New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1873-01-11


o'clock this morning to continue the hearing Of counsel
In the case OF Judge Curtis. Before taking up the
Judges case several bills introduced among which
was one by Senator Benedict, relating TO the appoint
men qualhcations and duties Of the Harbor Masters
and Captain Of the Port In New-York. II is the same
bill that was before the last Legislature and emanates
from the Ship-Masters' Association Among other
things II provides that all Harbor Masters, well as
the Captain OF the Port, shall be residents Of either
New-York, Kings, or Richmond County; that they
shall be. or shall have been, shipmasters, and
shall DE able TO furnish certificate OF character and
qualifications from the ShipMasters' Association.
This, 1t VIII he perceived, is more exclusive
than tne recommendation in the Governors message
that they should all be seamen residents of the sea-
board III won't down with the rural Republican APP
picants for who of the opinion
that requires more special knowledge nautical
talent TO provide berth for ship or canaboat at
Newfork pier and receive liberal fee therefor than 1t
does 10 provide a stall for horse in farm stable The
city candidates for HarborMaster who number at the
present time little less than 1000 will doubtless feel
better disposed toward the bill, at least that portion
Of 1t which limits candidates to the three counties bor-
dering on NewYork Harbor And thus the old quarrel
between city and country oce-seekers will be revived
again. What blessed thing the spoils TO yctori
GUS party!
ITEMS FROM THE CONTROLLERS REPORT.
The report OF Controller Hopkins exhibits the fnan-
cia condition OF the State clearer light than OF
his predecessors have shown it in for many years past
and affords abundant evidence Of the prudent and
economical administration of that department under its
present head During the past year Mr.. Hopkins has
saved the State hundreds OF thousands OF dollars by his
watehfuness and by refusal pay tho thousand and
one demands upon the State Treasury before first
thoroughly investigating the grounds on which they
were based. The claimants, finding they could not get
their loose accounts audited TO suit Them have been con-
ned IN radu f,ofr fota IN
figure, and in cases have withdrawn their claims
altogether In the case the Rochester Arsenal for
instance, the prepOsterous claim Of HUM, Smith d.
Spencer for Notwithstanding TO slo9O 5O-has been
withdrawn since the Controllers report was sent IN to
the Legislature.
The Emira Refomatory is another OF the extravagant
jobs drafts for which upon the Treasury have required
close scrutiny from the Controller The report points
out the ridiculous absurdy Of the Commissioners who
are experimenting the construction OF that State insttu
ton building wall Is feet high around an Enclosure Of
acres while the Reformatory itself remains unfinished
and in fact scarcely commenced. The Reformatory Is
destined for juvenile delnquents and common sense
would seem to dictate that the building which Is to ae
eommodae the boys should DO erected before putting up
a wall % feet high to keep them from running away.
The balance due the State in the accounts with the
United States mentioned page 40 OF the Controllers
report has been paid by the Federal Government
since the report was made. This balance amounts to
500 but there other claims of the state against the
Federal Government that yetremain to be passed upon
Controller Hopkins has succeeded in ehectng an ar
rangement with the banks that keep deposits Of the
States money by which they to pay four per cent
interest the deposits hereafter, instead Of three per
cent as heretofore This viii be saving to the Treasury
OF $50 900 per annum.
The report OF the Commissioners Of Emigration,
wherein they make out claim of si5o.o0o or more.
against the state has lately been presented to the Con-
III. grI, xylfp ia nntl la ~ %
Acknowledgement Barlow signed the report and thinks
the Controller ought to sign it too but Mr. Hopkins says
he shall require evidence Of the justice OF the
claim than he yet before he gives It his sanction
THE EXECUTIVE MANSION. OLD AND NEW.
The new residence that is being fitted up for Gen. DIX
is not yet ready for occupation and the Governor sun
rents rooms at Congress Hall The mansion occupied by
Gen Hoffman during the last four years as Is generally
known was created out Of houses belonging to the
Congress Hall block which is owned by the State The
residence Selected FOR the Governor Is large
brown-stone-front house, WaShingtonaye opposite
the new Capitol building. The reasons for changing the
Governors residence said to have been that the
quarters lately occupied by GOV. Hoffman are deheleht
m light and ventilation, and liable to be demolished
before Gen. Dixs term expires, as the whole block IN
which they are situated is be down as soon as the
new CAPITOL which IS located in Its rear, is sufficiently
advanced enable the Legislature to hold sessions III
IT, Most Of The old furniture OF Gen. Honmans resi-
dence has been transferred TO the new man
zion OF Gen DIX. The State Is Obliged 70
supply its Governor with furnished residence In
addition to his salary Of $4,000 per annum and no one
can complain that those who represent the state III TINS
matter are not sufficiently economical when they make
Gov Hodmans old furniture do service for his successor
Hofimans late residence has been lifted up as an aud-
ton to Congress Hall Hotel. every room IN which
already occupied It's convenience TO the Capo makes
Il favorte for members and others having Ous
ness at the State Departments; and among the OFFICIALS
who have taken rooms there for the winter are the
Lieutenant Governor the Controller, the State Treas
urer Secretary OF State, superintendent OF Banks,
Superintendent OF Insurance, superintendent OF Pubc
Instruction. majority OF the Judges OF the court OF
Appeals large NUMBER OF the members OF the Consti-
tutional Commission nearly half OF the senators ana
good proportion OF the members Of the Assembly
Gov. Dix left the city for New-forK on the %0otrah
this afternoon.
THE NEW. UARBoR-MAsTER BILL-THE CURTIS
CASE CONSTITUTIONAL COMMISSION - UNI
VERSITY REGENTS.
GENERAL PRESS DIsPATCHl
Mr. Benedict introduced in the senate TO-DAY
bill providing for the appointment by the Governor Vi
an officer to be called Captain OF the Port of NewYork
and II officers called HarborMasters tne Term Vi
Office 10 be years. and during the term OF once tne
officers TO reside either in the counties OF New-York
Kings or Richmond The captain or masters snail DC OF
have been shpmasters, and at the time oi le appohe
mcnt shall hold certificate OF good standing IN the
shipmasters' Association Of the Port OF New'fork'
These officers shall not DO interested In any vessel Inc
Captain the Port shall give bonds In $1,000 with TWO
securities, and the Harbor-Masters eaen me
bond in 5000 The Captain OF the Port shan diViue
the port into II districts, and assign one to each
Harbor- Master, and designate the headquarters OF
each The Captain shall collect all the fees for the
service Of masters and on the first Monday in each
month make up ana verify under oath statement and
account of all moneys which have become que ior ices
and which have been collected and OF such as remain
uncolleeted Out OF the verified he shall nrst pay
his Office expenses not TO exceed $50 per month ana ms
fees for Collecting the same. He shall then dvue tue
remainder share by share alike between himself ana .he