New-York tribune., 1920-04-26
Smith Brands
Legislature
As Gag Ruled
Continued from paos ono,

were able to nip the insurgency in the
bud.
Majority Leader Adler smiled and
said no when he was asked tonight if
he and Senator Walters intended to
issue the customary statement. Senator
Walters said he might issue one later
in the week.
Comment by Governor
Governor Smiths comment on the
1920 Legislature follows:
THE Legislature of 1920, just ad-
Journed, adds no luster to our history.
The utter disregard by the members
OF the majority for what meant prog
ress and welfare constitute formi-
dable challenge to democratic repre-
sentative government. Not only did
they defeat measures that meant
gain for humanity, but they attempted
to move back the hands on the clock
of progress. They left the state, at
least for this year, without hope of
any remedy to check the ever incrcas-
ing cost of government, burden which
Is pressing upon the shoulders of every
member of the commonwealth. Tenn
porary expedients, calculated to allay
but not cure, were in high favor.
Measures intended to bring about per-
were brushed aside. The disciples of
bourbonism and reaction effectively
controlled Legislative action. The
problems of the day remain unsolved
anc few measures of statewide impor-
tance were considered. Political ex-
pediency overshadowed public neces-
sity.
THE party caucus was used to stife
measures that have no political signif-
cance. The welfare bills were not de-
feated; they were smothered. In fair
ness to the Senate, it must be said
that it arose to the occasion. Prob
ably at no time in our history was
there greater reason for a free and
open discussion Of problems of govern
rlcnt than at this very time. The en-
tire program of reconstruction not
only met defeat, but nothing was sug-
gested in its place. Measures of sane
and enlightened progress were met by
a policy of repression. What there
was of leadership was political and
calculated only to serve the ends of
selfishness. The great forum for pub
lie discussion was darkened, and the
decisions that meant so much to the
people Of this state were made in
decisions came from the few, and the
many charged with responsibility
either acquesced or were helpless.
Rule of Party Lash
THE progressive measures in the in
terest of humanity were decided by
the party lash and the caucus gag
rather than by open discussion in the
forum provided by the constitution.
That the human appeal contained in
measures for the relief of women and
children should be stihed surpasses un-
derstanding. A we'll thought out, con-
structlve program was sacrificed on the
altar Of politics.
Il congratulate the members Of the
minority for their strong and vigorous
fight against the forces of blind self
interest and | nasten to assure them
that the day of victory is only post
poned. They have behind them every
right feeling and right thinking citi-
zen"
The Citizens Union criticism of the
Legislature, in part, follows
The session of the Legislature lust
'brainstorm' session. Whether it was
due to total lack of stimulants, to too
free use of scrptions, or to plain
senile or infantile dementia, both
houses have been Enthusiastically suf-
ferlng from severe case of the nerves
irrespective of party, large majority
of the members fell into the habit of
seeing red at the least provocation.
This ocular reaction was almost always
followed by violent waving of the
Stars and Stripes. Never in any leg
islative body has the old flag been
made to cover such multitude of sins.
both of omission and commission, for
this session has been as notorious for
the things it left undone as for the
things it really did. Far from demon
strating anything approaching states
manship, even leadership was almost
wholly lacking.
Influences in Control
$50 far as can be discerned. three
we'll defined influences appeared to
glide or control the legislative des-
TIMES. These were, first, an unre-
mitting opposition to anything Gov
ernor Smith wanted, whatever it was;
second, an abnormal sensitiveness, ap-
preaching paranoia, where anything
remotely resembling socialism was
concerned, and a thoroughgoing CON
viction that the State Of New York
was tottering on the verge Of Red
revolution; and, third, conviction that
any legislation that differentiated be-