New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1859-02-04
..AaI6l05S 81
Sae@,.s IS

The assessments for 1856 include those connected
with the opening of Central Park, which accounts
for the extraordinary amount for that year. The
small amount for the year following may perhaps
be accounted for on the ground that everybody was
poor-broke by the monetary crlsis-which IN
duced the assessing power to let up moInenta-
rily; but Judging by the Controllers estimate for
l-5S they have returned to their oc 'upation with
the ayidty with which Catholics betake themselves
to their amnsements after Lent.
The Assembly was engaged on general orders
to- dsy, and among the noticeable events was the
discussion on the bill amending the School laws so
as TO permit school officers in the various districts
Of the State to take by appraisal as in the case OF
highways, such ani they may require for school
houses in cases where they cannot purchase at
fair prices. Something like this had been recon
meDded By Mr. Van Dyck, the Superintendent of
Public Instruction, but the bill was attacked by yar-
Gus members One gentlemsn-l believe II was Mr.
Meeks of Long Island-said it would establish
eleven thousand and several hundreds OF little dcs
potisms in the State, which seemed To settle the
whole affair." The Assembly was clearly against
despoisms, little or big and 80 motion to strike
out the enactiDg clause prevailed.
very animated discussion took place in Com
mittee OF the Whole on the bill to remove the
cases from Richmond County to Newlork or
Kings. 1t is now within the power of the Courts,
for cause shown 20 change the venue Of case from
one county to another, after the finding of indct
ment By the Grand Jury; but it is contended
by the advocates Of this bill that owing to
the excited feelings and prejudlces Of the
Staten Islanders in favor OF arson-.not
arson in general, but az far as relates to
the Quarantine buildings-it is impossible even "
obtain indictments against the guilty parties in
Richmond County. Hence the introduction OF the
bill in question, which permits the initiative, IN
these cases i. e., the complaint and Indictment,
as well as tine final trial ~ take place in New ork
or Kings County.
The bill was yehemently opposed by Messrs.
CHRISTIE of Richmond aud TOMLINsoS Of New
York and strongly advocated by Messrs. c. S.
SPENCER MORRIS and DURyEA. The debate was
nOminally on an amendment offered BY Mr. Chris
tie, but really on the merits Of the bill tself. The
Committee reported progress and asked leave to sit
again.
In the Senate, Mr.. ELY, from the Select Com
mittee appointed at the last session to examine
INTO tae subject Of the Health Department OF the
City of New York, and report what alteration, If
auy. a necessary in the laws, made a lengthy re-
port this morning accompanied By BILL in which 1t
3 proposed TO vest the powers and duties of the
Board Of Health in the Mayor Of the city, the
President Of the Board Of Aldermen, the President
of TIE City Council, the Health Officer Of the port,
the Commissioner OF Health, and the President
OF the Board Of Supervisors. The provisions Of
the bill bey0Ld this, are essentially, as far as con-
troll over the public health is concerned, the same
"a those of the bill recently introduced into the
House, an abstract of which has been published in
THE TRIBUNE.
Mr. ELY also introduced bill 10 amend the
laws relating 10 the Marine Court 10 the City Of
New-York, providing that any single Justice before
whom a case has gone By default may reopen the
came on good cause being shown, and the same
case on hearing and decision may Dc appealed the
same as is now provided by law.
The Senate considered IN COMMITTEE OF the
Whole the bill TO extend the charter OF the hariem
Rslrosd Company for 20 years, and permit The
use Of steam above Forty second street. Ire bill
had been amended yesterday BY reducing the term
10 20 Years, but tie 80 years term Was restored
TO-DAY. and the bill was reported iavorably to tho
Senate. which BODY adjourned while a motion to
accept the report was pending.
Two bills have recently been noticed" in the
Assembly, which, if passed, Will seriously affect
the interests of the Helgate and SSndy. Hook
Pilots, for the benef: mainly Of the owners Of
steam tugs. One Of these bills permits captains
Of vessels TO act as their own pilots, or employ
such other persons az they may choose 70 pilot their
vessels through Hellgate without payment Of half
pilotage, as now provided BY law. The other act
applies essentially the same provisions IN regard to
the Sandy Hook Pilots, viz: aboishes tie provision
Of law requiring the masters Of vessels 70 employ
licensed pilots IL coming u or gong out OF the
Hsrbsr Of New-YQrL. va Sandy hv9h-Perm.ts