The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-03-04
The Comptroller and Fire Commissioners
Called On for Accounts.
Another Display Of EloqueBce by the
Famous "Seyenty."
The Old Charter Arguments Rehashed for
the Senate Committee.
wOODIN WANTED TO WORST THEM.

c0Dy U the S,enDen courier, OF date 18th Ult.,
is being scattered about among members Of the
Legislature. In 1t there appears an editorial
statement to the effect that in an alleged "bill of
expenses" said to have been incurred
by the various roads interested In the
defeat OF the Pro Rata Freight bill last Winter
and which was, it Is alleged, sent by
the Central to the Erie Company, the
following item appeared ITO paid Senator Har-
ROVER, $4,000" Narrower is one OF the investl-
eating committee appointed to clear up the mys-
terry surrounding the Eie fight OF last Winter, and
will doubtless II innocent be able to show whether
this is a libel or not.
VERY SHARP DODGE.
The Gem nittee on Insurance of the lower House
last Friday reported adversely on the bill COM
pelng insurance companies to file an annual state
ment OF their business with the Secretary OF State.
The report was agreed to. 1t now turns out that
some sharp lobbying man, who got wind
OF the fact last week how the committee
stood, went down to New York ana made q
contract with the companies to have the bill
reported adversely. His price on general subscrp
ton was fifteen thousand dollars, to be divided OF
course, among the members OF the committee
Well, the bill was reported adversely on Friday,
and on Saturday the money was paid to the lobbyist
in New York. This "cash transaction" the CON-
mittee have learned OF, understand, and they are
all wild about IT.; Trey declare they have been
"sOLD oUT,''
that they knew nothing about the lobbyman's
transactions, and that he profted by his knowledge
OF what tn, report would be for his own benefit,
and that they had nothing to do with him directly
or indirectly. II the payment Of the money to the
lobbyist Is fact can 1t be that the row has been
brought about simply because he wouldn't divide
alter he got his raSes The committee may answer.
CITY COMMON SCHOOLS.
The House in committee consicere the bill pro-
viding regulations for the common schools in the
city OF New York. Mr.. Hustled moved that a Sec
ton be added providing that the terms OF Office of
inspectors shall terminate in twenty days after the
passage Of the act and that the Mayor shall ap-
point three inspectors in each school dis
trict, whose term of Office shall be deter
mined by lot and that annually hereafter
the Mayor shall appoint one Inspector Tor each
district. The motion was carried. The same sec
ton is contained in the present law. motion
also carried striking out the section giving the
Board Of Education power to appoint superin-
tendents OF grammar schools aud prima ry depart
ments Ii was also adopted that the Governor
shall within ten days alter the passage OF this
act appoint elnber OF the medical profession
in this city to act with the superintendent VI the
city schools and the President OF the New York
TO schools in New York and report to the next Leg
islature. The bill with these changes was ordered
10 tulru reauing.
WESTERN Union TELEGRAPH COMPANY
resolution was adopted calling on the Presi-
dent and treasurer o. the Western Union Tee-
graph Company to report within fifteen days as to
whether any officer, agent or employe OF that COM
pany had used any OF its funds In purchasing the
stock Of the company and If 50, whether the pur-
chase had been cancelled on the books; also,
whether any Of the company's stock had been re-
sold on the market Tor any purpose. The resolu-
ton went over as Mr.. Hustled rose to debate it.
THE FIRE COMMISSIONERS.
resolution was adopted calling on the Fire
held and received by Them; also tae amount dis
bursed, and to whom, for the Fire Department re-
lief fund and the moneys they hold Tor the Mutual
THE COMMITTEE OF SEVENTY AND REFORM.
The heavy weights OF the Committee OF Seventy
made another charge relative to the objection
document now being in the position OF Ma
ho tss @ heaven sa% h and
1t was safely though somewhat roughly, handled
in the Assembly, and between 1t and the haven
Senate and the Governor. The seventy feel that
there is yet life and hope, and Today made
THE FIRST or THEIR LAST SERIES
OF onslaughts. They were represented by their
abest men. Professor Dwight again led the
column, and In his path followed Jackson $.
d. Nichol Benjamin +. latham, Ex-Governor
Solomon and John Wheeler. The Senate COM
m sha was e @ ex9 wps
absent, and Senator Benedict presided.
Davenport, who apparently carries his mead
supported by his customary henchmcn, Just IN rear
OF the committee. He Whitfield with his jacknife
rebuttal altogether to Joking with Senator Adams
and receiving rebuffs from Senator Tiemann
for making o noise. Professor Dwight's
speech was confined manly to his old arguments
concerning the appointing power. Governor Sao.
spoke on the political side of the subject and
argued that the reform element especially the
German portion OF it, would go back en- the repub-
licans and return to their democracy unless the
charter was devoted more to reform than
OF the COMPREHENSIVE from the time that Haws
many years ago by his honesty and ability made
the Office the great power that 1t now Is He pro-
posed amendments, especially to the finance arti-
Gle, urging that three Tax Commissioners and the
Comptroller representing both parties form a
Board or Finance to assess, levy and col
lect the taxes; also that the i'm
mense power OF the Comptroller's Office and
to one man, but to two or three men each. The
Board OF finance, constituted as he proposes
should be authorized to consolidate the $780, 900
OF city debt that now floats about in all forms
and numberless denominations. The consolt
dated be- had :a could to-
Of our debt. Mayor Havemeyer Is not, ne
Mayor by the republicans. II ne kicks little ont
Of the traces we must bear 1t. Certainly our
when hey and
Immaculate. The reform element carried on the
country and helped to carry 1t on in all the cleo
lions since, and these gentlemen, our republican
friends, promised us-promsed me-that II we
we're successful they would not deny the fruit OF
our labor. Mr.. Schultz then submitted in printed
form his idea OF finance article for the, charter,
being verbatim the finance article In the Old
Seventy's charter Of last year, except as to the
name OF the finance board.
D0nnan b. Eaton followed, denouncng the arti-
Gle relative TO secret meetings OF the Board Of APP
p0rti0nment as revolutionary and unrecoRnized
even In the worst kingdom Of Europe. lie wanted
the Hath section amended 30 as to permit OF any
five citizens applying for Q summary examination
OF any city 0ffical, and urged the appointment Of
counsel to the Board or Health by the Board ITSELF
THE SEVENTY" MUST sToP TALKING.
Senator Benedict interpssed at this point, II be-
ing six O'Clock, and refused TO hear anything
more, Notwithstanding dwight and Eaton both
asked the privilege OF few words on Spring cleo
tions Even while Eaton was still speaking
Senator Benedict gathered his little com
mittee about him ag inst Tenants vigorous
protests and began discussion in committee. Tie
mann, Palmer and Weissman vigorously insisted
that the seventy" should have q further chance