1903 Canal Proposition Called Stupendous Humbug

Senator George R. Malby

 

 

Cortland Evening Standard, Wednesday, April 22, 1903.

STUPENDOUS HUMBUG.
 

Malby Speaks Thus of Hill's Two Resolutions.

TO PR0VIDE FOR CANAL DEBT

All the Negative Votes on Both Propositions Were by Republicans.
Lively Debate on Extension of Bonds From 18 to 50 Years—Vote In Detail.

   Albany, April 22.—The miniature of the original canal debate occurred in the senate on Senator Hill's two concurrent resolutions to amend the constitution so as, first, to permit the payment of the canal debt from any surplus in the treasury and, second, to extend the time limit of canal bond from 18 to 50 years.

   The vote on the first resolution was 29 to 11. All the negative votes of both propositions were Republican.

   It was on the 50-year bond proposition that the debate grew lively. Senator Malby did not mince his words:

 

   "This is a measure," said he, "to notify this generation that it will not be required to pay for all the crimes it commits, but that some of them will pass on to innocent posterity, as inheritance from their forefathers. This allows the matter to go before the people a little less bald, a little less like public robbery, but it is still stupendous humbug." [bold type added by CC editor.]

   The vote in detail:

   Ayes—Senator Barnes, Burton, Cullen, Davis, Dooling, Dowling, Elsberg, Fitzgerald, Foley, Frawley, Grady, Green, Hawkins, Hill, Keenan, Marshall, Martin, McCabe, McCarren, Plunkitt, Prime, Ramsperger, Riordan, Russell, Townsend, Wagner, Warnick, Whitlock-28.

   Noes—Senators Alids, Ambier, Armstrong, E. R. Brown, W. L. Brown, Lefevre, Lewis, Malby, McEwan, Raines, Sherwood, Stevens, Stewart-13.

   The amendments, if passed by the assembly and by the next legislature will be submitted to the people in 1904.

Reference:
George R. Malby--wikipedia