New York's Legislature Under the Microscope

In these days of widespread dissatisfaction with legislative bodies, we are being presented with numerous studies on legislative improvement. One of the most interesting has recently been made by a special grand jury which investigated the New York state legislature. Although the final presentment praises the “general efficiency” and “rectitude” of the legislature and concludes with the statement that “the general picture … is of earnest men diligently engaged upon a public task in an earnest manner,” specific findings reveal serious laxities in the conduct of the state's legislative affairs. No doubt similar laxities may be found in most other states.There are always rumors and whisperings as to evil goings-on in our legislative halls. The New York special grand jury did a real service in finding out their truth or falsity. It is of interest that neither the legislature nor the governor would, on their own volition, have considered such an investigation. We owe it to the fortuitous circumstance that Republican Governor Dewey and the Democratic political machine of Albany county did not like each other.