New-York tribune., 1909-05-01
LEGISLATORS ADJOURN
REVIEW OF THE SESSION.
Members Fear Governor Hughes
VII Call Them Back.

/
It was Legislature singularly weak In important
! respects and surprisingly bold In others.
In view of some of its omissions, the Legislature
to-day went home wondering If about the time Its
I members got there there would be a summons to
return speedily TO the Capitol corridors. Even those
Senators who by their choking of the Public Ser
vice law amendments to death made possible the
calling of extraordinary session by Governor
Hughes were apprehensive. There IS a widespread
feeling that practically the only thing the Governor
can in view of the vital Importance of that bill
and the fact that il perished without a vote on it
in the Senate is TO ask the Legislature to try 1t
over again.
Governor Hughes after adjournment, was asked
fatty if he intended recall the Legislature He
declined to say word
Of constructive legislation there little Set
ting aside ali the personalities which soaked
through affairs here in fair estimate OF the Legs
lature's accomplishments must be set down the
fact that it refused to act favorabiy on matters
laid before it which represented advancement and
/ progression in broad strides while by inacton and
direct adverse action it put itself on backward
path regarding some questions on which the Re-
publican party ard previous Republican Legs
latures had outlined distinct policy -Four months
labor produced no results Of striking Importance
and outlined no new state policy of interest.
In any review OF the session the personal element
must he considered for to that must be attributed
/ largely the years product. The dominant note OF
the session was hostility almost surprising tow
ard Governor Hughes, marked among Republl-
cans among Democrats. This Legislature, with
out overtaxing itself by inquiry into the merits Of
the propositions. killed most of the important
( recommendations made by Governor Hughes.
1t enacted into law many others of his recon-
mendations. but these Of such a nature that
they naturally fell into class two"
As a whole. while it the first Legislature
since Governor Hughes has been Governor that
has been conducted by the responsible party lead
/ ers wholly with view to their desires, the
results have been Disappointing to their followers
The mercifuI Lord grant that the sins OF this
Republican Legislature be not visited on the Re
publican party declared influential Republi-
can legislator ferventIy. II they are. 1ammany
Hall will carry New York City next fall, we shall
lose in several upstate Assembly districts and the
following year lose the state. \ legislature ! will
admit, is primarily for political use. But when
the responsible Republican majority reviles and
derides an honored Republican executive. kills A
primary proposition which the people to 3 con
siderable extent hailed solution Of existing
difficulties refuses TO give new charter - long
suffering New York City, crippies its own COM
missions ny failure to enact laws they need to
carry their duties. and cuts tine appropriations
of one body seriously and the other hand shows
great sympathy with big corporations passing
eagerly very questionable bills in their favor. it
makes splendid Democratic campaign material"
THE RESULTS OF THE SESSION.
So briefly the results Of the session were
Defeat Of the direct primary nominations bill; de-
ballot. defeat Of the recommendation for extension
Of the corrupt practices laws -. -,
Defeat by the Senate " plan to famiarze voters
with proposed constitutional amendments
Defeat of the recommendation 10 place telephone
and telegraph companies under the control Of the
Public Service commissions. and defeat Of amend
ments the Public Service commissions law
strengthening that measure as the commissions de-
Failure to consider the New York city charter
bills To prevent pollution Of streams by sewage and
Defeat Of bin to abolish the defence Of contribu-
tory negligence in actions brought by children IN
der sixteen years against employers because Of in
juries received during employment
control Of state institutions Defeat of 2 bi for
salary classification commission.
Failure to adopt legislation to permit removal,
without consent Of the Senate. of officials appointed
Defeat Of home rule scheme embodied in a bin
for commission 10 investigate third class city
charters.
All the foregoing matters were suggested for con-
sderation in the Governors annual message. Part
of his recommendations were adopted. though.
follows
ing income u proSucng bonds from the debt limit Of
New York city. and water bonds only from the
ments to the rapid transit law designed to extend
more favorable terms to interest private capital in
Amendments Of the insurance laws. to permit con
trol ~ liquidation Of nsovent companies by the
insurance superintendent, and extension Of the
Amendment Of the Franchise tax law. to faci-
tate collection of the franchise taxes instead of
Passage Of bills creating penalty for violation
of semi-monthly pay law Passage OF bills pro
tectng children against employment at dangerous
Passage OF bills permitting county supervisors to
establish tuberculosis hospitals. and permitting
tablishment of such hospitals anywhere without
the consent Of town supervisors
Passage Of a motor vehicle law. though
with many weak spots, such removal Of speed
limit and all local control OF automobile traffic
Passage OF leglslali9n for patrol Of forest pre-
Adjustment Of the quarantine commissioners in
New York city, their duties being turned over to
the Health Officer.
ers liability and condition Of the unemployed
fin6 % reroIi, con- rnerr(e4 IN a special message
Passage of a bill for 100000 bond issue for in
land waterways connecting Cayuga and Seneca
Creation Of a forest preserve in the Highlands of
Revision of laws relating. to the State Board of
Pharmaey and pTatG4Ge t3o yds9 OF ph9rmacy' Dill OF
Passage of a somewhat ambiguous bill intended
Passage of bills limiting arrest and Imprisonment
in civil actions
NEW YORK CITY LEGISLATION.
Legislation directly affecting New York City was
handled this year usual, without much regard
for the feelings of the metropolis The proposed
charter went into the discard. Four of the six
Cassidy committee" bills suggested practical
charter reform were enacted. Two very important
ones creating central purchasing bureau and
real estate bureau, killed. The Agnew-Ward
election reform bills killed in the Senate by
the bipartisan combination.
Bills intended TO remedy evils in New York City
condemnation proceedings killed: a bill per-
mitting increased compensation for commissioners
was passed. The Sunday opening bin of the Com
rnittee Of Fourteen died in committee. The Concy
Island 5-cent fare bill, after being passed in the
Senate, died I'm the Assembly Committee Rules
along with the bill prohibiting the publication Of
odds on tests Of skill endurance designed a
blow, to poolroon and handbook traffic The women
school teachers equal pay BILL estimated as likely
on &c 0ln0