The New York herald., 1869-03-26
THE STATE CAPITAL.

Report of the Committee ON the Gas Question
Bill Recommended to Protect Consumers
The Discussion ON the Excise Bll--Aid to
New NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. Veto from the Gov.
ern0r.
ALBANY, March 25, 1869.
The gas question is coming up In the Legislature
with some interest. The investigating committee
have completed their labors, and are prepared to
make report The report is comprised in law
for the city OF New York. somewhat stringent in its
provisions as tar as the gas companies are concern
ed, but protective OF the consumers, 1t Is most de-
sIrable 1t should be. The cases of Brooklyn and
Buffalo have not yet received the attention of
the committee. These cities win yet be taken
care OF. The bill for New York provides that
a Board Of Gas Examiners shall be appointed by
the Mayor Of the city Of New York. composed OF
three practical chemists familiar with the manufac
ture and properties Of gas, to hold office for three
years. This Board shall appoint number Of in
spectors to test the quality Of gas and make daily
examinations at certain test houses located net
nearer than 1000 yards from each gas house. The
Board shall decide upon the quality OF gas fur
nished and If an inferior article is supplied
the company cannot recover the amount Of
their bill from the consumer. Gas companies fur
nishng gas OF less purity than that prescribed by the
500 day. to be collected BY warrant Of the Board "a
and paid to the Comptroller. The right to appeal
from the decision OF The inspectors to the Board is
nlshed with copies Of the monthly report OF the clerk
The Illuminating power must be that Of sixteen can
1000 eet but the Board can reduce the price II the gas
Is not Of the proper quality. The bill abolishes the
system Of demanding deposit, and charging the
bills due by consumers in premises vacated by them
TO parties who shall afterwards occupy those pre-
mises.
The salaries Of the members OF the Board OF Gas
Examiners Is fixed at $4,000 year. The expenses
OF the central laboratory and test houses and saa-
ries shall be raised by the Supervisors and to be
3n1 fhn amin TOW
not to be mucted single dollar in the matter This
may seem stringent upon the companies, but when
to 1875 on their stock It IS not too much to ask them
to furnish such accommodations to the public as
may insure them good quality OF gas for their
money. They engage to do SO and they should be
held to their contract.
When the new Excise bill came up for discussion
last night Mr. p. Mitchell. the lntroducer, made
very forcibe speech in defence Of it. It was an
argumentative and statistical address. He quoted
the liquor business, rent, clerk hire and other ex
penses, showing that while the prices OF liquors had
Increased nearly 400 per cent 10 the dealer the retail
prices had only advanced trtfie He did not desire
to present the question in partisan way, nor did he
hope to see the House sustain his bili bur he OBJ
advocated O modified excise law. He insanced
the HERALD, an independent journal and the most
oiher papers Of strong repubIican prociy,tes Which
supported modification Of the law. He made an
eloquent appeal on behalf OF the poor working peo-
pie and mechanics who were driven to the country
districts on sunday, at great cost to their small
earnings, In order to enjoy themselves
The Railroad Aid bill granting s4 600 mile to all
after twenty miles are constructed, is
worrying its wav through labyrinth Of discussions
and amendments. The New York delegation, with
one exception, think oppose the bill; but an
amendment offered by Mr.. Denis Burns to the effect
that nothing IN the bill shall be construed to include
the city and county OF New York, would seem to
settle the question as FAR as any tax upon New York
is involved.
A very exciting discussion on the general law re-
garding the bonding OF towns took place In the
House to-day, Judge Miller, OF Seneca and Bancroft
Davis, the newly appointed Assistant Secretary Of
State, leading the wordy tournament, and Judge
Campbell. Of 0tsego taking hand In the debate,
and old Truman, Of Ioga, Illuminating his eloquence
from all quarters OF the House. except his own
seat.
The Senate had another veto to-day from the Gov
ernor on another charitable bill coming under the
rule OF special legislation, upon which point the Gov
ernor Is innexible and the lobby Is correspondlngy
indignant and disguised. The Governor Is resolved
to break up the unnecessary and corrupt system
OF introducing special bills where the objects sought
for can be reached by the general law; but at the
same time II Is not his purpose presume, to oppose
law does not provide for. That the principle by
which the Governor Is actuated Is correct and emi-
nently proper has been admitted by all parties.
When the discussion comes up upon the vetoes now
lying upon the table we shall ell the objection
that be made TO his course; but withsanding
the interest which the lobby may have in pressing
forward the immense army OF special bills IL Ia
pretty certain that the Governor will adhere to his
resolution. II his vetoes are overruled, OF course
the people Will know where the responsibility rests