The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1873-01-08
NEW YORK.


New YORK, Jan. I'm an interview las
night in his CELL Stokes was very bitter to
wards the prosecution and witnesses, declarin.
with repeated oaths that money had secured tn,
verdict, that the boys Raymond and Hart hat
been bribed, and that their testimony had con
ylcted him. He expected an entire acquittal
and could not have been more surprised if hi
had heard New York had burned to the ground
He continued that he was victim of the ex.
| cited public sentiment that the iury had de
termined to convict him, and he was convicted
because OF his responsibility 1t was an out
rage. He was confident, however, that his
council would obtain stay of proceedings from
some supreme Court Judge, and thus ensure
him another trial.
Municipal Affairs.
The Tribune says that Notwithstanding il
| stands II Democrats to 10 Republicans, the
latter yesterday captured the Board of Assis-
| tant Aldermen by electing Mr.. Wade (Rep.
President. The new Board of Supervisors, in
accordance with the Mayors recommendation,
| are going to begin investigation at once into
the leasing of armories
Arrest of an Ex-Judse for Robbery.
Ex-Judge Merritt, prominent member of
| the Westchester bar, was arrested yesterd y on
| warrant of the Mayor of White Plains, charg-
| ed with rObblng the money drawer OF tie Vel
| son House. A considerable amount of the al
legged stolen property, belonging to Senator
Robertson aid others, was found in his room.
No Further Delay.
This morning, notwithstanding the endeav-
| ors of the counsel for a further postponement,
| Judge Davis refused to entertain any such mo-
| tons and ordered that the trial of Tweed in
| which he is implicated with Connolly for
| frauds be proceeded with. His counsel, how
| ever, continued to make dilatory arguments at
| some length.
State Matters.
| Gov. Dix is reported having asserted that he
| shall appoint only nautical men as port war
| dens and harbor masters, and recommending
| that the Legislature make them salaried posi-
tions at $500 annually. One charter for New
York has already bhen sent to the Governor and
Legislature, and Others shortly are forthcom-
ing.
The East River Bridge Investigation.
The majority and minority reports of the
East river bridge investigating committee were
published to-day. The minority report states
that the finance committee has no records, new
er held meeting or made report, and that
the business of the company was transacted by
the executive committee. No part of the ma
terial used had been advertised for down to
July, 1870. William q. Kingsley was paid
$4,000 as fee on an expenditure of 81, 49,
521, which he provided, making $50, 900 more
than the 5 per centum which he was allowed.
The majority report states that Kingsley re-
turned the $4,000 and that no advances were
made him except for services rendered The
executive commit ee to whom the reports were
maize, object to the minority report and say
that it omits facts. They declare that the COM
pany suffered no wrong
The Missouri.
The committee of the board of steam navi-
CATION reported to-day that the steamer Missou-
III was seaworthy and well fitted, but there was
an utter lack of discipline ON board; also that
that the vessel might have been saved had the
fire hose been attache. to the pumps when the
fire broke out.
Double Murder.
Elizabeth Taylor Church, residing on 9th
avenue, died last night from the effects of an
abortion. After death tive ,ty inches of iron
wire were found in the body penetrating the
diaphragm and the right lung. Investigation
is proceeding. No arrests.
Various Matters.
The Woodruff and Clafin women were in
court expecting their trial also.
A sheriff. jury last night assessed $4,000
damages against j. Dempsey, late clerk of the
Aldermen, for serious assault upon Lottie
Stanton, keeper of a bangio.
James M. Brown was re elected chairman of
the Committee of Seventy at meeting to-
night and BENZ. B. Sherman vice chairman
new committee on legislation was appointed
and includes Prof Dwight, George w. Lane,
ex-Judge Emott, ex-Judge Pierreport and Hon.
John Wheeler.
New York Legislature.
ALBANY, JAN 1.-THE Assembly organized
to-day by the choice of A. B. Cennell as
Speaker.
Governor Dix message was read to the Leg
islature. He congratulated the State for the
calm which succeeded the national election a.sa
regards the fact that fve-sixths of the States
cast their votes for the same candidate as an in
dlcatIon that the an'm0Sities OF the late rebel
lion are gradually wearing away, and believes
that liberal enlighted policy by Congress and
the eminent citizen on whom the public conf
dence is bestowed will eventually lead to obliv-
ion of past differences. The receipts for the
fiscal md
dtures $14, 455, 552. These are exclusive of the
canal and free school funds. He appeals to
the Legislature not to commit the errors of the
past Legislatures by abstaining from all expen-
ditures not indispensable.
he recommends the passage of a general law
requiring the comptroller to provide for def
ciencies by adding them to t e tax levy. He
recommends following of the example of the
last Legislature in refusing to make sectaran
appropriations. The amount of the State debt
is $25, 1886, 725, showing reduction of over 81,
O00,0O0 the past year
He recommends the abolition of the quarin-
tine commission as salared board retaining
such board only as court of appeal. He rec
ommendS retaining the control If the Erie
| Canal, and hopes that means will soon be
| adopted by which transportation over it may be
more rapid He refers to the plnudering of the
public in New York by reckless officials, and
recommends the re organization of the COM
| missions Of that city by having only one COM
missioner with good salary assiste by others
with small salaries as advisers. He calls at
tention to the fact that police justices in New
York who are persons of inconsiderable judicial
Knowledge and intellectual ability receiving
salaries OF $4,000 per annum, when half that
amount would be ample. He recommends that
the fees of the court offices in New York. which
| aggregates enormous sums, be paid into the
| city treasury and the officers be salaried. He
also recommends the uprooting of the present
| system of the City Government of New York
| and giving power to the Mayor to remove and
appoint officials, and recommends that in the
city of New York the principal of minority rep
resentation in the Legislature be engrafted in
| its laws He refers to the great increase of
crimes and while commencing the just law
| passed by the last Legislature, recommends
legislation that will more surely secure the
prompt punishment OF convicted criminals he
recommends reforming the usury laws, an in
creased compensation to Legislators, encourage
ment to immigration, more liberal laws rela
tive to taxation, and promises his support to al
measures of reform for the public good.