New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-04-16
THE LFGTSLATURE.

THE LEGISLATURE.
In the last days Of legislative session the
people always dwell in the midst Of alaruIns.
After adjournment It IS generally found that
most OF the dangerous bills have, with the aid OF
public opinion aroused against them. been buried.
and a reasonable amount OF good work done.
The performance Of the legislature which adj
iourned yesterday will, we think, on examina-
ton be found TO measure up fully TO the aver
aCe standard It has threatened 10 DO many
bad things Every legislature does, and Is fair
IL to be blamed, not for the bad bills proposed.
but for the bad bills passed. There are some
mercenary men in each party at every session,
and some men of honesty who champion meas
ures in the interests OF one region which are
contrary TO those Of another. In this latter
class are those who pushed the bill to shut this
city away from the watersheds OF Duchess
County. That bill IS often spoken OF as
grab" While we think It unwise and con-
trary 10 the largest interest at stake, we do
not think It fair TO impeach the motives OF
those who take different view. or denounce as
corrupt legislators who listened TO their plea
against the disturbance Of their homes and
their industries.
Aside from this measure. only two bills
have passed which have been popularly con-
sdered vicious-the Niagara Power bill aud the
Remsen East River Gas bill. The latter was
passed by a combination of Democrats and
Republicans, and IS properly chargeable TO In
dividuals rather than 10 either party. The
Mayor can XIII Il II he so desires; and neither
bill can become law without the Governors
consent So far, no frremediabie wrong has
been done. The Elm-st grab and its CON-
panion railroad bills, the Water Storage Voting
Machine and other important bills of had or
doubtful character ali failed The attacks on
the Tenement House law were all repulsed
n han cla4rr &c IN ha
credited with a considerable body OF positive
good work The most important general act is
that for educational unifcation. Next come
the measures intended to relieve the congestion
Of the courts. We have not believed the
Supreme Court Commissioners bill wise and
safe in several particulars, but It was recon-
mended 10 the legislature the result Of long
study by experts and, together with some
other Of the Laws Delays Commission bills.
was passed in an honest endeavor 20 do what
lawyers and judges considered right. Several
important constitutional amendments looking
10 the same end have also been voted. The
legislation asked by the local authorities FOR
the extension Of rapid transit has been given.
Some complaint is made that the Elsberg
Rapid Transit bill failed Perhaps It should
have passed, but there was a difference OF
opinion among honest men as 10 its wisdom,
and the Rapid Transit Commission opposed It,
be justified. In spite of strenuous efforts on
the part OF the gamblers District Attorney
Jerome's bill TO make possible their conviction
was put through. A valuable reform was like
wise secured In the bill to regulate employment
agencies in cities OF the first and second class
and TO stop the immoral traffic carried on under
cover Of intelligence Offices. Relief has been
given TO those who lave been unjustly assessed
for personal taxes by the drRgnet hit or miss
methods which have for years prevailed In this
city.
1t Is to be regretted that no further tax re-
form was achieved, but in that respect the
legislature Just adjourned merely followed long
established precedent Fallacious ideas on the
subject Of taxation are so widely and honestly
held that Improvement must be a matter Of
slow education and repeated trials. The law
makers who gained credit here for a reform
might in their own districts be regarded as
reprobates. Tammany viii doubtless make
much noise over the neglect TO give this city
more home rule" 1t is perfectly well known,
however that Tammany itself did not want
any excise home rule" And as for the 'home
rule" that It did secure for the reinstatement
Of dismissed policemen and fremen, who can
not be dismissed IN the first place without a
trial and who have an appeal TO the courts,
we regard that as mistaken piece Of good
nature. The taxpayers have been protected.
and once more no direct tax will be levied be-
yond that made mandatory by the constitution.
Altogether, the interests OF the people have
been well served. and after the Governor has
disposed Of the thirty day bills and the volume
Of the session laws is made up It will prob
ably be generally agreed that the session of
1904 resulted in as much good and as little bad
legislation as may be found in the statutes of
any other year. Certainly the performance OF
the Democratic minority does not give promise
that II transformed into a majority they would
do better, or as well