The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1860-02-16
NEWS tr~oM the STATE CAPITAL.

3 -xclting Discussion ON the Pro Rata
Freight BilE-serious Charges or Bribe.
ny and Corruption-ConArma tion of APP
pointments, sc.
OUR SPECIAL ALBANY DESPATCH.
Albany, Feb. Is, 1860
The friends Of pro rata have been busy all the afternoon
endeavorpg to patch up the breach made by the storm
this morning They all came into the House as confident
a. they had not been visited with thunder and lightning
this morning. 1t is generally conceded that the only
hope pro rata is in the Investigating Committee nd
pg the letter that Mr. ttleohn said he understood hal
been written.
The discussion continued this evening. Mr.. Alken
argued favor Of applying the provisions Of the bill to
private individual companies and the canals. He could
not how the orwarders could be looked upon
any hone han the railroad men. They were just
as anxious as the railroad companies are to make
money.
Mr. Butler also argued in favor Of applying pro rata to
the oona fofwarders.
Mr. Littlejohn opposed the amendments. the competi.
ton with the carriers the canals such that you
could not apply this to them.
Mr.. Robinson thought that the concession just made
was of the strongest arguments that could be pro-
duced against the pro rata BILL He knew that compet.
ton did settle this matter but not In favor of this pro
rata scheme.
Mr.. Jacques argued at much length In favor of the
amendments II the bill must be passed, but opposed
to the bill in all its features He believed that the nhabi
tants Of the city Of New York were all opposed to the
policy Of this bill.
The amendments were then voted down, when Mr..
Mlngon, Of Herkimer, made lengthy speech in favor
Of the BILL In which he viewed the history Of the canals
and railroads Of this State He thought this contest
between the people and railroads Of the State
Mr. Hubben, Of Westchester, next spoke against the
~ .-stA
gigantic lobby concern that had ever made
It's appearance around the Legislature. He thought
the title Of the bill should be changed to GO bill to enable
the canal forwarders to raise the wind"
Notwithstanding the extra precautions by the Senator's
10 prevent any from leaking out in regard to the
Executive session. and their clearing the Of all but
the members and chief clerk and their ordering the de
rooms TO be cleared and key holes watched have OBJ
tanned their proceedings They overlooked "black
kitten" and have been able get their entire action The
first thing done Senator Connolly rising question
Of privilege upon charge made against him by Buffalo
paper for voting for republican nominees in the last
Executive session. he could not zee how they could
charge him with being in city railroad combination be.
he voted for certain nominees. He thought the
charge unjust and uncaed for. There was considerable
skrmishing on Van valkenburg, but there much
said during the last secret session. and general dis
to vote and Van valkenberg confirmed by vote
Of seventeen TO thirteen, follows-Yeas-
Abel, Bell Connolly, Terry, Fero Goss Kelly Ketcham
Lapham, McGraw Montgomery, Monroe, J. M. Murphy,
Robertson, Sessions, Warner, Williams Nays-Senators
Colvn, Gardiner, Grant, Hammond, Hhouse, Laurence
Manierre P. P. Murphy Prosser Richmond, Rotch, spi
nola, Truman
will be seen by the above vote that Senator'S Bell
Fero and Sessions have backed down. Short meals and
general party diet has brought them into Vie traces and
they have finally concluded to repent and become good
gency senator's The same democrats that voted favor
confirmation last week voted 70 day, republican
Senator's that then could swallow Van vakenburg have
found him unpalatabe TO- day, viz: Richmond and p p
Murphy.
The remaining nominee for Port Warden, Mr.. Louns-
bury was confirmed by vote Of eighteen twelve not
withstandng that gentleman has asserted that he
only gone to bed with the republicans for the purpose
kicking them out and having the bed TO himself Thew
were in session nearly four hours