New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1855-01-25
NETWORK LEGISLATURE.
SENATE. Wednesday, Jan. %, 1885.

NETWORK COMMON COUNCIL COMMITTEES.
Mr. BROOKS on the part of the New.fork Sens
torial Committee reported fay0raby on tue bill aa-
thorizing Committees OF the CITY Councu ID taho
testimony in certain cases
NAVIGATION or THE HUDSON RIVER.
Mr.. PRATT, from the Committee on Commerce
who we're instructed 10 examine the subject OF tho
improv ement of the Hudson-submitted written re-
port this morning. which sets forth that the action OF
the freshes and tides upon the NOV able sand bottom.
aid the ice dams in the winter are the principal causes
of the distractions; and, from these causes sho,s
and bars exist which upon extreme low water, viii
afford not over four feet Of water In the year lIU
the State made an appropriation TO improve tne
channel OF the river, and continued making appro-
priltions-in the aggregate amounting TO sloo oCo-
at different periods until 1891. At this time Con.
eress took charge Of tho matter and appropriated
$40 900 for the improvement OF the nayig atom, aud
the result WAS, that, in lsi3 there was depth 81
wnt.r Of eight 20 twelve feet the shoals, which
before afforded depth Of ouly foar to six feet Bat.
in couseauence of tho discontnuance Of tue 6ppro-
priatioBs, 10 1852 many Of the old bars had AGAIN
formed and new ones becsme established, alnost as
troublesome as any which had previously existed;
From ls4J To 1872, the Ctee Of Albany aud Troy
made appropfations Of several thousands of dollars,
and the State Of $40 00O which expenditures were VI
great temporary benefit
la 1859 Congress made another appropriation OF
$50 OOO s3 Of which has been expended in dredg.
ng and deepening the bars. and balance OF $1,000
now remains 10 be applied the co ming seSon, when
will il is believed afford temporary romedy, but
durable ard eecual Improvement. IL is supposed IL
will require from 500 900 TO 500 900 To institute the
necessary system of dredging, dykiDg, and repairing
existing structures. The Committee think the loss
casioned by delays 10 vessels, &c will gbundantly
Justify such expenditure Toe report holds that
the Improvement of the river Justly devolyes on ths
General Government, because Il is tidal river, the
great highway between the Western States, Canads,
ard the seabOard Yet in view Of the gloomy pros.
pect of obtaining appropriation from Congress- the
Con mttee would have been glad to have asked thi.
Legislature for an appropriation, but the condition Of
tho State fDan will not justify this, and conse-
quently they feel unwilling 10 recommend action BY
this Legislature in the premises.
In conclusion, the Committee recommend the adop
ton OF resolution instructing QUE Representatives
and requesting our Senator's In Congress 10 use their
beet efforts TO secure the passage Of law authorizing
the General Government 10 appropriate SUN sulc-
ent TO permanently all distractions to the fee
aygati0n Of the river.
ORPHANS AND WIDOWS FUND.
Mr. SPENCER noticed q bill which Is 10 incorporate
Rev. Horato Potter-the newly elected Bishop -snd
hi. associates Trustees Of the widows and Orphans
Fond Of the Protestant Episcopal Church.
Nr. BROOKS gave notice Of bill 10 vest 10 tbs
Mayor, Aldermen and Commonalty Of New York
City the right OF the people Of this state 10 certain
lands under water between Pier No. 20 ana Washing
ton Market, on the North River.
Also, of bill TO incorporate the Joint Stock Nay-
CATION Company of New York City.
DEyisEs FOR RELIGIOUS PURPosEs.
On motion Of Mr. PUTNAM Tuesday next was ses
aside for the consideration Of the Act relative to De-
yises for religious purposes.
EXECUTVz SESSION..
Atl9 o'clock. the Senate went into Exec ltiye Sss-
zion. II IL said that appointments were received
from the Governor but OF SOtares Puolic, and that
most Of the N0tsres named last week we're confirmed
THE LATE COMMISSIONERS OF THE LAND oTFicE
Mr. u CLARK moved that the Select Counties
which constituted a. the last session 70 inquire
into the alleged frauds by officials upon the School,
Fund by selling to their political friends the lands
se apart for the benefit OF that fund az prices far D
ow their tue valuation, be requested 10 report 70
he Senate az soon a. practicable the result Of heu
inyestig atoms.
Mr. DICKINSON-Chairma Of that Comnittse-
sad that the Con mttee had no report to make, add
or the best of ressoDs-that the power necessary~
towed on the Committee. Had they had powefp
compel the attendance Of witnesses, the Senator iron
the XVIII would not call for report in vain Bot %
sane man would for moment expect any ono ~ c0ns
forward and convict himself OF fraud volunt-rny.
Yet If the necessary witnesses In this matter were
come before the Committee at al, this IL the wsy
they would have 10 come. The Committee could n1
compel them, and, consequently, there "a no repoH~
make.
MI z. CLARK said that this Committee hsd bses
appointed At the instigsion a the Senator from Iee
XVIII, Mr.. Dickinson,l WAC had charged th.i u
lands belonging 20 the School Fund had bsen stosn
whethsr they had been tax sn away net. be dd ao
say. Bat that Senator had charged that the Scns"
Fund had been robbed, and by she Democratic Ply.
At his request Comm ktee wa named 70 InvSuss
the matter, and the Senator ftom the X1Vln "a.
placed at its head Certainly, then, this Seos CO.
Q right TO expect repcrt--the people OF Ine ysSs
had right to look to this body for 40 scooae "a
affair and, pefAspa most Of all, those cnafsv IN
the robbery" to use the Senator's own wofo,
right to exp<ct an investigation, that an oppcs.;
might be Afforded them Of clearing their fspe..1
| from .hs stIems cost upon them BY the Senes'f'