The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-02-27

Tnfs action OF the Board, says Mayor Havemeyer,
would nave imposed so heavy an addition TO the
burden OF taxes already excessive in this CITY, that
the Board OF Apportonment did not consider It
judicious to approve the proposed increase. The
increase made by the Board OF Aldermen was
only njudicious and IN disregard OF the
actual requirements and interests Of the city, but
was IN some instances directly in CONFIRMATION
OF laws then and now existing. The estimate and
superintendent can be reduced under the follow
ing heads First, by emitting the amount for the
Fourth avenue Improvement; second, by emitting
the amount for the City Prison act; third, by
0mitting the amount Tor first ms talment bonds to
" 1ssafa 70 pay inc deficit 10 the state sinking
NTH, In some OF the courts there subordinates
VINO receive extravagant salaries.
AT the evening session OF the Assembly the Dill
10 grant the right OF 'eminent domain" to the
Grand Trunk Railroad In the City OF Buffalo came
up TOT discussion. Mr. Alvord drew fr1ghtlul
picture OF the results likely follow the giving or
TINS foreign railroad foothod within the limits OF
the state OF New York. The metropolis would
lose millions In consequence, and the trade OF the
West would find an outlet at Montreal. Mr.. Smith
weed took just the reverse view, and held that 1t
would pour wealth INTO the state OF New YORK and
would act as a check upon the monopolizng corpo-
ratons OF the New York Central and Erie roads. The
bill passed TO third reading. ana 1t Is supposed
the big railroads threatened by this competition
Will now rally TO defeat It. A speech, as long and
dreary As a Church OF England sermon, was made
by Mr.. Lincoln, OF Ontario, on an old
ABSURD NUISANCE OF BILL
proposing 10 allow the people Of towns to vote on
the question whether they are willing to repay the
money paid by drafted men lot substitutes. Mr..
Eastman SAID ne was sorry 10 see an honest man,
Ike LlncOIu, auVOcaLluy THIS Olu Iraud oil a
BILL which, for foul years, had been trying pass
the Legislature. Mr.. Alvord said the man at the
bottom OF lt was an Old sanctimonous hypocrite,
named Rev. Mr.. Hull that this was a swindle rom
beginning to end, and he believed no decent man
In the State wanted the money back which he gave
TO help his country in her hour OF need.
Inc discussion here grew quite exciting, and
nne-look1ng, awkward young member, named
Wagstan, six teet and half IN his stockings,
made decided hit by an Unexpectedly brilliant
retort on fellow member. Wagstaff talked OF
LAWYERS attenlng on such agltations, when ne was
interrupted by youthful and ambitious lawyer OF
Brooklyn, Mr. Melvin, by the inquiry why lawyers
should be hauled into the controversy. Wagstan,
with impetuouS readiness, replied, 81 meant no
reference TO the gentleman from Brooklyn when
spoke OF lawyers" The effect was like The story
OF John Brougham about Lester Waiiack being
admitted to heaven because he was no actor, and
the discontinue Of poor Melvin. The blu was
finally killed.
The Committee on Finance held meeting to in
vestlgate the alleged frauds in the building OF the
new Capitol, and examined two stonecutters, who
testified that the stone used in the construction
could have been prepared at much cheaper rate
on the grounds OF the capitol building than at the
Quarries where the work was done.
There was q triangular attendance OF parties In
terested IN the
GREENWICH STREET ELEVATED RAILROAD
before the JOINT Committee on Railroads, one party
representing the original stockholders, the other
the present owners and the third the property
owners in opposition to the extension of the road
across town. The extension up town Is likely To
be granted as both the original and present stock
holders have identical bills In favor OF IT, and the
A nearing will be gwen next Tuesday on the pro
rata freight Dill.