New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-03-21
ALBANY.
RAPID TRANSIT GRIEVANCES.


BILL AND TIE GOOD FORTUNE or THOSE BACKED
BY MoSEY-MR. LINCOLN'5 REPLY.
IRON THE REGULAR CORRESPONDENT OF THE rRTBUSE.l
ALBANY. March 20.-The only feature of interest
in the proceedings of the Assembly to-day was the
speech made by Mr.. Eastman of PouRhkeepsie, on
question of privilege. Finding he was not going to
get an opportunity TO offer n resolution TO take his
quick transit bill out of the Railroad Committee.
Mr. Eastman effected his object by rising to ques-
ton OF privilege which always IN order. He said
that he held his hand copies Of nearly every daily
newspaper printed in New-York, III most Of which
were articles rejecting on him for not pushing for
ward his bill introduced six weeks ago to bring
about something practical in the way OF
quick transit for New-York City. He then
read long extract urging speedy action on his bill,
...inuating that he had not useu the efforts to
advance it that he ought to have done. and snggosE
ing the possibility of his having been bought of.
He also read an extract touching the haste with
which Vanderbilts bill and that of the Third-aye.
Company had been reported from the Railroad Com
mittee, to the neglect Of other schemes.
In all the newspapers before him articles re-
hecting on him in connection with the delay on his
bill, and it was due to himself and those who APP
proved of the bill that the facts should be known
He did not desire to reflect on the Railroad Commit
but he demanded the right to put himself in true
position by giving the facts. Six weeks ago he intro
duced his bill, which was referred to the Railroad
Committee. 1t was approved by every daily journal
in New York City, and more than 60 columns had
been written and printed in its favor. He had also
received more than 400 letters from citizens of New
York approving Of the bill and urging him to push
1t through The authors of those letters comprised
number of the leading capitalists of the city.
More than SIX weeks this bill had lain in the hands
of tine Railroad Committee, and he had used his ut
most endeavors to get action upon it. He had asked
the Committee to report 1t adversely if they would
not report it favoraby. to report it for the con-
sideration of the use. or in any other way 20 he
could get il before the Assembly. There never was
a cleaner bill introduced in Legislature 1t had
no money and no "jobp in it for any body
He offered TO submit 90 the Committee
all the letters he had received in its favor and all
the newspaper notices. What was the RESULT His
bill continued to be in the Committee Enacted upon
and unnoticed. But only last Thursday Vanderbilt
brought here quick transit bill and the Committee
reported il day before yesterday wealthy cor
poratiOn introduced similar bill last Wednesday
and 1t reported IN "a hours. The newspapers
and the people could not but look upon such action
as this with dlstrust To his mind it was the most
remarkable proceeding he had ever known in a
l. pslative Committee. He simply asked that
member Of this House and chairman of one of It's
leading committees should have much right aud
as good show before the Railroad Committee as
wealthy outside corporations. In conclusion he said
ne had a resolution which he should offer at the
earliest opportunity. taking his bill ont of the Com
mlttee on Railroads and referring it to the Com
mttee of the Whole House.
Mr Lincoln, chairman of the Railroad COMMITTEE
undertook a brief reply to Mr.. Eastman, but he
failed 10 give any why his bill had been neg
lected so long why the Vanderbilt and the Third
ave. bills were reported with snch haste. Ho said
that Mr.. Eastman had made frequent changes
in his BILL aud only two weeks ago he
came before the Committee and asked to
substitute new bill: but Mr.. Eastman's excuse for
this is that he amended his bill in accordance with
suggestions of citizens and newspapers in New
York and that rs he could not get the bill out of
the Committee so tuat the amendments could be
inserted while it was under discussion In
the House. his only to perfect it while
in the hands of tho Committee. In conclusion
Mr. Lincoln said the Committee intended to report
the BILL and all other bills before them, as soon as
they could give them due consideration; but he had
no objection to having Mr. Eastmans bill taken out
of the Committee, as 1T would leave them so much
the less work to do.