New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-01-05
Candidate for Speaker Says
Public Suffers from
Arbitrary Power.
CROWDED LEGISLATION
ANOTHER DEFECT
Assemblyman Also Urges That
Something Be Done to Aid
States Finances.

day when his views on the next Legis-
lature were asked:
THE Democratic party having, with a
belated appreciation Of its responsibility.
passed the primary and election laws and
tine worllmen's compensation act It might
seem that the most important matters of
legislation have been disposed Of There
remain. however. number Of things we'll
worthy the careful attention Of the Leg
islature These are revision Of the As
sembly rules. overhauling of the states
financial system. legislation for home rule
FOR cities and for the conservation and
development of the natural resources Of
the state.
Proper revision OF the Assembly rules
requires some consideration of the defects
or faults in legislative procedure under
the present rules. These are:
'First-Arbitrary power in the hands OF
a few often exercised TO the detriment Of
the public This is the direct result of
the Speakers power to appoint commit
tees and OF the almost unlimited control
over legislation now given to the Rules
Committee, coupled with the fact that
secrecy OF action in committee gives the
public no opportunity to fix the response
bility for stihed and injurious legislation.
"Second-Confusion and uncertainty.
Under the present unbusinesslike meth
DDS of holding hearings and committee
meetings interested persons are often CIV
20 IN no no II
upon bills affecting them. and even leg
slators sometimes know nothing Of
measure until it comes before the House
for action.
"Third-Crowding legislation at the end
Of the session. In the ordinary sessions
practically nothing is done for the first
month or six weeks. sometimes even
longer, but during the last week or two
bills are passed at the rate Of from twen-
t. To fifty a day, including many local
measures which may be undesirable, but
which slip through in the rush of the clos
ing hours.
Remedies for these faults, il seems to
me- are amendments to the rules so as 10
have the House appoint its own commit
tees, as does the House OF Representa-
tives also amendments either abolishing
the Rules Committee entirely or stripping
II of its arbitrary power to control legls-
lation providing for the keeping OF
public record OF committee votes on all
subjects, having a calendar for hearings
before committees, with regular commit
tee meetings and adequate notice to inter
ested persons prohibiting the introduce
ton Of local bills during the latter part
OF the session, so that the members may
ut that time consider only matters or
public importance, and requiring the de-
livery Of calendars to all members at least
,wenty-fo,Ir hours before bill is upon the
calendar.
ct needs no extended discussion 10
show that the states finances are in
deplorable condition. The last Demo-
cratic administrations, which have
preached economy and retrenchment,
have increased the appropriations for gen
eral purposes from 100000 a year To
$4,000 600 year-this by the creation OF
new Offices, increase in allowances for
travelling expenses, raising or salaries
and by wasteful methods generally. The
adoption Of budget system, with intelli-
gent and businesslike consideration OF the
states needs and a real desire for
economy. will help us here One item of
waste is found in the Legislature itself
There should be an investigation OF legls-
latiye expenditures, followed by the
passage Of laws TO provide for more care
ful use Of the states moneys In this de-
partment.
"All parties seem TO be outspoken in
favor OF municipal home rule and the con-
servaticn OF the states resources. Ad-
vanced public sentiment has been de-
handing for years uniform charter sys-
tenn for municipalities, providing several
model forms OF charter, with the prlvl-
lege To municipalities OF adopting any
form by a referendum, without lnterier-
ence by the Legislature, In strictly local
matters ] am hopeful for the passage
this year OF legislation along these lines,
a. we'll as a start, at least, toward legal
authority for the development OF the
great waterpower OF the state in SUCH
way as TO provide for the maximum OF
efficiency and benefit 10 the state with the
minimum Of encroachment upon legiti-
mate private enterprise.
The organization OF the Assembly
seems 10 be engaging the attention of the
public most at the present time. II seems
10 me that more important than any
question Of personality in this is the re-
ouirement that the Assembly organize
and conduct itself not with any narrow
ness OF spirit but with an endeavor 70
secure the cooperation OF all who are
seeking the same end. that is. legislation
demanded by enlightened public opinion
OF the day.
81 believe that our party will do this,
and that the Assembly OF 1914 will be in
most refreshing contrast 10 some OF its
immediate predecessors in the business
like and efficient manner in which IL Will
transact it's business and the broad
minded, up-to-date way in which II VIII
seek TO meet and solve some OF the po-
litical and economic problems that will be
presented 70 It,"