The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1865-02-09
THE STATE CAPITAL.
The New York Fire Department Again
Under Rcvicw-Thc Tax Once Bnl-'rhe
Hudson River Railroad Extortion, Sc.
OUR ALBANY CORRESPONDENTS.

Under Rcvicw-Thc Tax Once Bi1l-Th.
Hudson River Railroad Extortion, &c.
OUR ALBANY CORRESPONDENTS.
Albany, Feb. SO 30 r. M
DEPARTMENT.
The discussion OF the Fire Dcpartm mt question was
resumed before the Committee Cit In the Senate
this afternoon Tho hrcmen having concluded app ar
on their behalf did present their through
counsel Chief Engineer Decker President Patt with
Fire Commissioner Bonnet James Hays foreman Of En-.
gins No. and President Of the Board OF Councilmen
and William Hickman, OF the Board Of Trustees OF the
Fire Department. appear delegation Of the depart
ment
The chief defence has fallen upon Mr. Hickman
which he has discharged with equal zeal and ability
Mr. Hickman answered the remarks of Mr. Acton as to
the general good order and behavior Of the nrcmen lie
denied that they had been implicated in the draft
riots and recited illustrations OF their bravery and ell
cheney in tho cause Of order and the prot ction
Of property showing that the rcmcn had successfully
opposed the riots when the police had been driven from
the streets He denied in detail that the charged
against tho Fire Department tho acts OF frcmen
He illustrated the popular sentiment OF favor In which
they held by illusions TO their part in the Sanitary
Fair and the proceeds upwards OF thiry.two thousand
dollars He spoke OF the regiments Of Fire Zouavcs
and the part which the remen had taken individually in
the war As trustee Of the CHARITABLE fund OF the Fire
Department he made most telling appeal for the pro-
lection Of that charity against the operation OF the pro-
posed bill
brief reply by Mr. Sansbuy the part Of the insurance
interest," with regard 10 the undobtcd protection and pcr
petuation Of the rcmen charitable fund the closing arg
men by D. Eaton counsel for the Citizens Association
was commenced He spoke ia high terms Of the fire.
mon as body, and dsciamed altogether any personal
or individual motives for himself or hts associates.
They opposed system, not the individuals identified
with s organization His argument was directed to the
dent iencios OF the New York Department in a me.
urc mot Coun tn
the steam machines Of the other cities used by paid de-
partments The bell ringing system was continued,
clumsy and costly method The nre alarm telegraph
used In other cities would accomplish with silence and
good order what tho bell ringers with their ex-
tensivo payroll did with disorder and inefflciency
The proposed bill undertook 20 conrenrne power and
give executive independence to the board TO be created
sbolishing the electie system, with the cumbersome
and complicated machinery OF the existing organizations
BY this means discipline wo,ld be obtained well as
economy without any loss In efficiency for the best
members Of the present companies could be retained un
der paid system. He spoke Of petition OF the hotel
keepers and steamboat favor OF the present sys
tenn and hoped il had no, been obtained by coercion s
submitted, Onset the demands Of the insurance
interests, the banks and the most important property
ownars and citizens Of New York
very large body OF citizens from New York were In
attendance the Senate chamber being crowded. The
their cause Nearly all have returned New York, no
further hearing having been provided for on the ad-
journment Of the committee 10 night
lively discussion took place before the House Com
mec Of Ways aud Means this afternoon tho Tax once
bill Henry H. Anderson and Judge Allen appeared for
the old board, and Waldo Hutcbens for the bill petit
ton Of taxpayers, demonstrating sgairst the constant
changes In the department by legislation, was presented
by Mr.. Anderson He Offered TO submit tho subject 70
the general Of rcorme for New York. BY creating
metropolitan tax commission, but declared the pro-
posed bill outrage and absurdy In ts ridiculous con-
ssruction. Judge Allen showed that Judge DEMO had
adjourned the hearing Of the litigation the subject
nov entitled 10 precedence o. proudces 70
public interest
HUDSON arvH. RAILROAD ErroRroN.
Appncauon has been made " the Attorney General for
0& eoffanto 10 allow why The clarter OF The