New-York tribune., 1874-04-01
ALBANY.
THE SUPPLY BILL.

SARATOGA MONUMENT APPROPRIATION OPPOSED,
But FINALLY sUsTAINED-A QUESTION OF AN
CEsTORs-CoNGREss HALL THREATENED.
IFROM THE REGULAR CORRESPONDENT OF THE TRiBUSE.l
ALBANY, March 3l.-The Assembly completed the
reading of the Supply bill this morning, after
zion of A hours, and amendments generally" are
now in order. Thus far the Chairman of Ways and
Means has succeeded in keeping the appropriations
in the bill substantially as reported from the Com
mittee-the additional items amounting altogether
to less than $200,00O.
The discussion to-day was devoted mainly to the
proposition to give additional compensation to
pages messengers and other officers of the House,
amounting altogether to about $1,000; and TO the
appropriation of $4,000 for a monument to be
erected on the battle-ground of Saratoga. motion
by Mr.. Miller of Herkimer to strike out the latter
appropriation, started stream of patriotic eoquence
which continued without interruption for over two
hours, and covered the entire annals of the Revolu-
tonary epoch. Mr.. Miller laid down the somewhat
original proposition that monuments to COM
memorate the great battles of the country should
be erected where they would be by the greatest
number Of people; and if the Battle of Saratoga
was to be COMMUNICATED by monument it should
be built in Albany, and not on the uninhabited
plains, where none but the wealthy could afford TO
20 and see it, .s
tion, and thought that if the people of Saratoga
wanted to embellish their property with monu-
ment they ought to build it themselves and not tax
the people of New-York and Brooklyn for it.
Mr.. Waehner of New-York was sure that he had
rs much patriotic fire in his bosom any other
member, but taxes were high and the State was in
debt and this not the time, in his opinion, to 60
into the monument business
At this point he was interrupted by Mr.. Houghton,
who asked him the rather impertinent question,
whether his great grandfather was not a Hessianf
Mr.. Waehner, without answering the question
"yes" or no." thanked the gentleman from Steu-
ben for recognizing tho fact that he had great
grandfather, which was probably more than he
(Houghtonl could boast of.
Mr.. Houghton-I would inform the gentleman
that my great-grandfather was wounded at the
battle Of Bunker Hill, while leading his forces
across CharlestOwn Neck.
Mr.. Waehner replied that that might all be true,
but the chances he wore red coat at the time.
Mr.. Mvord Mr.. Batcheller, Mr.. Prince, Col.
Spencer, and Others, supported the appropriation,
and the motion to strike out was lost by large
jority.
On motion ofSlr Vedder clause was inserted in
the bill instructing the Commissioners of the Land
Office to tear down the old block known as Congress
Hall Immediately after the adjournment of the
Legislature. The rear of tho block is within few
feet Of the front Of the Capitol Building and in
case Of a fire it is said that building would be
seriously damaged. Besides, the Capitol Commits
soners claim that they need the room occupied by
Congress Hail. As about threefourths Of the Sena-
tors and most of the State officers board Mt this
favorite hotel. there will be strong opposition to
tearing it down until it becomes absolutely
sary. and Mr. Vedders amend nent will probably be
stricken out when the Supply bill reaches the Upper
House.
LATER.-The consideration of the Supply bill was
completed in the Assembly this evening and it was
ordered to third reading. After getting out of the
Committee Col. Spencer renewed his amendment to
insert the claim of DR.. Swinburne which was car
red on a call of Yeas and Nays by considerable ma
jority. Mr. Prince in explaining his vote in opposi-
ton, said that he convinced that the claim was
equitable one, but he not satisfied as to the
amount justly due, and until this could be settled
by examination he should be compelled to vote
against the appropriation. The old fend between
the present Health Officer and DR.. Swnburne, aris-
ing from the attempt Of the former to change the
name Of Swinburne Island to Dix Island has played
large part in the controversy about this claim, and
the result appears to indicate that DR.. Swinburne is
master Of the situation. An attempt was made in
the House to strike out the appropriation for the
| Saratoga Monument but it failed
CURRENT TOPICS AT THE STATE CAPITAL.
ACTION OF COMMITTEES on VARIOUS NEW
YORK CITY SCHEMES.
TBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRTBUNE.l
rba