The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-02-06
THE STATE CAPITAL.

Debate ON the Governors Message-A Lively
Passage Of Words-Reporr Of the Pilot Com
missi0ners Presented-Useful Information
from Jay Gould ON the Erie Road-BrisL
Assault ON John A. Kennedy by the Demo.
crnts-AnOfher Broadway Railroad.
ALBANY, Feb. 6, 1869.
The discussion last night on the Governors
message at special session Of the House
was participated In by Messrs Herman, La
Bau and Jacobs Mr.. d. Bowens occupied the
chair Mr.. Herman opened the debate on the
democratic side In q very brilliant speech.
he said that he had entered into the argument
merely for the purpose OF elicitIng some opinion
from the dominant party in the House, and believed
that any agitation Of the subject was calculated to
do no good The message itself he characterized as
commentators would not go unheeded. After re-
ferrng In general terms to the policy of other gov
ernments In the management OF their CHER
Cities instanclng, among Others, . the four
OF the State OF New York. tired OF the fanatlcsm
and intolerance OF the dominant party, have spoken
out boldly In condemnation OF its principles and are
determined TO shake OF the incubus OF its usurpa-
tions." He then spoke. of the various commissions
by which the citizens OF the metropolis are OPP
pressed. He said that while the people or his city
compelled to pay fifteen million dollars for the
support OF these commissions they have no
voice in their control or management. He gave
some valuable statistics to show that the com-
missions are a great burden upon the taxpayers,
and said, ..Ninety thousand voters, through their
representatives on the floor OF this House, call for
the repeal OF these commissions. The Mayor and
Commonalty OF New York demand the repeal. The
taxpayers and mechanics and artisans Of that great
city call for the repeal The Governor Of the State
OF New York recommended the repeal and If not
granted now the time is not far distant when all the
people OF the State will pronounce In favor OF the
repeal Of those obnoxious enactments." After re-
ferrng to the immense State and other taxes which
the people Of the city pay, he closed by asserting
that III the metrCDOlia free local uriSuiC-
ton it would soon become the first city in the world
ana "reiect in some degree the unexampled great
ness OF our common country"
Mr.. La Bau, OF Warren after considerable pause
in the debate followed in defence Of the commission
the Metropolitan Police and Fire Departments as at
present conducted. He was repeatedly catechised
by Mr.. Jacobs, OF Kings; but Mr.. La Bau, being o
good-natured and arable gentleman. took the In
Lerruptlons IN good part and answered back with
many witty repartees, which kept the House In good
humor until ten O'Clock when the discussion was
adjourned till Thursday evening next.
The Pilot Commissioners responded to-day to the
resolution demanding an account Of their steward
addressed to Speaker Younglove. 1t was simple
and respectful document. The Commissioners state
comparStyey little comnensation that tSer dn Mi
In that time have been repeatedly increased by addi-
tional legislation. The returns now made extended
over fifteen years and five months-from August,
1865 to February 1862 The receipts in that period
were sos, $50 ana the expenditures $100,970 The
amount now remaining on hand Is s15,s4o.
last night and gave some Information relative to the
affairs OF the Erie road which will not surprise any
one. He justified the exrta Issue Of stock as being
done under the general law, which he pronounced q
most excellent law. He stated that every dollar Of
the money acquired by the issue Of stock devoted
to the benefits Of the road, as the law provides. On
being asked what the result Of the repeal OF that
law would be he replied that the result would
be most perniclous to the public good; that with
out the protection Of the law the road would be In
the hands Of Vanderbilt In year, and this he re-
garded as public misfortune. The only safety for
the people was to keep separate such lines as the
Erie, New York Central and Pennsylvania Central
railroads. TO unite them would be 10 construct a
gigantic and dangerous monopoly. The committee
were probably satisfied with Mr.. Gould's informa-
ton as fair representation from an Erie Railroad
standpoint
bill tor the construction OF an elevated railroad
In broadway. commencing at the Battery, to be
called the Empire City Railroad, was introduced In
both Senate and House to-day. Senator Cauldwell
was the father Of It In the former house; Mr. Rich
mond IN the latter. The debate on the bill appoint
ing four tpolice commissioners for syracuse pro-
duced a terrible onslaught on Superintendent Ken
nedy from Hitchman and Mitchell. The former
denounced him as an anomaly In our system, q
Cyrant invested with power. He proposed an amend
ment to the Syracuse bill, that the Mayor should
nave q casting voice IN the board. The democrats
agreed tnat with this amendment and the word New
York substituted for Syracuse the bill would exactly
suit the metropolis.