The New York herald., 1871-03-17
s A Move Against the City Gas
Corporations.
THE POLICE REFORM BILL.
MILITIAMEN I'M THEIR GLORY.
The New Tax Levy Bill in the
Senate.
The Broadway Pneumatic Tube Bill Creating
Breeze In the House.

ALBANY, March 10, 1871.
The gas companies VIII doubtless feel very much
hurt about bill introduced to-day by Mr.. Genet,
which. II IL ever becomes law, may have the effect
OF correcting very many abuses which the COM
panies now profit by TO an extent OF which con-
sumers OF late years have had most bitter expe-
rience, jndging from the letters and petitions rela
tive TO the abuses when have been sent up here
this year. There are those who will decry the bill
because IL places an immense power in the hands
OF she "Bossn who will have the appointing OF the
chief ocers OF the department proposed TO be estab
lshed and the ground that the city is to be sad
died with additional expense to be wrung from the
taxpayers. However, opinions will certainly differ
very widely the real merits OF the BILL but may
be that gas consumers may ind out that the tax to
support the department would not IN the long run
be SO hard 10 bear as the alleged swindles OF the
companies in the matter OF overcharges 1t should
be borne in mind that the Legislature years past
has been cudgeling its brains to come to sat
isfactory conclusion on tins very gas subject, so
troublesome 10 New York, and that the powerful
tnnuence OF the companies made golden in some
cases IN costly way have over and again
made every renewed effort In and OF consumers come
20 naught Without venturing any opinion as to
what fate the bill win meet with, whether it wil
instead OF being
A BENEFIT TO THE METROPOLIS,
u
men already possessing much more than the share
OF ordinary mortas, viii content myself with Civ.
Ing the main features OF the bill. The department
TO be established is to be known by the name OF the
Department OF Gas.n The superintendent is to be
appointed for term OF five years, at salary not ex-
ceedIng $1,000 per annum. He is to have the ap-
pointment OF an inspector for each Senatorial dis
trct OF the city and county, and many deputy IN
epectors, clerks and subordinates as may be ap-
proved by the Commissioners, who Is to Tx all the
salaries The superintendent will be obliged to
Keep record oi all gas passing through each meter
and
CHANGE THE METERS
when necessary. Consumers are given the right
10 demand an inspection OF their meters and have
them changed at the expense Of the company which
supplies them with gas II they proved to be de-
10 be paid to the superintendent, whose receipt
must be considered a discharge from all Indebted
be removed or gas cut on without the approval in
writing Is obtained OF the Superintendent, VINO is
required TO deposit the moneys received daily with
Ine Guy Chamberlain The lund thus accumulated
Is 10 be known as the gas fund.n The Superintend-
entis TO keep an account OF the amount collected
lor each gas corporation, which the Comptroller
must pay over on warrants countersigned by the
superintendent and the Mayor. The salaries Of all
the gas officials, except that OF the superintendent
are to be paid out of the gas fund.- No increase IN
present rates OF gas VIII be allowed except by
LIST of June, 1871.
THE NEW YORK POLICE BILL
wnicb gives me commissioners the power, by
unanimous VOTE TO retire INTO tue obscurty of pri.
vate life any captain sergeant they NAV see ft
without beforehand giving him trial to show cause
excellent sort OF fellow TO CLUB MS fellow citizens
and rule ward to suit his own particular notions
oI dlsclpne and profit has been passed IN the lower
mouse. There was not solitary vote against IT,
the measure viii be law by Friday afternoon next,
as tne Governor VIII have signed it by that time ii
H0 not sssR 3ysF s m Sn af
missing a capt in or a sergeant advised by the
commissioners for twolold purpose. One was. as
stated at the time, TO set rid OF The drlltUooG or
the department tnat is now
FLOATING ABOUT
30 tnickly in some paris or the city az to inter ere
seriously with the good working OF The police ma
chinery. The other is, TO use the language OF one
OF the strongest friends OF The b for the 'protec-
ionp OF eaca commissioners; in other words, 10
prevent three Commissioners, IN the absence or the
fourth, cutting OF the head OF captain or SER
geant who may be.
PARTICULAR FRIEND
OF the latter THIS KIND of thing was done once or
twice few years ago; so you see the good commis.
care 10 look out for their own little affairs at the
same time. snap judgments are not the rule, fortu-
Officers Of the force need have nothing to fear II
the Board should take notion occasionally here.
energy IN certain precincts where stupidity and in.
eItLess now reign supreme.
THE HOME GUARDS.
The militia have been pretty wei attended to
curing the past day 0r two 10y both houses To-day
the act was passed eXenptIng every who ell
LISTED accepted ocen any time from April 1854
TO April 20 1855 ana WHO was honorably discharged
after serving for seven years. from jury duty, the
payment OF highway taxes ten days IN every year
and emitting him to deduction in the assessment
OF his real and personal property 10 the amount
Of $500 IN each year 50 long as he remains citizen
nons q Mr: rlaae, d tTos, The Vote BY which it
was killed was reconsidered today and II was run
through by vote OF IS to &c. 1t is said that this
VICTORY For THE MILIiIA BOYS
was only won after hard work by large number OF
contended that II the act were not passed there
would be disaffecton in the ranks. 1t will be re.
membered that the law OF 1866, rather the mill
,ary code OF last year, did away with these exemp-
uons 1or all time 70 come. The father OF the pre-
SCI sent bill considered it but just that the men who
had been led TO enlist before 1865, when the pro-
mise OF the exemptions was legal attraction 20
carry nusket IN peaceful way, should be dealt
claim that the withdrawal Of this attraction Tor the
future has done much to tnjure the militia OF the
taken good deal OF the dress parade, soger hey
ambition out OF the young men upon whom the
many influential ofcers to have the old system con.
nnued have proved, however, unayaing. The
other militia bill passed is one which great many
oi the home guards who air themselves every once
IN while In
SNOWY UNIFORMS AND GOLD LACE
and nre on blank cartridges on parade grounds to
amuse the general public who love nothing that
smells OF actual war, Will be highly delighted with
Just think of IL 1t gives the Governor the authority
TO issue breves to the oiicers somewhat after the
fashion OF the regular army. The idea is q ridicu-
,oas one ior me militia and the Governor should
han our cities with colonels and captains that never
saS q battle or Q skirmlsh except In barroem
senator Bradley introduced u bill which is In
aenotu 10 materially aid the authorities In
TIE COLLECTION OF ASSESSMENTS
and Croton water rents. Ii provides for notices to
be given ln SIX OF the daily papers to persons who
have not paid taxes TO do so before LIST January of
each year: laillng the Receiver can collect twelve
per cent; Il not paid, TO levy upon the goods and
chattes oi the deiaulter wherever found. When
due three years. or Croton four years
the Clerk OF Arrears may advertise the lands OF tne
ue1auter Tor sale, and II the claim not sat SIZED
10 sell The property FOR term OF years. anu the pur
chaser shall receive q lease therefor. After the
clafs OF the city nave been satisfied the property so
sold under lease reverts TO the original owner.
STR ET IMPROVEMENTS.
Mr.. FREAR Introduced an act 10 regulate assess
nents N the opening OF the streets and avenues in
me city of New York
SECTION In all proceedings for the opening widening
attending raighteniDe of and public
OF New York the
appointed by the Supreme Court authorized