New-York tribune., 1912-03-07
[AWMAK|NG IN CHAOS
At STATE CAPITAL
Rush of Bills 0verWheIms Legis-
lature and Starts Log-RoII-
ing in Earnest.
TAMMANYS GRAB-BAG PLAN
Senate in Confusion, but Wag-
ner, Leader, Holds Up Ap-
preparations for
Deals.
fBy Telegraph TO The Tribune.


Albany, March 6.-with final adjournment
OF this brief legislative session only three
weeks off, the Legislature to-day presented
a vertable debauch of introducing bills. Ir
the two houses there were offered l25 bills
the largest number ever introduced in one
day in the memory OF the oldest clerks
The measures were Of every kind and char
acter, but not half dozen of importance
such as would entItle them to anything ex-
cept the most cursory glance at the end OF
q session.
This condition fairly indicates the aim
less, shlftless chaotic condition prevailing
here now. Not In n decade, at least, has
there been anything approaching it. The
two houses and all their committees &c
through the motions OF lawmaking daily
but the result achieved so far could have
been put into less than a month Of genuine
work
The committee calendars are clogged with
foolish local bills, which members are
breaking their necks trying to force tC
passage Their efforts would result in a
Jail delivery. which would neoessitate d
couple OF months OF hard labor by the Leg
isature il each bill received due oonsidera-
ton.
The Senate has already accumulated a
daily calendar thirty pages long. the bulk
Of which is given over to list of bills in
general orders the stage of legislative
progress following the reporting OF Sen
ate bill from committee. At this stage of
the session for a bill to get into general
orders is equivalent TO being sent into the
morgue.
Grab-Bag Plan in Vogue.
In consequence Senator Wagner, the
Tammany leader, has developed a grab
bag scheme of lawmaking. When the SEN
ate has done little work he permits MEM
bers to ask for immediate action on their
pet measures, by unanimous consent. Some
get II, some do not. The result IL general
confusion. helter-skelter advancement and
passage of bills and log-rolling between
members who threaten to hold up much
desired legislation OF others unless their
pet bills go through unassailed. It is
lawmaking by luck or favor. not by order
ly consideration.
The incidents which transpire under this
system In the Senate are enough to make
John Raines. who ruled that body with Il
rod or iron. turn over in his grave. As
lawmaking il would be farcical IL il were
not dlsgraceful
The Assembly situation is somewhat bet
ter. for there the Rules Committee will
take over everything I'm about a week, and
so prevent any such confusion as exists in
the Senate. Its great power over legisla-
tion. though, will put it into a position TO
jockey with the Senate over local bills OF
favored members or political propositions.
Holding the Appropriation Bills.
such mdnmuvring IS indicated by the
fact that the Tammany leaders in the Sen
ate are accumulatlng all appropriation bills
Of importance for future action. II looks
like II case Of scramble at the end OF the
session. with devil take tho hindmost" fot
the motto OF each member.
Senator Wagner introduced a bill provld-
ing that the magistrates OF the inferior
criminal courts OF New York city. before
whom Information IS laid. may issue sub
po.nas for witnesses within the state for
either the people or the defendant. An
other bill by the same member would per-
nit criminal court ma gistrate to commit
to the City Prison for not more than ten
days a person for default OF payment Of q
fine imposed for failure 10 appear in re-
sponse 10 a summons.
city magistrates in New York will be per-
mitted 10 convene court and transact Of
fetal business on Sunday If a bill intro
duced by Assemblyman Greenberg becomes
law.
hill by Assemblyman Cuvilller would
permit officers and enlisted men Of the ma
tional guard or naval militia to retire on a
pension after twenty-five years OF service.
officers TO receive so a month and enlisted
men $50.