Year: 1873

A CARD FROM MR.. ODONNELI-


70 me Ed,Ior Of The Tribune


SIR: The unusual circumstance of the An
nua Supply BILL which the aggregate appropriates
millions OF dollars from the public treasury, being al
lowed 20 remain 10 the custody OF officer OF the Az
semby for twelve DAYS unsigned by the presiding officer
without whose certificate OF s passage It would fail to
become law with the comments OF the Press thereoh
will justify me in this communication The Dill DelhgpTop
ery engrossed declined TO send 1t 10 New-York 10 o
tain presiding officers signature, for the reason e


was unwilling 10 trust important a bill out OF my
custody at Albany Some days after In reply TO tee-
gram also declined TO print the bill to send to the ar
ferent members OF the conference committees, they
having left for their respective homes for tho reason
had authority either 10 print or TO senn out
BILL without the signature Of the proper authorities
which would make 1t law. Nor had any members OF
the committees, any other person. any authority 10
change or alter in any the bill passed. either
10 correct their those OF any other PERSONS
even If such errors were be found The assumption
OF such power and its exercise after the functions OF
the Legislature had expired would be dangerous
and clear violation Of the fundamental law II errors
are made at the clerks desk in enosslng bill after
a report from conference committed 10 the House,
they are easily detected. The report Of the committee
IA always In writing and Ia Transcribed upon the Journal
The original report goes with the bill first 10 the Speaker,
and then 10 the Governor. The Speaker may compare
the bill with the written report OF the conference com
mttee before being signed ne dees . u n
a similar duty. II the bill agrees with the written re-
port, no person change it, The acceptance OF the
report by the Legislature, being legislative act no
power change or alter 1t but the Legsature. 1ne
duty OF the Clerk to the bill correctly engrosed
at once ready for the signature OF the Speaker The
duty was faithfully performed The bill has become


law by the signature OF the officers Of both Houses and
has been approved by the Governor.


In the interests OF good government ana for the repu
tation Of all who may be interested, trust that here
after no bill OF such vast importance will be permitted,
under any preense TO remain In the custody OF any
person after the Legislature has adjourned except the
Governor OF the state. IL for any cause bill may DO
kept in the possession Of officer OF the Legislature for
II days may be kept for indefinite time. The op-
pOrtuny thus given 10 fraudulenty change the Dill and
accompanying message, to make both agree, ought
not to be allowed under any circumstances. The fact
that this bill has been kept locked up In the Assembly safe
and has been tampered WITH gives no assurance for
the future The confidence reposed by the people Ia the
gritty Of the officers OF the last Assembly ought not
to DE used to establish dangerous precedent. Every
bill which passes the Legislature should Oe carried TO
the Executive Chamber with the least possible delay.


Albany, June IA, 1873 j. ODoNNLLL