The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-01-23


manifest. Monarchy was there 10 the descend-
ant of the Caesars, nature In the rude chief OF
the savages, the republic in the correspond
ent Alexis has had one idyllio experience,
which will probably live longer in his memory
than any that America has given him.
Tho New York Audit BilI-A signinc..s
Vote.
The Assembly last night by the very
decisive vote Of II to Al, rejected the
bill introduced by Colonel Hawkins and
reported favorably by the Committee ON
Cities, giving to Comptroller Green the power
to audit and settle, by his sole decision. oil
salaries and claims against the city OF New
York, and adopted in its place and ordered
to a third reading the substitute offered by
MIR. Twombly. The latter bill creates Board
of Apportionment and Audit, consisting Of
four members-the Comptroller and the Pres-
dents of the Boards Of Aldermen, Public
Works and Public Parks. The Board has
power to apportion the amounts to be ex-
pended by the several departments in the
city of New York from the time Of the pass
age of the bill until the LIST Of
May next, and also to audit and
allow the several claims outstanding
against the city and county for labor, services.
materials and supplies. It is properly guarded.
The sessions of the auditing board are re-
quired to be open to the public, and claims,
except for salaries and labor, are to remain
Enacted upon for Eve days after reception, in
order to afford opportunity for remonstrances
or objections; and the Board Is prohibited
from allowing any salaries above the amount
fixed by law, or any claims for work or mate
rails above the price called for by the con-
tract.
The measure Is careful and good one, and
Is far preferable to the proposition to vest arbf-
trary power in the hands of single officer. In
one respect 1t might be amended by the
Senate. The bill, as ordered to third read
ing in the Assembly, requires that the vote Of
the Board shall be concurrent or unanimous
before an apportionment can be made or
claim paid. The legislation asked for
by the Comptroller, In regard to the auditing
of accounts and the apportionment of money
members as of immediate necessity to meet an
emergency. 1t seems injudicous, therefore.
in case Of urgency, to risk the tying up OF
Board by requiring unanimous vote before
any business can be transacted. If any MEM
Der should differ in opinion with the rest, or
desire to obstruct business, the emergency
could not be met. As the people have entire
confidence In Messrs. Cochrane, Van Mort,
Stebbins and Green, 1t would be as we'll for
the Senate to guard against such difficulty
as we have suggested, and, in view Of the
urgency of immediate action in the auditing of
accounts and the apportionment Of money, to
allow majority of the proposed new Board 10
decide on all such questions.
The vote last night takes significance from
the fact that Colonel Hawkins and bis friends
insisted on regarding it as test vote as be-
tween the Conkling and Fenton factions Of
the republican party. In measure they were
right; but it was impolitic of them to invite
the issue. Other interests have been at work
to make the combination that was 80 success
full last night 10 the Assembly entirely outside
the factional fight in the republican ranks.
There Is now but little doubt that the Alvord
men and the democrats will strike hands in
both houses for the remainder Of the session,
and the result may be curious one 80 far a.
the city of New York Is concerned. 1t Is very
certain that the charter Of the Committee
of Seventy will find but little favor
in Albany, and 1t will not be surprising If the
action of the Legislature In relation to our
municipal affairs should be confined to the
amendment of the present charter in one or
two particulars, with but little interference
with existing officers, at the present moment, at
least. The Greeley and Hank Smith repub-
licans appear to have the upper hand, and 1t
Is possible that before the close of the session
they may have secured sufficient power in
New York to insure the restoration to power
of their original organization. The Senate
has vet to be tested, and should 1t be found to
be of the same temper as the Assembly we
may safely calculate upon blockade Of all
legislation adverse to the canal and railroad
rings and probably upon an open declaration
against Presd ent Grant and Senator Conkling
from the Legislature Of the State Of New
York.
THE INTERNATIONAL AND THE SPANISH
GOVERNMENT. Spanish government,
which has professed to take an advanced
position In the liberal and democratic move
ments of the age, thought proper to issue
decree against the International Society. The
most despotic government in Europe-ao, not
even that of Russla-would have gone further.