The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1855-03-02
AFFAIRS IN ALBANY.
IMPORTANT TO GAS CONSUMERS
Interesting Debate in the Assembly.
THE AFFAIRS OF THE MANHATTAN GAS COMPANY,
NEW YORK LEGISLATURE.
Senate.


To incorporate the Merchants Flag Signal Company
Allowing parties in civil suits to bs witnesses for them
selves
The bill relative to the swords Of Gen. Worth was re-
ferred to the Finance Committee.
To prevent banks loaning money on their stock.
BILLS PASSED.
The Barnhardt claim bill was passed. Also the Panama
The Committee Of the Whole passed bills ceding the
jurisdiction of lands to the United States lighthouse
purposes; also bill to amend the act defining the
sponsbty of stockholders in banking associations and
corporations The bill was subsequently read and
passed.
GEN. WORRIES SWORDS
The bill for the Assembly to the exhibition of
the swords Of the late Major Gen Worth coming up;
Mr. ROBERTSON asked consent that the Senate consider
the bill in Committee Of the Whole at this time.
Messrs HOPKINS and YosT objected.
MOTIONS.
Mr. BISHOP of bill to facilitate the acknowledgement
OF conveyances of real estate and other instruments
MIR. srENcER, Of a bill to prevent banks from lending
money or discounting on their own stocks.
Assembly.
ALBANY, March l. 1855.
The bill authorizing special town meeting in Smith
field, Richmond county passed.
THE MANHATTAN GAS LIGHT COMPANY.
Mr.. COLEMAN that the House resolve itself into
Committee of the Whole, the bill to increase the
capital stock of the Manhattan Gas Company.
Mr.. O'KEEFE-Mr Speaker, / hope this motion win not
prevail, The bill is the most infamous that has been
brought before this Legislature.
MI. PETTY call the gentleman to order.
Mr.. O'KMFE-n saying this do not mean TO reflect
upon any of the New York members who have introduce
of vital interest to the citizens OF New Yorkhst il af
fects the very fes blood Of their prosperity and should
not be acted upon in indecent haste.
The SpEAKER-The gentleman from New York is out of
order the motion Is not debateabe.
Mr.. 0'KfnE-Then move to lay the motion on the
table.
Lost.
Mr. O'KEEFE-I ask, Mr. Speaker, If the motion OF
my colleague mr. Coleman) is in order at this time 1t
tsb II
persede other bills Of much Importance the inter-
ests OF giant corporation make that point OF or ier
The SPEAKER-Ite point of order Is not well taken.
Mr. CoIEMAS-Mr. Speaker, as made the motion to
go Committee of the Whole this bull, suppose
The bill is necessary the safety and of
large number OF citizens in an part Of the city,
The municipal government has requested the Manhattan
Gas Light Company to lay down their pipes in the up
per part of the city, in In order to enable
them to 90 soit is necessary that this bill should be
passed. The light is needed much by private ndvi
duals for their convenience AID comfort by the
city authorities for the proper protection OF the public
and for the efficient carrying out of the munich pal
atcns II is for these that move TO take up
the bill now IN Committee Of the Whole.
Mr. O'KFEFT-I want the House to know, Mr. Speaker.
that this bill is taken up now it takes precedence OF
other and important bills which have been report
ed for weeks; while this has been reported but
week. Why sir should the interests OF rich monopoly
be suffered 10 super sede-
Nj. BlATcnroKD-I cali the gentleman to order. The
motion is not debateabe, and ii he makes a speech
shall claim the privilege 10 reply.
MIR OkEkFE-Well, Mr.. Speaker, will take my seat,
although should like to make fss Remarks even
must drst however, move to indefinitely postpone the
subject.
Lost -
The motion to go into Committee of the Whole was
then carried and after the reading of the BILL Mr. Baker,
of Montgomery in the chair,
Mr. MAouIRF moved TO amend by ducing the price to
be charged tor to two collars thousand cubic feet
Mr. BLaTcHFoRD hoped the motion would not prevail
The could not now be furnished at two dollars and
the amendment would virtually Kill the bill. II the
interest Of the company to furnish their gas at Iowa
price possible. They had always evinced disposition
to do So and would not attempt to keep up the
rates beyoLd a fair and equitable profit.
kr. NATfRnuRr.I hope sir, the amendment will pre-
are now selling at 1t is huge monopoly, and under
the snug little arrangement now proposed the company
will realize $500 900. The gas company, it is well
known, subject the persons who their gas, any
rules they choose to lay down. and the should be
protected against imposition as possible hope
the motion to reduce the price will prevail.
Mr.. HAGuIRE stated that he had had conversation
with the President Of the Company, who expressed
desire 10 furnish the public with gas at cheap price
as possible. He (Mr thought 1t could be furnished
at 80 per thousand eet He contended that the resi-
dents OF New York pay one hundred per cent more for
Mr. Cocks moved to amend the amendment by adding
fifty cents-making the price So 90
MIR. A. G. MuLIAMs.-I hope the motion will not pre-.
vail. The sole OBJECT OF the bill is TO enable the
pany to furnish the upper part of the city with gas The
company, OF their free WILL have areaGy reduced
the price from 81 so to So They never raised the
price although the Of all articles used in the manu-
facture gas has greatly increased The company WILL
have full confidence reduce the price still lower, as
the reduction is practicable The object OF the
company TO be enabled to extend their pipes through
the upper part OF the city, whore they needed for
the comfort of the inhabitants, well as for this mnni
cpal regulations Of the city He hoped neither amend
Mr.. WATERBURY said the object was to shut out the
formation of any other company This company had al
ways been huge monopoly and wished 10 continue
The bill would he repeated put 600 in the pockets
Of the company.
MI ArTKnN said that every person knows gas can be
made for fifty cents per thousand cubic feet Bat il
furnished under the price at which II is supplied
the company Their charges will always be as low as
possible for II is to their interest TO reduce the
order to extend their business, and compete with the
other means Of lighting houses, now in use
Mr. WAGER opposed the bill altogether, but II il TO
pats he should favor the amendment, putting the price
Of gas at 81.
be correctly understood. The Manhattan Gas Light Co.
could furnish gas from their holder at 81 %, and
would be glad to do But IL must be borne in mind
that they have 20 miles OF pipe and the leakage in tina
distance increa ses the cost They now furnish
the corporation lights at 81 10.
Mr. ENANs was opposed to the bin because he cons
dered IL a monopoly, and had faith in the hberaty
CT promises OF corporations.
Mr. WATERBURY, said, the question as to whether the
by the fact that the shares OF the company selling
now in Wall street, at $780, Shares did not fetch in
these days such price, unless the business
ally profitable he should like to hear reply TO the
charge that the company make out bills for tn It has
been consumed, and then deprive citizen Of gn
the moment he objects TO the imposition
Mr.. A. G.. WILLIAMS argued TO show that the Gas
Company monopoly and that IL had been Of in
finite benefit TO the public He also showed that the
bill could not create monopoly now, IL remained
with the Common Council Of the city to say whether
other companies might lay down pipes along the
streets II necessary for the safety OF the public Of
the upper part Of the city that the streets should be
lighted by gas and only by the passage Of this bill could
that be DONE
After further remarks from several members
Mr. WAGER said that for the purpose OF introducing
resolution calling upon the company to furnish,
roath, statement as TO the capital OF the associs
l, the price they charge for gas their receipts, er
ses, &c; he would nov nave that when the commit.
ise Il report progress on this bill.
.mot.on was carried By ayes SO, noes 20
SAM AT 1un NATURALIZATION LAWS.
PYr1Y intro iuccd the following bill to define
,ulate the naturalization powers OF the courts Of
te.-
No court Of this state, except the Supreme
all take cogniyanee Of the petition Of any alien
ensturahged asa citizen Of the United States