New-York tribune., 1873-03-06
ALBANY.
THE WORK OF LAW MAKING.

THE POLICE JUSTICE BILL REPORTED-RAlL-
ROAD QUEsTIONS-THE UsURY LAWS
Luther CALDwELL's CASE.
lFRoM THB REGULAR CORRESPONDENT OF THE rRlBUSBl
ALBANY. March 5.-Mr Prince, Chairman of
the judiciary Committee. this morning reported the bill
for reorgapizng the Police Justices Courts OF the City
of New-York strong pressure was brought to bear
by the Republican party leaders TO induce the Commit
tee to report the bill as TO give the appointment OF
the new Police Justices TO the Board Of Aldermen but
was unsuccessful and the bill was reported precisely as
II vas introduced, with the appointing power in the
hands Of the Mayor, subject TO the CONTINUATION oi 'e
Justices Of the Superior Court.
Third reading OF bills the order Of business in the
Assembly this morning and the proceedings were de-
void OF interest with the exception OF sharp discusen
on bill originally introduced by Mr. Hustled providing
for putting up iron sgn-boards at railroad crossings in
place OF the board signs in general use As the bill
reached its order third readngs, Mr Hustled offered
an amendment 10 it providing that railroad companies
ont of this State leasing roads in the state shouIu
have the privilege of purchasing Ianus LOT uePo'
purposes Opposition being made Mr. Hustled Withdrew
his amendment whereupOn Mr. Batcheller OF Saratoga
offered another amendment providing that all ineorpo-
rated villages throughout the State shall have power to
appont lagmen at such crossings as they deem expe
dent the expense be paid by the railroad company
ON whose track the fagmen are employed In support
~ his amendment Mr. Batcheller enlarged upon the
dangers now threatening the public from insufficient
warning of the approach Of railroad trains and accused
the Railroad Committee Of refusing to report bill 10
protect the people, insinuatng that no dill not IN the
interest Of railroad corporations could find favor with
that Committee.
Mr. Heaoock, chairman Of the Committee, repeled the
attack on IT, ana said he had given notice to Mr Batch
eer to appear before the Committee and advocate the
bill spoken Of but he had failed to do So Mr. Husteds
bill was finally referred back TO the Committee, with in
structons 70 insert MI. Batcheller's amendment but
subsequently Mr. Hustled asked and obtained unanimous
consent TO introduce bill and push II forward 10 third
reading applying the provisions Of his original bill rela
tive to signboards TO the Rdgefed aud NewYork Rail
road, for which alone he said the original was intended
The only important matter which came before the
Senate this morning, was the subject of the UsuTy
laws Two bills relating 10 this subject have been re-
ported from the Judiciary Committee for the consdera
ton of the Senate. The first (NO. l2, introduced by
MI Robertson makes it lawful "to agree TO pay OF re-
discount at any rate and 10 agree for the pay
ment or receipt Of any rate; provided, how
ever that greater rate of interest than seven per
cent per shall be recovered in any action" That
is contracts for the loan of money at any rate OF inter
est are lawful but the borrower has II in his power by
refusing TO pay and subeetng himself 10 action, TO
settle at seven per cent The other bill (No 2 intro
duced by Mr. Wnsow makes the penalty the forfeiture
OF the interest only The discussion developed rather
more opinion in favor Of modification Of the Usury
laws than supposed to exist In the Senate without
coming any vote, the further consideration Of the
Assem-
bly, OF bill 10 exempt mortgages from taxation has
again been postponed until Tuesday evening, March H.
For the safety and comfort Of persons travelling
railroads particularly OF those having free passes Mr.
Temann has introduced bill compelling all passenger
railroads TO come to full stop before crossing
drawbridges. Before starting the train again. the
ductor must personally examine the draw and satisfy
himself that IL is securely locked The Assembly its
present fanishing condition, would pass this bill by
twothlrds vote is at all likely that the Senate
Railroad Committee will ever report H. as the members
OF that committee all railroad men. The bill, though
excoenty adapted for bleeding purposes, does not come
from the lobby, but is Mr. Temanns own idea.
The election OF Luther Caldwell Yesterday, as Mayor
OF the CITY Of Elmira has revived the discussion or that
gentleman's performance in Albany u 1853. This
the year in which the Erie Railroad Company is
said 10 have spent half million dollars in putting
through certain legislation here-no,aby the bill TO lc
galze the Companys overissae OF stock Caldwell hav
ing been Clerk Of the Assembly the year previous he
employed by the Erie Railroad Company to manage
the passage OF their bills through the Legislature and
said TO have boen intrustod with $4,000 for that purpose
The Central Railroad Company, which was ANXIOUS 10
ohockmae Erie In all of It's legislative schemes s cred
tied with the sharp practice OF having paid Caldwell
$4,000 % away with the Erie money. At any rate
the money disappeared an with CT Lu,her Caldwell
who said 20 have lived casy life ever There
are some who maintain that he did virtuons aud
prascworby act IN Withdrawing from the temptation
Of AAsemhlymcn a corruption fund ~ $4,000 and it
would appear his elevation o. the Mayofaliy Of
Elmra that the voters OF that city take this Wow Of the
subject.
l0EsgRAL rREss piHrATCul
Tho Senate Ia Executive scssIon. Ia day. confirmed
the nomination Of Alien Iiino of On0ndaga Valley. no
Agent Of the Onondags trlbo ~ Indians.
In the Constitutional Commission. 10 day, Mf irOoka
reported au article IN regard ~ corruption In onico. add
Ing % the present peDsas aud pfovdiDg Tor The removal
OF District htt0rnaya who fail - pfusoruie oaaoa
brought % their attention Tho Communication adopted
prOyHOD prohibiting iowDn asd rHiaa hereafter bonding
fOT the aid ~ raIfOads elap section placing rsAtfio
tiOns upon savDgH banks Tue fspsinioi ~ the tofn
Ing session wac taken IN debating the report VD 0rs
VI eiJ soyeISaeoat