New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1869-02-17
Albany.


GENERAL ORDER DAY IN BOTH HOUsEs--A GEN
ERAL LAW ON THE TOWN BONDING CUES
TION-A BILL TO PREVENT BRIBERY AND
CORRUPTIoN-A BROADWAY SURFACE ROAD.
ALBANY, Feb. 16.--This was general order day IN
both Houses, and many bills, mostly Of interest to
certain villages throughout the State were disposed
of. Another town bonding bill was taken up in the
Assembly, but it seems that the Assembly is not as
anxious as the Railroad Committee to rush through
this species of legislation In order to get over the
trouble of having 80 many of these special laws the
statute books Judge Campbell of the Assembly Rail
road Committee has reported general law on the sub
ject which his Committee had agreed to. 1t provides
that whenever majority of taxpayers Of any town,
village. city, representing majority OF the tax
able property therein, shall petition the County
Judge TO appoint Commissioners, who will have the
power 10 bond their respective places for sum not
to exceed so per cent Of the assessed value of the tax
able property. for the purpose OF aiding in the con-
struction of railroads, whenever the County Judge
is satisfied that the parties represent majority Of
the taxable property Of the village, town. city to
be bonded, he shall grant the petition.
The Assembly Committee Of Ways and Means have
reported favorably on Mr.. Chases bill, printed In
THE TRIBUNE on Monday week. which gives a. 900 a
mile to all projected or partially filed railroads The
bill authorizes that something like 81 10000 shall be
raised this year, and the same amount next year. for
this purpose. II this is not sufficient TO give
the roads 1900 mile each, il shall BIO divided pro
rata among tho roads applying for it, II the Re-
publicans are wise they will defeat this bill in the
first Committee of the Whole in which ii is.
Senator Hale's bill TO punish bribery and corrnp-
ton is broader than most bills generally arc and it
is framed on the principle grated into tho excellent
article on the same subject in the Constitution.
II passed. it will remove from Albany most of tho
corruption which has been rife here. II provides
that any person holding office under the laws OF this
State who, except in payment OF his legal salary
fees or perquises receives or consents to receive
directly or indirectly, anything of value or Of per-
sonal advantage the promise thereof, for perform
ing or emitting to perform any official act, or with
the express or implied understanding that his official
action or omission to act is TO be in any degree nu
enced thereby shall be found guilty Of felony, and
on conviction shall be punished by imprisonment in
a State Prison for term not exceeding five years. or
by fine not exceeding 5000 or both. in the dis
erection of the Court No person who has heretofore
paid or offered, or shall hereafter pay or offer
brbo which has been or shall have been accepted In
whole in part, shall be liable to criminal prosecn-
ton therefor; but any person who shall attempt TO
bride any person, and said bride is not accepted,
shall be deemed guilty Of felony And any person
who shall offer or promise bride, shall pay 10 or
deposit with OF cause 70 be paid to or deposited WITH
any person or corporation, any money, bonds, or
other securities OF other valuable thing. with the
intent or upon the understanding that such money
bonds or securities OF other valuable thing shall in
any way be used bride any person or persons hold
ing office in this State to induce such person or
persons to perform or omit TO perform any
official act, and any person who shall
receive or cOnnIve at or consent To
such payment or deposit with like intent shall be
deemed guilty of an attempt to bride Proof OF the
payment of money to or for the nse OF any person
engaged OF accustomed to be employed in lobbying,
or attempting TO influence legislation by personal
attendance upon the Legislature. except where such
payment il shown to have been actually and IN good
faith made for some lawful purpose, aud without
intent directly or indirectly TO violate the provisions
of this act, shall DO presumptve evidence of.ethe
commission Of bribery. Any person charged with
the receiving or Offering bride, or with the com
mission of any fact mentioned in this act, snail he
allowed to testify in his own behalf in any
criminal prosecution. Any officer or agent,
or director of any corporation who shall
in any manner, directly or indirectly.
nse the money or the property of any corporation Tor
bribery. or shall knowingly assent to or approve OF
such use, or knowingly audit any account Tor such
nuruose. shall be liable to any stockholder OF such
corporation in civil action for tho amount. Which
shall bear the same proportion to the whole amount
tins used as the amount of stock held by such
stakeholder bears to the whole amount OF stock OF
such corporation. Such action shall be brought LOT
the benefit of both the plaintiff therein ana also ior
that of all stockholders who may within at least zen
days file petition asking to DO parties to the snit.
The liability of such officers. agents. or directors
shall be Joint and several. The word stockhoider
shall mean any person who holds stock at the time OF
the act complained Of
The Canal Committee Of the Assembly seem deter
mined TO revive tho system of superintendent on
the canals of this State. They have reported FAVOR
ably on bill which authorizes each Canai Coinmis
soner TO appoint annually three superintendent Tor
tho Division over which he has jurisdiction. Inc
Commissioner shall assign to the care OF each super
intendent appointed by him specified portion Oh
the canals within his Division and shall notify the
Auditor of the Canal Department OF his actioh Inc
salary for such Superintendent shall not exceed
5000; and such officer shall not be engaged IN
any other business or occupation Oh interested
directly or indirectly in any boats navigating
| the Canals, or in any contract Inc
duties Of tho Superintendent snail re'a'e
strictly to the repairs Of the Canals and TIE mamie