Year: 1873

apply the teachings of the past, and they can
not go Far astray.


1t would be but simple justice to repeal the
outrageous Congress Apportionment law passed
by the last Legislature. We observe that
the Administration organ at Albany calls
for a repeal of that law, for the
sake, however, of separating the Demo-
cratic county of SchOharie from the Al
bany district, and adding it to the Demo-
cratic district of Greene and Ulster, or to some
Republican district with safe majority. We
ask for a new law because it is dishonorable
and contrary to the spirit Of republican insti-
tutions to give a population of 100000 OF one
party the same representation i'll Congress
which is accorded to population of 100000 OF
the opposite party. To reopen the question
for the sake of perpetrating a fresh robbery OF
voters of their representation, would be base
ness of which we cannot think the new Legis-
ture capable. We mention the proposition
simply as an illustration of that partisan
spirit which we deprecate.


1t is very likely that strong effort will be
made this Winter to modify the Usmy laws,
now almost peculiar to this State. so far as
the City of New-York is concerned, a
main effect of these laws seems to be
to keep out of the market sums OF
money which would be attracted here were 1t
not for the scruples of the owners about
violating the law. For months it has been
impossible for our best merchants to have
their bills discounted without paying more
than seven per cent. Perhaps some law might
be carried applying exclusively to cities'
Perhaps, too, Mr.. Cornell may select Finance
Committee which would report such bill to
the House for discussion, for there are always
some members who take an interest in this
question, and whose experience has been
valuable.


In the matter Of our Canals and State
Prisons. we do not expect much relief from
the Legislature. The State every year loses
several hundred thousand dollars by the mex
perence, lack of vigilance, and incapacity of
those who have the supervision OF the canals
and prisons Committee of Senator'S was ap-
pointed by the last Legislature to investigate
and report on the canals. This Committee
may make some interesting disclosures, but
nothing will be done. The canal Offices
are now held by Republicans, and we
shall hencefOrth hear less talk of ex-
travagance. If the State hereafter taxes
itself only one million year for canal
deficiencies instead of two, we may be sure
that the party organs will not hesitate to claim
credit for the retrenchment.


The problem of Rapid Transit for New York
City ought to take up less of the time of this
Legislature than of its predecessors. The last
Legislature granted three valuable charters,
and we believe none of these projects have
been abandoned. We doubt the wisdom of
embarking the municipality in the business
of railroad building. With the funded debt
of the city and county still rapidly increasing
we cannot afford the luxury. The State
finances ought to be carefully studied outside
of the chambers of the Ways and Means
Committee, and the sinking funds kept free
of incumbrance. They were not devised as
reservoirs from which to draw money to pay
the current expenses of the State, and
as long as The Constitution remains
what it is, they cannot lawfully
be appropriated, as they have been
for some years back, to settle bills for which
the Legislature had not courage to tax the
people. The new Capitol expensive though
it is, will doubtless get liberal appropria-
ton. The old State House narrowly escaped
destruction by fire only q few weeks ago, and
had the old building gone the granite front of
the new one must inevitably have been
ruined. Congress Hall is also in dangerous
proximity to the new edifice, which, on every
account, should be finished as speedily as
possible. The real work of the session will
hardly commence before the middle of
February, though some bills will undoubtedly
be introduced Immediately, which would be of
importance were they fated to pass as speedily.