New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1909-05-07
6. A. R. VETERANS ANGRY
HERRING ON TWO BILLS.
Legislature Trick Suspected in Pass
ing Tao Bond Issue Measures.
rBy Telegraph to The Tribune. ]

TBy Telegraph The Tribune.I
Albany. May celebrations that the bill pro-
vidng for state pension for veterans of the Civil
War was unconstitutional raised storm of in
dignant protests from a large delegation of Grand
Army Of the Republic men who attended hear
ing before Governor Hughes to-day. Suspicious of
Legislative trickery' in passing two referendum
bills expressed. accompanied by threats OF
repTsal from the veterans.
we have been the subject of a trick have
been humbugged by some one because this canal
bill was reported first" declared Lewis z. Crit
fifth. OF Troy. Well in the county where I live
the old soldier is respected, and he has lot to
say"
The subcommittee of the Grand Army of the
Republic placed every confidence in Senator Aids,
chairman of the Finance Committee. and in AS
somblyman Merritt broke in Colonel William H
BOYD Of New York. We we're assured solemnly
that the bill would be reported and passed. They
said TO US that il would have to be drawn very
carefully, and refused to report it without the
referendum clause. We took the bill TO the leGls-
latve drafting department. and it was looked over
and passed as correct Now, if the legislative pol
itics in concert with this canal party. is being
used to break the force Of this bill. all apologies
will pass for nothing. If the Grand Army OF the
Republic has been deceived want to know It,
and if the bill is improperly drawn we want 1t
known that there are men here in the Capitol I'M
worthy of their jobs"
VETERANS NOT IN AMIABLE MOOD.
Governor Hughes's hearing the two referen-
dunn bills was held to give advocates and >oppo-
nents Of each a chance 10 speak on the merits OF
each bill. Supporters Of the veterans pension Dill
necessarily were opposed to the canal improvement
bill and vice versa. because of the provision III
the constitution that only one referendum pro-
posing a state tax for bond issue may be sub
mitted the people at an election. some Of the
legislative leaders intensely opposed TO the
veterans pension scheme. The fact that they
moth Of
passed this bill after passing The canal referendum
and put the choice up TO the Governor made 1t look
particularly like shifting of responsibility The
veterans were not feeling very pleasant when they
discovered the way affairs had been manipulated
and that they stood fair chance of having the
bill vetoed because Of Legislative trckcry
Henry W Harden. representing theS Citizens
Triou Of New York, opposed the pension bill. on
the ground that It introduced new principle Of
state pensions It taking money ny taxation
from one set Of citizens give to another set,
which manifestlv was unconstitutional. he said.
There is no animus toward veterans in oppo-
stion TO this BILL said he. 1t does not purport
To he bill 10 relieve the needy. II is to provide
a pension for every who enlisted from New
York and served ninety days These soldiers were
called by the federal government served it. we're
paid by 81 and pensioned by H. There
service in New York State. I am told that
from 25.Cco to 5000 men would be eligible for pen
sons under the OF this bill. and manifesy. II
this becomes a law. # would h only a beginning
Wives. widows and children void want pensions
NO HURRY FOR CANAL BILL"
Colonel William II. Daniels. department COM
mander Of the Grand Army or the Republic. Colo
ner Boyd and Judge Griffith made mpassioned
speeches favorinE the bill Colonel Daniels de-
clared there hurry for the canal bill hut
the veterans were dying AT the rate OF four thou
sand year He said they would b. willing
have the proposition 90 20 vote Of the people.
Colonel Boyd declared that the veterans were not
begging for pension. but that f. was due 10 many
o them. who had gone to serve the federal gov
eminent at the orders Of the Governor OF New
York State He cited the case Of the list New
York, ~ which he Was member which. eleven
hundred men strong. went 20 Washington tmme-
diately after Sumter fred
These men never before asked the state 20 do
anything for them" said 10 They did not stay
home To build fortunes. they sacrificed all Now
they ask for - month. when they md the gov
ernment's 81 a month isn't enough keep body
and soul together"
George Clinton. Of Buffalo. argued for the Cay
, uga Seneca Canal and against the pension bill He
said that that measure was defective in that II
provided for a tax To pay interest and sinking
fund the bonds. but no tax rate specified.
Also unconstitutional. a it provided for dis
oursements Of state funds for private purposes.
The bill is so plainly unconstitutional" said he.
that II would only delay the canal and not help
the veterans in the least ! also submit the point
that the Legislature having passed the canal bin,
had exhausted its power and may have had
power subsequently to pass the pension bill
Ex-Mayor Newman Of Ithaca. Henry Hebbard.
chairman Of the New York Canal Association.
Mayor Rose Of Geneva and large delegation from
Wayne County. headed by Assembyman Hamn
and State Committeeman Belts, argued for the
canal bill II would provide a means Of water
communication with the Pennsylvania coal fields.
they said. tend TO develop largely the agricultural
section surrounding the Twin Lakes, and make
Ithaca and Watkins large coal shipping ports. At
the end Of their arguments Judge Griffith said:
1t is the old regiment in a new uniform.
Governor History sometimes repeats itself and
we find the same men standing for something on
the ground OF public good and virtue which means
only money in their pockets