The New York Herald Newspaper, February 26, 1873, Page 3

A REFORM PROTEST. Condemnation of the Custom House Charter. Mass Meeting of Reformers Last Night. THE CHARTER DISSECTED. Speeches by James M. Brown, Prof. T. M. Dwight, Parke Godwin, Joseph H, Choate, James M. Emott, Edward Salomon, Jackson 8, Schultz and Oswald Ottendorfer, The Mayor’s Office Must Be a Responsible One. NO POLICE AUTOCRACY! Republicans and Democrats in De- nunciation on the Rostrum. SPRING ELECTIONS DEMANDED. Agrand mass meeting was held im the large hall of the Cooper Institute last night, under the aus- pices of the Committee of Seventy, to protest @gainst the passage, in its present form at least, ofthe charter for the city of New York now be- fore the Legislature, and known as the Custom House Republican Charter. As early as seven 9’clock people began te assembie about the doors, and though at haif-past seven o'clock the crowd ‘was not numerous, the hall was well filled at eight, the hour announced for the opening of the proceed- ings. The audience was composed wholly of men, and was respectable im poimt of appearance and deportment. The police arrangements were under | the supervision of Captain Byrne, of the Fifteenth precinct, commanding detachments drawn from the reserves of the various precincts. There was mo‘decoration of any part of the hall, and no brass band blatant, and the platform, flied, as it was, with An array of some of the “solid men” of New York, was the grand ocular and aural focus. The Reform Association, of which Mayor Havemeyer, Oswald Dttendorfer, Robert B. Roosevelt and other well- known citizens are members, was also present, co-operating with the Committee of Seventy. ‘Among the prominent gentlemen on the platform were Robert M. Hoe, Peter Coaper, Theodore D. Dwight, Jesepa H, Choate, Parke Godwin, Jackson A, Schultz, John Foley, ex- Judge James M. Emott, James M. Brown, Albert Klamroth, James M. Halsted, Howard Potter, George W. Lane, James D. McKenzie, and numer- Ous.others representing brains, integrity, capital and industry. The assemblage listened with very @eep interest to the proceedings, and certainly presented @ decorous appearance not always to be met with in political conciaves in the metropolis. The applause was quite frequent and at times very enthusiastic, During one portion of Mr. Parke God- win’s address he calied upon the audience to put down all such precedents as special party legisia- Rion In the framing of a charter, a constatution, the Breat organic law of government for this great metropolis. In the course of his remarks he used the word “precedent’? several times, and at the termination of a round of applause an ener- Betic German cried out:—‘‘But vy don’t ve do avay vid de presidency altogedder?” ‘The Teuton’s mis- OD see of terms was lost in @ burst of uglter. ‘Taking into consideration the fact that the meet- ing was hastily calied, that it was not un occasion calling forth the same enthusiasm as an election mass meeting, and that the subject matter of the Meeting last night is a qnestien upon which even party opinion is divided, the gathering was a great success, The speakers embraced men of bota political creeds, and the gentlemen whe raced the platform were also drawn from the rout ranks of conservative democracy and republicanism. It was estimated that there were not less than jour thousand persons present. ‘Under the last clause of the resolutions adopted, ‘and which will be found in the report of the pro- ceedings, Professor Theodore M, Dwight, Jackson 8. Schultz, James M. Emott, Howard Potter, Joseph H. Choate, D. B, Eaton, Edward Salomen, Oswald Ottendorfer, Robert Hoe and Benjamin Tatham were @ppointed by the Chairman a committee of ten to Vena! to Albany and to ask a further ee be- lore the committee of the Senate upon the subject matter of the resolutions and of the sense of the meeting in relation thereto. Mr. James M. Brown, Chairman of the Committee of Seventy, presided, and introduced the speakers, * In calling the meeting to order he said:— THE CHAIRMAN’S ADDRESS. Fritow Crrizens—I am glad to see so good a response to the call issued by the Committee of Seventy, at the re- Quest of other retorm organizations and citizens gen- erally. [ will detain you but a moment, as there are gen- diemen here, well _kriown to you all, who will address You upon the issues connected with a charter for the city OLN ork, which we are met to consider, and L beg to sk your eartest attention to their statements. The ne- cessity for reforms in the city’s affairs which called the Committee of Seventy into existence in 18/1 still exis ul the earnest co-operation ot all citizens is demande til the right of the people to an honest, economical 1 efficient city government is accorded and secured. e the organization of the committee its labors have been continuous and arduous—with some good Fosults as well ay not a iow disappointments, Last a the large proportion the eo of Legis slature the members elected upon reform — platform u few of them through the influence of this committee and kindred associations, without dis tinction of party, entitled us to hope that the subject of the charter would be treated with no other purpose than {Wo give to this city a charter by means of which substan- tial reforms could be secured in the several departments of Its government. We have aright to ask this Levisia- ture for such measures of permanent relief as are sorely needed. ‘The entire responubility ior whatever we get, good of bad. must rest with the Legisiaiure now in power aud with the party dominant in it. We d legislation in the interest of any lo Dot ask for an or party, but solel; for the permanent relief of this outraged and’ oppresee Twill now introduce Professor Theodore communit, W. bwij an of the Committee on Legislation { Seventy, whose fainlliarity with the ject of the charter and discussion of it repeat. mmittees of the Legislature you are all SPEECH OF PROFESSOR DWIGHT, Professor THEODORE DwiGHT said:— The Committee of seventy had called that meeting tog er in obedience to the trust that the city had pl 1 reform movement thee pirit of reform and in the interests of the city, The Republican Com- mittee, when it proposed to deal_with the charter, was dealt with by the Committee of Seventy in a spirit of candor and fai but the result had been to show that It with the charter in a pat not in sympathy wii sis of the people. (Loud cheers.) As to ye charter, the first point, and the great point, was hether the Mayor si ave responsibility. (Cheers, there were. thr eat requisites in political nd responsibility, How were secured? By distribuiing them with body of ment (Cries of “No!”) There must be sibility with one m: the e ve le power of app removal Professor ‘Dwicht then dwell ‘ the government of vas said (resumed the Professor) that we may a bad Mayor; ii you could not trust the That was the theory; but it likely that it could be got through the Legis therefore, he was authorized to make this enjent—that the committee was willing to make rmpromise—that the Mayor appoint and let the “men coufirm. Now, the geutieman who proposed ‘nin the Legisiature provides that the Mayor has . weer of removal (Cry of “Who is this gentle- fhe Bs The speaker said’ he did not intend to Chil a. &, Dames then; he should merely address Fisselt to, privciples. “(Cries of inquiry con- tinued, and" at “iength | & voice |, exclaimed, Haneds. gm Murphy!) duoud laughter.) The objection to tris su testion for removai was that the Governor to tis Su Mier with the Mayor, to say nothing of the suc- ght comb ‘gumen that might be nominated by the Heer She effect of the Governor not agreeing with Ayer vane. ‘ould be that the Chief Magistrate would Mong as well ashe could with this officer Sm We objected. Then the question came as st whom. tons. The advan of that were that ‘es ‘arated from party politics, (Loud Why. @uld not New York do as smaller ore) ane ae Was sald at Albany that New beg Vinterest ia the elections if they were tore ee ine’ St, Mat might be true of three or four Tot rue bow. New York had reasomt eee a eet chat 'm 8 done during the last few years, Other old hor young Wen will forget that. Therefore, din Spring election mig MEDC safely tried, ‘The effect of the charter was to lead 1 "¢ departnents in separare ‘ewer over them, action, withowthout chec® oF hindrance.’ The effect setlon | ‘was 10 magnily all th ic of r over, for exam) parunenta eae oye pegnons, who had dowe po power to stop sinecurists o ™ - é - oRine forthe money they clatm’ Now te departments that the; ad ven them @ power so cnhormey ed cota eur GAUsEEOWs W. tach RODDIS Trmene wae Proyed these men of ¥jnance there pag sae ano WEW YORK HERALD, WEDNESDAY, reat whatnot fone ahd shall be ge not ea era Kees crt gd cuca aa tk ea alae the pFoudest city in the wor . (oud cheers.) ad th ° follow! Tesolu- Mr, Howarp Porren re: ie in; tions, which were enthusiastically adopted :— ‘That the gan, unselfish and to telli- set nablid continent regis poy tnt ‘and strength for its great exposure of official de "ot Seventy, which defeated the intlgues at ed the best results im the late muni- cunning every measure of party aggrandizement by whatever Pafevalved: Tht the higher publie opinion in our pot- eolved, ie ir ic ion our ties ‘and especially in our ef 4 s z the ablest public jourmais and School of polities) Is destined to rema’ hty force whieh no party can sately ogurd, a1 which cannot fail to gain strength from every punisl ment of official dishonesty and every reform ln our po- litical methods. NO COERCION AT ELECTIONS, Resolved, That lucetion of the the Yeily government de one of princinle and eG, hich’s property 6 its stand > wi ma) EE and as ul é i the better punli: every attempt to Use the machinery of municipal aduinistration to per- suade or coerce elections; we declare pragiicable we rej a le this to se use tre ie, nt neial disbar ome oF omcial Cabuing ana favol attempt outrage upon ‘public right and an ei bof palltics but am evidence of um Pe et we belong: Rerolved, That no party can retain tts Rold upon pab- Uo reapestor long velain power after tt hase, yreidee to ‘as thereby ranks most of worthy to be its leaders, nor can either party nor any Dublle’ man gain pubile ‘confidence rteorling toin- ‘ue and uniounded demands and ch: ‘a time when public affairs demand the ‘co- operation of the able ot all cm Resolved, That we condemn ae utters hy those 1» we condemn claimi ng to be leaders in ither party, as inconsistent with public duty, all influences and jor maki! charter subse: to the end of Kcoplng or bineing certain men in offs, and we. invoke coping or plac ‘th; Erull t fearless expre-sion ot pull inion which shall make persons promoting acl ges ashamed maportnn ¢ much in reomneetion with \y to the fact that citizens hi portunities for public he: mittees of atu committees o! for publicity of proceed: quency for such ‘continuity of ten pone capesly ape creams § City public opinion tor ma Y val de to some extent on real ‘fequal icatiol Tor ave ihn see eieceve Severe ze far pay are adi their apparent purpose, deserve our’ rt and con- tribute ‘mach to, make the pending charter better than its predecessors. But, SENTaxos Of Commaax4nny. Resolved, That the follow! Br lons of the charter call for our unqualified condemnation ;— 1. The method Or sppelnieneyts, according to which the Mayor is deprived legitimate intiuence and appro- priate function as the chiet executive officer, in a contingency which betrays @ partisan aun Easy is expected to take seatin the Board of Aldermen with only the single vote of @ member of that . And the amendment of this method, a in the same spirit, according to which the duty of nomination is given to the Aldermen and of confirmation to the or. We de- afforded fair o| ns before ie mand that the power of nomination he given to the Mayor and of confirmation to the Aldermen; that both shall ex- creiee thelr authority im the spirit of these resolutions, and that public opinion be toshame and utterly crush such officers in case of any obstinate reiusal to per- forma publle duty. 2. We condemn the provisions req the assent of the Aldermen toa removal of « head oi department: we that uo such rie? be removed until. afte: fair as to causes which have been as- writing, de! that babitual siveceterr iit 'y in discharge of gt be treate in adequate cause for such removal, and declare that hon ht of oval the tenures of office provide ror are not justifiable. CIVIL SERVICE REFORM DEMANDED. 3. Yor the same reasons we condemn the provisions under w! of bureaus and raquler clerks may be fore any causes of removal are med, ‘without the htest opportunity for ppleae mn. We declare that suc! prov! a will “keep most worthy Spphcants tho such places, and will favor partisan ap- pol t intended intments snd removals, cven if not rr that purpose. As democrats we desire application of ae repul the principle of civil service reform, mi we Call upon e republical 8! en) ame honest and sajuta inthe city Halt which lent is entorcing in the city Custom meth the republican Prentt the President has House, and we call upon those whot pista explain, if they can. why they repudiate the ich the rinciple of that great national rolorn w lent inaugurated and sustains, We demand, also, YW ness be required of every person rninen| tecking'a clerkenip ander tte cit seeking @ 1e 4. we demand that mhcieney. Fa m at ‘time scoured by wu and executive mn have the duties of t Xes amd Assessments, and that there be two or more members, with classified terms of office; so that theft and injustice may be less caay ; 80 that personal liarities may not prevail; so that'th city may not be suddenly left with no experience at head—that great and most responsible branch of its busi- ness, 6. We demand that the counsel to the Corporation and the Public Administrator shall be appointed by some Judicial authority, and for a longsr term, so that the rules of law and the principles of justice, which alone such officers should apply, shall not continue to be bartered in party caucuses and conventions. NO POLICE SURVEILLANCE, 7, We condemn as dangerous to any party which shall enact them the provisions of the forty-eighth section, under which the Board of Police may institute examina- tions, with limits as to subject, person and time, save its own rules and regulations, and also the provisions of the sixty-ninth section, by which authority appears to be given tothe Superintendent of Police to keep under his control a band of spies, whose doings and character » but that officer is to’ kmow; and we di in regard to police affairs shall be beyond the jowledge and responsibility ot the Police Commis- sioners, 8. We demand for the Board of Health, which must mainiain a constant struggle in very numerous guits in the courts with the criminal and lawiess classes, the au- thority to select its atiorney at a moderate salary. 9. We condemn as unsafe the provisions of the’ ninety- fourth section, providing that the same member of a board may be Hoth its treasurer and its president, MUZZLING THK PUBLIC WATCHDOG. 10, We condemn the suspicious omission from the 14th section of that part of the amendment proposed by the Committee ot Seventy, and contained in the laws of 1865 and 1896, under which private citizens as well as munici- pal officers may Institute an inquiry into oMeial abuses. ve demand that those out of office shall under proper limitations baye this right, so that it shall not be possible for those in office, controlled by party policy or by the fears of common’ delinquency, to prevent all summary investigation. 11, That while we regard provisions like those of the 117th section, by which the ordinary discussion of the tax levy and expenditu ot the city are taken from the Legislative brauch and given toa few high officers, as at best a very extreme measure and, perhaps, as dangerous asitis opposed to principle and precedent, we must utteriy condemn it, unless made more safe by that op- portubily ior # public hearing on the part of citizens be- lore the Board of Apportionment proposed by the Com- miitee of Seveaty, and also by some stringent provisions for the punishment of any dereliction of duty on the part of m ors of said Hoard. 12, We regard as unwise the provision by which the Aldermen annually elected are to be the representatives of the majority alone, and we call for some provision by which those in the mivority may secure a representation 2 no as far as possible proportioned to their numbers. 13. And lastly, we utterly condemn the provisions for conierring varied and extensive powers upon @ sin- gle person as Commissioner of Public WHOM DO THEY MEAN? The infamous origin of that Department, the common beliet that it was originally placed in the sole power of one great knave to aid that en hang robbery of the public treasury which covers with suspicion everything connected with its name, give increased force to’ ever: ordinary reason of safety and principle which demai two or more commissioners at Ment. We declare these reasons to be clei overwhelming. We call upon the islature to provide several commissioners for this great Department, which isburses so many millions of dollars and may influence $0 many thousands of votes. A Ceeresye el we demand that a partisan ef inferior qualifications shall not be allowed to have a sole Res aoe in our which th City could nardly with eatery be usted As republicans, 7 sail Fr the’ i rt to call upon a in power not Sant ea ALY ‘orks, commit th iy whiel hastened one by perpetuating method 0 sus ublic mind that a single commissioner Bee condemned beyond all possibility of lure our conviction that, soclear is the need of re pg 80 on is the belief that r any honest reasons, 80 {he suspicions caused by the aiving of addi. jonai powers to this nf, since the proposed charter was first presented at Albany, that nothing short of organi this departmeat with several commission. ers, on the same principles as the other departinents, can arrest the prevalence in the highest quarters of sus- icions of purtisal fraud and corruption, alike dis- onorable to the party, its leaders and to the Legislature, “olved, at in view of these considerations, and especially of the changes made in the preposed charter since any public hearing as to Its provisiyns, a committee Of ten be appointed by the Chair wo procedd to “albany and a rther hearing before the committee of the Senate upon the matters referred to in these resolutions james of the committee he are as —Theodore W. Dwight, Jackson 8, Schultz, James Emott, Howard Potter, Joseph H. Choate, Dorman B. Eaton, Edward Salomon, Oswald Otten- dorier, Robert Hoe and Benjamin Tatham, SPEECH OF MR. PARKE GODWIN, Mr. Panes Gopwrn made a few introductory remarks as to the Important ition New York held in’ the coun- try, made important by the fact tha was equal to six of the smallest equal to the population of each of nineteen it considering, thereiore, a scheme of govern- ment for that city there should be an absence of partisan spirit, end there should be brought the same high mo- tives that governed the bodies who met in constitutional convention. His objection to the charter, therefore, was thatit was partican charter; it had been said by i foremost advocate on the floor of the Hoase that it w framed by republicans and would be passed by republi vi Shame.) For the last ten years a brood of vam pireshad had this city clutched by the throat, and had een sucking its blood almost to the heart, (Cries “That's #.") Some of those been stopped fr 4 aud it was proposed the whole hrood ofthem frou oclug any further mmischle! Hy sending thein to Sing Sing (Applause.) The charter dif not keep faith. to form party; nearly all the organizations for reform opposed to this charter. It made the Havemeyer @ noneatity. (Lo a e Te pointing power to . the executive power.” @ combination exist the henchman of Tweed, and these assist ay who claiio demands from the city to ‘he monde pt tit, eR lg I RC nt 0 6 dyed ti ve thiover, But tn th a ancora -] Be ct et ed bal it there those claims would never —fioud'cheers}sand those vouchers would. never be be stole Ni lock the stable dent alter ths porese were gonss asf been te but to ith loud cheer- this charter a to uitle in igeceey dat charter has one overwhelmi: trauanie) gary SCG, by whi ? giving » ena sim) Now, after pF gut labor and you know who held us wi a brutal uded over toeight men with at least an appoint Power, Tdon’t seo that we have bet- tered our condition at all after all the vast , ense of paar iad (Cheers) There was a old- ishiont rang in which the sapreme power was vested in the Chiet Executive, wi eived the approval and was the practice and the na- 01 at principle was, he thoug! our safe might be Touiid. Idermer mt S¥ox aud the Stork tne distribution o ower wak solved "hy the Committee of Haventy asking Bera teed neiedaptteas cack bet ° Ran tl @ hundred rears. If_it were good enough tor us, When a great i: ion fr ‘says F S going to five the power fo the Mayor but pee rae enh Talc lone ay inte eect. (Cheers) He tation he sion ad the of republicans at Al- ans were in favor of this this bey? ras to let the now that that ernor Dix giving the Mayor power to remove officers and appoint others in their place. If the Mayor should appoint A. I. Green to be kept in ot the public tunds, and the Board of Aldermen wi Dot. him, that was what the ring republi- cans called a deadlock, but there could pe no deadlock if the Hoard of Aldermén were as houest gs the Mayor. (Cheer) as these evil contrivers had been iniect- the Of Aldermen with some of their own spirit Fe Col no deadlock between the Mayor and that rd. But if the Board of Aldermen determined to become deadlockers, why, then there would be a dead- lock, and Bliss, Davenport and Company might then ie. power of appointment be taken lent of the United States and be nothing but a dummy trom, thathe should in the White House. . was another false pretence urge , that Mr. Havemeyer was notto be trusted. So said the repub- lican mana one and It was clear somebody should not kind of reformers were \t those men, who, up to the day of cloction, had been laud- ing Mr. Havemeyer, and then after his élection said he was worse than. any Tammany devil that ever lived ? Fortunately for Mr. Havemeyer he was well known and trusted betore some of his accusers had got their swad- dling clothes and before some of them began to suck, (Cheers, rey eated several times.) Nothing could take out of the people their confidence in Mr. Havemoyer. Mr, Choate read @ passage from Governor Dix's message, suongly in favor of Mr. Havemeyer, and. in the spirit of General Dix’s language, he (Mr. Choate) said, if any one should tear down Mr.'Havemeyer's good fame, shoot him on the When he was in Albany he heard that the sup; 8 of the charter were deliberat- ing, and, like the Woman who deliberated, he would say they were lost. ( ws.) He urged, it necessary, an appeal to the Governor, He had faith in the Se which they make the Thermopyle of a public vic: tory. (Cheers.) PF EX-JUDGE EMOTT. Ble Exort was next speaker. After denounc- ig the tions of Tweed, Hail, Conuolly and Sweeny heteasd ie people were told, ‘in’ 1871, that ‘the method af against the charter was by repeal. 1t was said that if the ay of ad the power of remaaral and appoj nt he would adictator. He (Mr, Kimott) would rather have one dictator than fliteen. Mr. Hall was a small imen of a dictator, but he was moved on by others, Power of appointment as pro- Posed by the charter was by persons who were not re- sponsible, and the parties to be appointed were to be fe term “beyond the or ¢ Mayor. a term” of This charter’ proposed toeive the Mayor ° Board wer to send a message to the Moar of Aldermen and to eonter with the heads of depart- meats, What be the use of a Mayor if he was to have no but to send @ message and offer a feeble ebrirgetion to the acts of other ment They woul it have honest men in ‘until the; onest to put them there. (Cheers.) 6 occurrenc zene anda half ¢ hope that the people were de. 5 government and robbery. Cheers.) One thing no¥ referred to in the resolutions Was that the municipal elections should be from the elections in the Fall. He wi lution to that effect, It wassaid that 1 1d not come out at that election; but he did mot believe that, looking at the up: ‘of the people that had already taken place. (Cheers.) A total retorm was what the cxi- reso- people wo gency of the hour required. He protested against tho republican party being held respousible tor this charter. The ir ls of Tammany had stunk in the nostrils of the try. But the republican party was the party of great inoral principles. rue that the plunder ot New York was dearer to a party than good govern- ment it was a sorry state of things; but this charter was the work of a tow men—a few office-seeking politicians, Mayor Havemeyer was not to be trusted by this faction of republican politicians, because he would not make bargains with them. Let them see that the Governor of the State of New York heard of this charter. Ir the charter would give them a proper system of ap- pointment and removal by the Mayor, and an election at @ time different irom the Fall elections, they would be satisfled with He (Mr. Emott) would conclude by the judgment of this meeting, the best ity aid the cause of municipal reform election for municipal officers be held ata different seasou of the year from the General state yn. ‘his resolution was unanimously adopted. REMARKS BY EX-GOVERNOR SOLOMONS, Ex-Governor SoLowoxs briefly addressed the mnecting. He strongly protested, as a member of the great republl- can party, against the scheme of governinent which the 5 Albany Legislature attempted to put through tor the city ot New York with whip aud spur. (Cheers. were Aold that the Legislature were hesitatin, hey de- ‘and tl termined to reter the charter to the Committee of the Whole, so that they might profit by what was said there to-night. (Cheers) A man who, eighteen months ago, had yreat power in the State, and’ had been accused of certain irregularities, sald, “What are you going to do aboutit?” ‘the men who Supposed that they had now the Legisiature of the State of New York in their hands would soon find out what the people were going to do about it. (Cheers), He was here to-night because he was @ republican, because he had appealed to the people to return republicans who would be true to reform. But if the republicans at Albany would only change masters and hand the city of York over io misgovernment he, a re nblican, gave his supp rt to no such plan, (Cheers.) ‘he Legislature, heeding the yolce of the people, would attend to the suggestions that had been offered’ at this meeting. (Oheers) REMARKS OF JACKSON 8 SCHULTZ. Mr. Jackson 8. Scuutra was the next speaker. He said he was somewhat embarrassed, as he had to speak Against political triends. Ho spoke, against the partisan character of the charter. One of the departments, now spending six millions of dollars, and managed by M ‘au Nort, was to have one Cominissioner, Nort was to be called back by the ch that department. That departmen William M. “weed, was now to naged by Van rt. Mayor Hall ‘appointed Mr. Van Nort. He was retained by an arrangement, and he was now to be the great William M. tweed. ’ The revublican pariy at ban; Van_ Nort the patronage of 5,000,000 to $9,000,000. If Van Nort was a modest man he should Ike to have his responsibility divided with him, They had appointed a new Corpora- tion Attorney under very peculiar circumstances. Who was he? Was itCharies O'Conor? No. it was Delafield ry ive Mr. Smith ; and by this charter it was proposed that he soe le have charge of all the law departments of the city. (Mr, Schultz) said to his brother republic thi could not afford to do this great wrong, put Mr. Green out, they could not afford todo that. (Cheers.) The public had got the notion that Andrew HW. Green was an honest man, and he belleved irs.) Mr. Green, Mr. Havemeyer, Mr. O’Conor honest democrats as they were—stood by the republicans, and helped to save the city of New York from ruin. (Cheers.) SPEECH OF MR, OTTENDORFER, Mr. OSWALD OrTgeNnDORFER, in the course of his speech, said :— It is known that this charter was prepared by a sub- committee of a political penisaiiee, whose members openly admitted that in doing thelr work they did not reteiid to be indifferent to the wishes and interests of hhetr party; and it is asserted from. all sides—tro ress e party. Now, sir, w rience t What are the past, in regard to the attempt to mak mui Affairs subservient to the interests of political parti The conviction of the destructive tendency of this system ‘was so general and deep among ail our well meaning citizens that even a political party had to acknowledge it by boutnating, at the last election, gentleman tor the highest executive office who they openly admitted would, ifelecied, hot be tho Mayor of their party, but the repre: sentative of the cause of reform, to which’ they desired to give thelr hearty support. That party received the well merited encomium for its disinterestedness, and was re- warded by the confidence of the people and Iintraste with the Undisputed control in our State and municipal officers, “But now, when Promises given are to bo made a reality, when we ask the Legisiature under the influence of that party, to enact laws that will enable the citizens of New York (0 reap the fruita of their exertions, we are told that the promise was only given to the ear to be broken to the heart, that the power gained vy the assertion that our city fn i ral 0 be relieved is only to be used fetters arow rom the shackles of political pa fo rivet more securely the py ournecks; in short, as @ member of the my had the boldness to declare openly last Friday, that the charter under consideration was a party measure, drawn. by republi- cans. brought to Albany by sepepilaane nd te assed by republicans. Now, sir, what will, what must be the Fonult of she padeage of this'charter, and of the aaminis- tration of our munictpal affairs under itt do not pretend to be a prophet, but It does not require great foresight to og rd that im Cap ig r of itour public debt would increased during the present year from fifteen to twenty mil at ig to defray; ¢ runming expenses of the government, and without counting the issue of ermanent bonds, ‘the proceeds of which are to be aps Pied to permanent improvements, This debt world con- sist partially in temporary loans, partially in outstand- ing claii ind bills tor Habtiities incurred without legal authori ind in excess of the jegal ‘aopropriations, re peyien ot which the next Leg! will authorize by Gece aws Re {he ops yey poe resent siatarc ts induced to i ‘isan purposes. To cover'the track of the mistakes i, New errors must be committed, and one wrong ste) Fopagates numerous others in the sane Mion” Ms The meeting adjourned about clovep o'clock, FEBRUARY 26, 1873.TRIPLE SHEET. THE STATE CAPITAL. Republican Demonstration in the Assembly Over the Charter. The Leaders Stand Aghast at a Sudden Change. Even by a Two-Third Vote Were the ‘Disciplinarians” Thwarted. The Bill Ordered Back to the Commit- tee of the Whole. LAST EVENING’S CAUCUS QUESTIONS. ALBANY, Feb. 25, 1878, To the utter amazement of republicans of the Custom House order and of the members of the mi- nority the leaders of the majority were made to suffer an ignominious defedt to-day, when the question of referring back the New York charter to the Committee on Cities was made by the now thoroughly humiliated Mr. Opdyke. Not one inten of the members on either side expected, in fact even ventured to speculate as to the possibility of there being 4 “BREAK”’ IN THE RANKS OF THE FAITHFUL, and 40, under the circumstances, the turn affairs finally took is all the more to be wondered at, look ot it in whatever point of view one may feel in- clined to. It was no preconcerted plan that brought about the thwarting of the managers’ plans, no secret caucus, mo social circle, nothing of the kind. It was simply the bold- ness = of one man in the majority, who dared, despite all that might disastrously re- sult to bimself personally by the course he saw fit to take, to raise his voice against the tactics ef the leaders, and without stint of denunciation or mincing of words speak his mind freely, openly, even bitterly. This man is Mr. Batcheller from Saratoga county, as sound and uncompromising a republican as can be found anywhere in the state. It 80 happened that he was absent on Friday when the bill was ordered to a third reading, and this fact alone, outside of all other considerations, af- forded him an excellent opportunity to take A BOLD 8TAND against the hasty legislation which he was unable to protest against before, The real reason why a suspension of the rules was not moved, as origt- nally intended, was the well grounded fear that a two-thirds majority, the requisite vote to carry the motion, could not be obtained. When the order of third reading of bilis was reached finally, instead of attempting to put the charter on its final pas- 08°) ip FELL T0 THE LOT OF MR, OPDYKE (rather, pursuant to the instructions of the men who whipped him into line, and who are now mak- ing him do their bidding the more to make him feel the dependent position he occupies) to make the first move for the leaders, He did it by moving that the bill be referred back to the Committee on Cities, with instructions to divide section 76 and make one section of sections 77 and 78, to strike out sections 68 and 69, and change the title of the act so that it would read, “An act to reorganize the local government of the city of New York.” Batcheller here got the floor and made an amendment to Opdyke'’s motion that the bill be Tecommitted to the Committee of the Whole with- out any instructions. Opdyke endeavored to get over this diticulty by raising the point of order that Mr. Batcheller’s motien could not be enter- tained until the vote was reconsidered by which the bill had been ordered to a third reading. A wrangle toek place over this Ped which only lasted for @ moment or-two, and vhen Batcheller began to explain why he had made the motion he had. He declared that to hurry the bill through alter the fashion desired by those who had charge of it was in direct violation of THE REFORM PLEDGES GIVEN BY REPUBLICANS at the last election, He and all those of the ghd he acted with had been elected by the people be- cause they had solemnly promised to set their faces against hasty legislation and the disgraceful tactics in passing laws under the whip and spur of the previous question which had, under Tammany Hall's management, made the Legislature of New York by-word all over the Union. There was no neces- sity for hurry in the matter. He did not want it to go abroad, however, that he was disloyal to bis party, or that in domg what he believed was his duty in opposing the hasty passage of the bill, he was acting with the democratic party, for he spurned that party, and had always and would always fight against it. AS A PARTY QUESTION he would vote for the charter when it was put on its final passage; but he was sworn to do his duty to the people, and he would not swerve from the straight path for any man or any setofmen. He closed by exhorting all those members who felt that they were independent and owed no man special allegiance, when the good of any section of the State was at stake, to pause before passing the bill until it had been more lengthily and more calmly considered in Committee of the Whole. Mr. Batcheiler’s speech created a decided sensa- tion and made the leaders stand aghast with affright. Itcame down upon them, and, indeed, upon most of their followers, with all the sudden: ness of a whirlwind, and as Batcheller took his seat a glance avout tne Chamber showed quite plainly that the speech had made a telling effect upon the country inembers, ‘The Speaker, before Batcheller had quite closed his remarks, called Mr. Prince te the chair and took a seatin the body of the House, and when the Saratogian sat down got the fleor. He at once opened by ee that there had been hasty Je; lation in dealing with the bill, and to prove his assertion he went on to show that several ses- sions had been held on one day, and that after twelve hours’ discussion on it, and the minority proving factious, it had been progressed and aiter- wards ordered to a third pide 4 He spoke calinly and coolly, but he was evidently excited. By this time there was the utmost excitement on the floor, and here, there and everywhere about the Chamber THE COUNTRY MEMBERS OF THE MAJORITY could be seen huddled together in little groups, discussing among themselves the “chances” or the merits of the situation according as the various groups Were honestly or diskonestly inclined. This excitement was made all the more intense when the Speaker resumed his seat and Lincoln, of On- tario, got the floor, and followed in the wake of Batcheiller in a vigorous appeal for his republican friends not to give way to impulse or bow the knee to party disciplinarians when the rights of a mil- lion of people were involved. Then, to the honor of the eee ba rose Clapp, of Putnam, and after him West, of Saratoga, who took the same views of the situation Lincoln. But when Manley, of Chautauqua, followed with the assertion that he had just come from the western part of the State, and that there was MUCH COMPLAINT AMONG THE REPUBLICANS as to the way the New York charter was being managed, bp bet bee utterly fallen and dis- may' phe mocrata, with rable good tact, did mot make @ move or utter @ word while Batcheller and the other republicans who fellowed him were breaxing out of the traces. Blumenthal alone made the mistake to get up and ‘ ratu- late’ those republicans who were independent enough ,to stand up for right 1d justice. How- ever, Blumenthal’s blunder 8 Of no great mo- ment after all or the minortt; , inasmuch as he did not mal speech. The leaders now saw that if they attempted to force Opdyke’s original motion they would get ROUTED—HORSE, FOOT AND DRAGOONS, So the word was passed round ana a note sent to Opdyke, who got SP, and, alter withdrawing his other motion, moved to go into Committee of the Whole at once on the bill, Had this motion been made by anybody else it might have been carried; but the country republicans had got their blood up, and, under the impression that there must be some dodgo hidden under the PT dap he 4 fair motion coming from 4 man who is now able to do only as he is ena gene oy was voted down. Only thirty- four members voted for it on a count —a full two- thirds vote being against it. Then, after a little desultory diseussion about the rules, the question finally resolved itself into a motion that the bill be REFERRED TO THE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE, and that it be made a special order to-morrow alter the reading of the journal. This motion was made by Batehelier, and if there was before any doubt in anybody's mind as to the real meaning of the sudden change of iront the country republi- cans ad made on the question of whip and spur versus independent legislation, aa far as the bill is 2 concerned, it was t away by the motion vein, carried by seventy-tiebe votek. is " Now the question arises, does the stand taken by those republicans through whose instramen- tality the bill was peeyousee from being put on its final passage indicate that THEY WILL FIGHT THE LEADERS TO THE BITTER N END Will they go so far as to defeat the bill if they do not succeed in Pet ail their wants’ 1 think they wiil not, and the very best evidence that they do not mean to make @ factious combination against the bill lies in the claim made by Bacheller, Lincoln, West, Clapp and all the others, that their AcHign to-day Was Rrompied golly by thei denixe .Dro} as republicans to have the charter fairly considered belore they vote for it, They all contend that they are acting a8 republicans, and spurn the idea that they are playing into the bands of the democratic Ti they are to be believed Um Rese in the ound as Bacheller said he would be found— those who would VOTE POR THE BILL AS A PARTY MRASURE, This is undoubtedly the position of these repub- Means, and tose who are building re t hopes of the ultimate defeat of the bill on t and they saw fit to take to-day will find that they are count- ing without their host. There is another view that must be taken of this demonstration on the art of Batcheiler and his followers, Thal pro. stations as to their determination to stan a the bill im the long run as a hr measure will undoubtedly hold good, Still they may prove troublesome by insisting ‘upon many amendinents being engrafted into it which tke Custom House parey do not want, bat which they will nave under he circumstances to accept, whether they want to or not, in order to avoid a downright mutiny, THE PUBLIC LAND DISTRIBUTION. Senator Woodin brought into prominence this morning a proposition now pending beiore Con- gress, which seems to have been a proroand secret to all the other Senators, and which, in the pro- cess of debate seems to have covered a preity big haul for Corneli University. It ts in relation to the Congressional distribution of public domain to the States ior educational purposes, It protests against the equity of the dis- tribution as proposed, the same amount being donated to Rhode Island or Nevada as to New York or Pennsylvania, and the amount so donated going by another provision to the oldest, and, in most cases, the richest college in each State, In this State it would fall to Cornell Uni- versity, while needy colleges might starve, In Rhode Island it goes to Brown University, an octogenarian millionnaire, too rich now for com- fort, ard in New Hampshire to Dartmouth, a relic of Revolutionary days that has hoarded and accumu- lated ever since its infancy. The resolution pro- duced no very animated debate, as the Senate was all in tavor of {t, Senator Chatileld alone opposing it. He, however, represents Cornell University, among other institutions, in the Senate and was much perplexed to find some method of doing his best for the University and at the same time fol- lowing his party leader (Woodin). To find himself Yotingagainat thatetrict exponent of republicanism must have frightened the learned Senator from Corneil into the belief that he would next find him- self read out of the party. The resolutions were adopted. THE BILL RELATIVE TO TWEED’S ABSENCE. Senator Lowery’s bill requiring members of the Legislature to qualily early in the session—which reters chiefly to T'weed's case—was reported by the Committee on Privileges and elections, with no amendments beyond a verbal correction, It was, at Mr. Madden’s own request, laid over and ordered to be printed. THE CONGRESSIONAL APPOINTMENT. The following resolution of the Assembly was called up by Senator Woodin :— Resolved, If the Senate concur, thata committee of nine be appointed to confer with a similar com- mittee of the Senate for the purpose of securing a new apportionment of the State in Congressional districts, according to the Apportionment act of Congre: There was some interesting debate on tne ques- tion of the right of the Legislature to make a new apportionment, but it was shewn by Senator John- sou that Congress had provided for a reapportion- ment, and the right was conceded. The inequity of the present apportionment was also conceded, even by the republican members. The resolution was lafd on the table after the debate. WASHINGTON’S HEADQUARTBRS AT NEWBURG. Senator MappEN introduced a resolution pro- viding for the better care of Washington's Head- quarters: Newburg. This building, with the yard attached, is now one of the most interesting Telics of the Revolution that remain to the Repub- le, It 1s @ two story stone house, situated on the ‘hill in the village of Newburg, visible from the river, and even from the Hudson River Rail- road opposite, and it is well filled with old swords, pistols, boots, beds, desks and furniture whick the great Washington had himself used. It is State property, and the State has a janitor in charge of it at a salary of $260 a year, but by some hook or crook the trustees of Newburg have a great deal to do with it, and exercise a great deal of control over it in & manner that redounds more to the gratification of the trustees than to the preser- vation of the place. Mr. Madden wants the juris- diction of the State in this matter determined in order to preserve intact some of the most interest- ing relics of the great man whose memory is too. soon losing the reverence and fresiness that are its! due, and whose example seems to have passed en- tirely out of human recollection. Republican Caucus Over the Charter Probable and Improbable Phascs—A Humorous Scene in the Senate. ALBANY, Feb. 25—Evening, AN INFORMAL CAUCUS OF THE PARTY DISCIPLINA- ‘ANS, as Batcheller calls the leaders, was held this even- ing at the Delevan, and {it was decided that a@ conciliatory poiicy should be adopted to- morrow—indeed, so conciliatory that it is quite possible if Batcheller and hia friends should insist upon changing the appointing-power feature of the bill, so as to give the appoint- ments to the Mayor, subject to the confirma- tion of ine Board of Aldermen, with an absolute power of removal, they will meet with but little opposition ; that is, if they act so ugly as to endan- ger the future prospects of the party in the city in an office-holding point of view. The success of the independents will, it is conceded, depend in large part upon the conduct of the democrats, They in- tend to act as republicans, but IF THE MINORITY TO-MORROW SHOULD MAKE A FACTIOUS FIGHT and endeavor to take advantage of the stand Batcheller and his followers have taken they will drive the latter into an unqualified support ot everything and anything the leaders want to put into the bill. The democrats are no fools, how- ever, and will, it is believed, observe a strict neu- trality during the discussion which the cons idera- tion Of the bill in the Committee of the Whole again wiil be certain to give rise to, Itis said that the Speaker to-night, as a guarantee of the majority's good faith im endeavoring to make the charter really a enarter for protection and welfare of the peop le of New York, requested Mr. McGuire, of chuyler, a democrat, to submit reasonable amend- ments to the bill which, in his opinton, would per- fect it, regardless of party considerations. ‘This request was rejected with the reply that the bill had been deciared a party measure even by Batch- eller, and that the republicans should, therefore, be allowed to SHOULDER THE ENTIRE RESPONSIBILITY. As | nave said before, the hubbub of to-day will not by any means endanger the passage of the bill with the amendments suggested by Mr. Opdyke in his motion, embracing various instructions to the Committee on Cities, which was so utterly defeated Ts the squabble, and with certain other good amendments, which Batchelier and others will eifer. Tae apparently earnest opposition on the pers of the Batcheller republicans to the bill's being urried is a very good ok in its way, and will do the majority more good than harm. People who have been growling about the way the measure has been “ruslied” will be satified by the demonstra- tion of to-day, and when the bill is finally passed the cry that it was Ro ng through will no longer be of any avail. One thing is certain; despite the opinion of those who believe that the defeat o! the leaders this morning indicates opposition to the bill throughout, that the charter will be passed on Thursday, or on Friday at the very latest. The Senate was enlivened considerably to-night by an animated debate on Senator Chatiield’s BILL TO SUPPRESS GAMBLING, which in its original smape is exceedingly strict. Senator Chatfield is @ traly religious man, im- mersed in Methodism and Cong. with grace. Some time ago he signalized desire for saving souls by wrestling in prayer over some untorta- nate recusant among the Senators, with so little effect, however, that the Senator was indecurously nent to-night in casting ridicwe upon the good Chatfield’s bill. When it was read the solid Senator, Lord, of Rochester, moved;to strike out THE WORD “LOOK our!” one of the gambiing technicalities upon which the most fearful pen: 8 of the law were to be vis- z ited, because, said “at 18 not fair to send a man to State Prison becsuse he looks out, All of us look out, and we are not gamblers.” Chatfleld was called upon to explain the term, but declared that he did not know what it meant, and senator Tiemaan declared it meant “ e ” Then Lord wanted to know of Chatfleld w! m Aloe or Pharaoh and how that game was 4 yed, and again the Christian Senater confessed imeelt ignorant. Madden Proposed to strike out the pro’ n imposing penalties on “ENDORSING A BOOK OR ANY OTHER DOCUMENT,”’ because, as Senator Johnson sai ‘a man under this bill could not endorse 4 friend’s note,” and, on inquiry, the lucid Chatfleid was unable to say what “endorsii books” meant. The lamentable igno- rance of the author of tne bill, in regard to its simplest provisions, was the subject of general remark, and the ignorance of the Senators gen- erally was no le credible, A motion to insert a new sectio} ct that “gambling is hereby Amendments were, how- ever, made in good earnest and accepted extend- ing the provisions to “railroad cars, race courses and driving parks,” and the bill was ordered toa third reading, The only important New York bill discussed was THE BEACH PNEUMATIC RAILROAD bill for tunnelling New York, which was ordered to & third reading. Mr. Tiemann alone voted against it, pes as his reason for doing so that he had an offer of $2,000,000 for the franchise, and If it was worth go much he thought a heavy sum should be paid to the city for it. HEAVY ALLEGED FRAUD ON A NEW YORE M, Boston, Fe. 25, 1873. John ©. Loring, recently engaged in the dry goods trade in this city, was arrested to-day at the instance of H. B. Clafin & Uo., of New York, who claim to be his creditors to the amount of $30,000, which they allege was obtained by false representa- tions. The officer making the arrest had & requisi- tion from Governor Dix. Loring’s counsel ob- DIES IRE. The Corrupted Congressmen Drink- ing the Cup of Bitterness. Exciting Scene in the House of Representatives. HOAX AMES’ DEFENCE. The Speech Written by A. J. Tappleton, At- torney for the Union Pacific Railroad. TEARS, IDLE TEARS! Can That Which is Corrupt Be Corrupted? Bribed and Briber Must Fall Together. “Am I To Be Offered Up a Sacrifice to Expiate the Sins of Others?” POLAND RIDDLING BUTLER’S REPORT. Powerful Speech of Judge Mer- rick for the Prosecution. DEBATE IN EVENING SESSION. Sketches of the Principal Characters in the Drama of Credit Mobilier—Appearance and Demeanor of the Culprits—The Stage and the Audience. WASHINGTON, Feb. 25, 1873, “Judgment Day’ in Congress, as to-day was facetiously called, opened clear and bright. The cold of the day previous gave way for the cus- tomary mild warmth of a Winter's day in Wash- ington. The wind that gwept dewn the avenue at an early hour increased in intensity, so that during the middle of the forenoon great, clouds of blinding and whirling dust enveloped the long line of pedestrians moving Capitolwards, At the f early hour of ten o'clock the street cars going in the direction of the Capitol, were crowded; the sidewalks were filled with a jostling, eager throng, and the indications even to the most casual observer were that something of more than ordinary interest had called out this motley throng of men, women and children from all possible grades of society. In the Capitol by ten o’clock, the hallways adjoining the House galleries were packed, packed with an eager throng of mur- muring humanity secking to gain admission to. the galleries, The door keepers § ad- mitted no one until half-past ten, when the doors were opened, and the vast crowd Poured into the galleries, filling them to their ut- most capacity in a moment, leaving, when it was all done, quite as many more thronged all down the hallways and hanging on to the staircases as it were by their eyelids, In the House by eleven o’clock there was not a large number of members present. It would not do for these old actors on the political stage to bestow any particular interest upom the coming melodrama by appearing too early at the re- hearsal. PRAYER FOR THE CHRISTIAN STATESMEN, The Rev. J, G, Butier opened the day with a prayer especially prepared for this occasion. He made a good point, but which is seldom reduced to practice—namely, that the Lord would incline the Congressmen there assembled to do unto others ag they would be done by themseives, During the monotonous reading of the interminable journal Members began to come in, in the usual indiferent manner, as if judgment days were the most common things imagin- able. Almost every member wore a peculiarly heavy, statesmanlike air, as if te impress the pub- lic which crowded and surged in masses above them. During the reading of the journal Sam Cox Made the motion that the reading be suspended for a moment and the ladies out in the naliways be admitted to the floor of the House. Fernando Wood wanted a preference shown for members’ families. Sam Cox humerously replied that most members did prefer their families, and of course he would have no objection. This motion wasnet gain- said, and the ladies were allowed toenter. In they came; tall ladies, short ladies, fat ladies, lean ladies, fashionable ladies. All the modern types of Washington femininity entered in various stages of disorder, occasioned by their being jostled out in the chambers. With these additions the House begaa to look more like a circus than the hall of a legislative body. The vacant space in the rear of the members’ desks presented an unusual appear- ance. Instead of the lobbyist button-holing some impecunious Congressman or groups of political Idlers strolling to and fro, there were ladies, whose BRIGHT, GAILY-COLORED DRESSES AND RIBBONS Made the background of Congress look like a par- terre of fowers. The contrast between the flowers and the Congressmen was not flattering to the lat- ter. The introduction of ladies to-day on the Noor had several bad effects, In the first place it distracted the attention of many of the lignter weight states- men, and fired them withanoble ambition to do Something to distinguish themselves in the pres- ence of s0 much inspiration. But the cold prac tical management of the keen man in the chair dig- pelled at once any rose-colored visions of fame they might have conceived, and brought them down very hard to their seats, where, once subdued, they were content to remain in their usual obscurity. The presence ef the ladies, sand. wiched in between members at their seats, had another dangerous effect. It was very diMcult for some of the legisiators to bein such close prox. imity to pretty women, and at the same time follow the thread of the legal arguments that passed vro and con, on this all-important questions before the House. The light weights, under ) THE HUMANIZING INFLUENCB OF FATR WOMEN," no longer felt sanguinary. They felt forgiving, and if a vote for expulsion had been put at an early stage of the proceedings but & small minority could have been brought to bear wpon the victims, Shortly after half-past eleven “the droning of the Journal had been finished and the desks had been cleared of sundry tremendous documents from government oMciais in relation to some very im- portant topic, in which no one was expected to take the slighest interest. When the desks were finally cleared the faces of the spectators assumed ® hungry look, like that of charity children just being ushered fn front of @ Chrismas dinner. “Wo want # sensation—we are so hungry for one,” was plainly pictured upon every face. Dick Haldeman of Pennsylvania was the first man after tha routine business was out of the way Who got the tained a writ of habeas corpus, aud a hear. wil be bag beluxo vudae Vuapmay i” Speakcr’s car, Richard ugualy apitagte spegay