New-York tribune., 1910-03-22
NEW INQUIRY PLAN
BENNETT Has BILL.
HGHts Receipt of State Money
6g Legislators Inuesiigated.
IBy TeIeEraph 70 The Tr,bure I

BY Telegraph 20 The Tribune
Albany. March 2l.-AnOther phase of the
demand for a general legislative investi-
cation was brought forward tonight by
Assemblymsn William 81 Bennett OF New
York Pc introduced a bin providing for
the appointment OF a commission Of two
Senators. three AssembIymen and FIVE citi-
zens named by the Governor. 70 investigate
the manner and extent 20 which legislators.
legislative employees or state officers OF en-
ployes have received state money in addi-
tion % their salaries within the last ten
years
This measure is aimed especially a. the
practice OF retaining legislators 20 appear
before state departments. as IL was brought
out Senator lothian P. Aids did for The
Argus" claim. and the acceptance by legis-
lators OF retainers for drafting bills or
promoting or opposing them Under II the
commission must report before February J..
1871 accompanying IT'S report with recon-
meudatiOns for revisious of the rules and
procedure OF the legislature and other
necessary legislation
Assemblymau Robert = Cunkliu. % New
York tonight introduced an amendment
20 tho Penal Code designed 70 prevent legis-
lators from accepting any special counsel
fees from TIE state or any state depart
meut Also they must not represent any
person or corporation interested IN litiga-
tior before any state department
In explaining his bill tonight. Assembly
man Bennett said that the functions of a
legislative investigating committee were 10
inquire into charges against a member or
to determine whether any need existed for
legislation 20 remedy certain evils
There are no charges pending against
a1v member OF either house except one,
said be with regard 10 the second func-
tiou. Speaker Wadsworth has announced
that our laws are complete and perfect on
the subject Of prohibiting improper conduct
on the part Of legislators and that there
fore no investigation is necessary 7 think
ne is mistaken For example federal stat
utes make it d crime for any member OF
Congress to practis- a. All attorney before
any department o. the national govern
ment. We should have a similar state stat
Ute
"In Iuy opinion. TO permit a member or
the Legislature 20 appear as attorney az
law or in fact for the state or for any of its
officers. commissions or in
stitutious which az times may apply FOR
the passage Of legislation. or which may
themselves be the subject OF legislative in
vestigations. Is 70 make II much easier for
such member TO get into a position where
his vote is Influenced by his connection
or where he may even regard his vote ss
the proper subject OF retainer II these
are removed BY legal prohibit
tion it win be much more certain THAI
members vote is cast according 70 the
merits OF a proposition and Is not infu-
euced by personal considerations
Besides all this, il must be apparent oy
this time that some change should be made
in the rules and procedure. 50 the Com
mittee on Rules cannot become a committee
f0- punishment and reward The demand
fo- an investigation is statewide. and ii Is
these remedial changes the people desire"
Developments IN the Insurance investiga-
tion now being conducted by Superintend-
ent Hotchkiss are being followed with the
greatest interest by politicians and legis-
lators here There is a general feeling
among organization Republicans that the
disclosures Will have powerful effect on
the decision Of the Aids case and ON the
handling OF any resolution for a general in
vestigation of legislative corruption.
Those legislators - hO favor a genera! in
qui-y seem much pleased over the outlook
They say that tine amuunitiOn which Mr.
Hotchkiss has in store viii create such
havoc in the ranks Of the political Organi-
zatiou that when the Aids case is disposed
OF there viii be- little effective opposition
lef. To the general investigation