the Republican members Of the Finance Committee
me; hurriedy after yesterdays meeting of the Sen
ate and approved ;he bill He declined 10 make an
apology.
senator Ra,nes. a member Of the Finance Com
r1tee said the meeting was not neld until some
tine after adjournment yesterday.
ssns;nr Cantor moved that the vote OF the three
r,arno,ratic rlembers-hnself Senator Guy and
Senator Koehler-be recorded as opposed 70 the bill
Senator Raines objected. but was willing that II
shoua Be recorded that had the Democratic men,
~
negative He offered amendment TO that eject.
NAr.BY SAYS THE BILL WAS ''RAILROADED."
Senator'S Wray Lexow and Mahy spoke IN favor
~ na--rittinr the minority 20 be recorded pro-
,4d4d IN Senator Cantors motion. Senator Malby
SAID ths hueiroes OF the Finance Committee yester-
dsy had been rapidly brought 10 en- end. ne MN
self went 70 the committee-roon soon AFTER the ad-
tourrrneat Of the Senate. but the meeting was
over He directed to taking q technical advantage
ID willing that the DerDOcrdtc
.Ynsnbers O. The Finance Committee should De re-
corded in any way they might desira
Senator Ellsworth took the ground that the Sen
ate could not amend the report OF standing COM
r.itis- ana suggested recommitrnent With instruo-
tons 70 amend.
Senator W-ay pu, the suggestion IN the form OF
an an endrneut by way Of substitution
Senator Ralnes declared that the effect OF Senator
Csr.or's motion would be TO have 1t appear on the
records Of the Senate that the chairman OF me
principal committee OF the Senate hau Oe7&i 'o"
su-se by the majority.
Senator = p Brown said re should oppose Sena-
.o- Cautor's motion because the courtesy OF The
majority had been asked for tn discourteous
manner.
Senator Rsines raised the point OF order that
Senator Wray's substitute that tho Dill ne recon-
rritted and Senator Cantors motion 70 amend me
r~s,cA Committee report were not in order.
Ifeutenant-G Governor Woodruff held the point Of
order well taken and the bill was sent 70 the Com
mlttee OF the Whole.
About O'Clock Senator Higgins moved that the
rules preventing the immediate consideration OF the
I'll b. suspended The rollcan on the motion TO
suspend the rules resulted as follows: 10 susP7i'u'
2. no; to suspend T.
Senator Higgins moved that the Committee OF 'he
Whole be discharged from the consideration OF the
bill and that the bill be advanced 10 the order o.
third reading The vote resulted: To discharge -
not 10 discharge, Il
CANTOR's PROPOSED CHANGES.
TIE bin being or third reading, Senator Cantor
moved 10 amend by providing that the invesu-
eating committee named by the Governor shoud Dc
confirmed by the Senate
He also asked 20 amend by providing that the
Governor should appoint Two Commissioners OF op-
poste political faith himself. The third amend
ment offered by Senator Cantor asked for the IN
vesticaton Of number Of details OF expenditure
:or canal improvements under the 10000 appro-
pr.ajlon. TIE next amendment was mat the ooI1-
m.'t.e inquire whether the amount OF the sppro.
prlauon vas sufficient FOR the Improvement ana I
the Cana Board was advised before the letting Oh
the contracts hat IL not.
Another amendment provided that 'h7 n'"o'''
members Of the Commission should have the rlsht
70 employ counsel and another amendment ma
compulsory that the Commission should ho'd puo-
hf sessions. The last amendment contained az IN
Htn.iy clause IN order that witnesses cooio DC
compelled 10 testify without having recourse 10
'Aer constitutional night 10 decline 10 s"e 'e'"
mony that might terminate them
senator ka.nes suggested that the mess -
justice might al times be interfered Win " 0P'"
Sessions
senator caator Insisted that the testimony shoui-
Dc taken hearings absolutely public As 10 'ie
immunity clause. ne said without II the OH "ou'o
De absolutely worthless.
senator Z T. Brown said some OF 'he an
Henis were good, but he objected 10 "00ep'l
uatcr amendments which the Democrats HoP1
would have the effect OF sending the Dill pa0N -
Assembly where II might be lost the su0Oe
the investigation Will depend upon the U' i -
shQ intention OF the men named by the Wv
n said. and II IS absurd 10 charge that inc -
ernor will appoint 10 that important Cohlii'SS.o"
nen VINO viii no, Investigate" Were II rot Tor
tie danger the bill would meet in going back 70 ''le
Assembly. he would not object 20 the ai'e "
giving the Senate the power Of conhrrna 'lo"' ~ ".
The immunity clause. II would be r1olcu'ous -
nj person who might he guilty OF frau' - - =
fore the Commission and testify. and thus So
immunity from punishnent In conclusion senator
Brown said no should ask the Executive uat '"''
sentiment against any canal appropr'a'iois i0l
purpose DO rers-@>-ted by one or moro Oh INC wa
n!sslOncrs
AMENDMENT WOULD BE FATAL
Senator Ra,ne. said that. while he was IN FAVOR
o. confirmation by the Senate as pI"o'p'e' -,
would In this instance be inconsistent, because -
A~n bcen deemed IHposSiD'S - 49, ,.o-.a5
Assembly II the power OF connrinAt'o" VIZ"
H. the Senate. <.o
Senator Nussbaurn said he kne" me ""'si
would appoint good Commission. ana ch"isso u'e
Democrats with attempting 10 thro" DUST d" '"e
peoples eyes .,,,,,,, a,
Senator Lexow said that there was an "'..- 1
CLAUSE IN the bill providing for the ponce ih'es1sa
zion Of which no was chairman, but nom a. ~ ~
bin providing for the trust ihFes"s@'0'