The times., 1899-04-27
TWO MAzET REPORTS.
More Time md Power Wanted b,
the Majority.


Albany. April 2s.-The Mazet Investigate
ing committee this morning handed down
two preliminary reports. one from the ma
jority. and the other from the minority
The former asks for more power In the
scope OF investigation. and urges that the
committee be empowered to sit ad libitum
during the legislative vacation; the latter
urges the futility of further investigation.
anu asks the Assembly to dissolve the en-
quiry committee
After reciting the resolution under which
| report says:
Besides producing testimony publicly.
| the committee, its counsel, and assistants
| have been actively and continuously en-
gagged in receiving, arranging and prepar-
ing Tor public presentation a very large
number or complaints of specific acts OF
| maiadministrattcn In many of the depart
ments OF the city government, and in the
examination OF records and documents in
volved therein. Your committee at this
time prefers not to attempt to draw specific
conclusions from the testimony already
taken, and Is not able at this time TO rec
ommend specific remedial legislation in
| regard to the facts as yet incompletely
uisciosed TO 1t, but with what has been
| made public and with what still remains
In the hands OF the counsel your COM
mittee Is convinced OF the necessity for
| the present investigation, and OF the wis
| dom OF continuing IL so as to completely
disclose the grave evils which exist in
connection with the local administration
or affairs of New York city. and which will
! require remedial measures by the Legis-
\ lature.
The press and the people generally
are taking deep interest in the work OF
the committee. which is receiving the
commendation and assistance Of infiuen-
tial journals and OF many good citizens
/ and associations of citizens.
| Accordingly. 1t presents the followin.
resolution and recommends its adoption:
Whereas by resolution adopted by the
Assembly on the 29th day OF March, 1899. Il
committee was duly appointed by tine As
sembiy to investigate, all and singular. re-
ports and charges tina. In the said city OF
/ New York funds are being raised by levy
| upon members OF the police force. saloon
and resort keepers. and by other eontriba-
I tions for use in corruptly influencing lsgis-
lation: that there is lax enforcement OF
the laws in said city and in the counties
| included in said city; that corrupt and ty-
rannical methods have been resorted to in
| the enforcement of the same, and that the
public funds of said city are being wasted
! in extravagant increases Of official salaries
and in other ways. and to investigate all
matters and things in any way pertaining
to said reports and charges, with full pow
4
every direction in its Judgment proper and
necessary to enable it TO obtain and report
! the facts in reference to said charges
And whereas the time within which
the said committee was to make its report
to the Legislature, to the end that propss.
remedial legislation should be enacted, was
not limited by the said resolution;
And whereas. 1t appears to be imprac-
ticabie for the said committee TO complete
its investigation and make its report dur
ing the present session of the Legislature.
And whereas. 1t appears that the scope
OF said committees work should be en-
larged, it is
Resolved. That said committee be and
is hereby directed to continue the inves-
tigation under the said resolution. with all
the powers of the present session OF the
Legislature 1t is further
! Resolved, That the said committee be
and IS hereby authorized and empowered to
extend its examination and investigation
into the occupation. character. conduct and
control OF any and every department and
public officer of the city OF New York, and
of the counties therein included. and the
interests affecting and controlling the Of
ficers therein, with full power TO prosecute
| its enquiry in any and every direction in
its Judgment necessary and proper to en-
able it TO ascertain and report the facts.
1t is further
neso.'eu, lnal the Sald committee De
| and 1t hereby is directed TO report to the
Legislature with such measures as. in its
judgment. may be necessary. on the facts
and conditions by it discovered and ascer-
tanned. not later than February 1, 1900. 20
the end that proper remedial legislation
may be enacted :"
The minority report disents from the
assertions and conclusions of the majority
report. and says that although the commit
. tee had at the bpau denounced hy-
both the press and pulpit as a partisan
and spiteful creation. it was promised that
in the impartiality of its work it would
relieve itself in some degree from the very
general adverse comment as to its motive
and real purpose.