The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-02-14
THE STATE CAPITAL.


There was hardly any business done in the Sen,
ate to-day, but there Is prospect that mucn WI
be transacted next week, q resolution OF Sena-
tor Lords was adopted for holding evening SEES
sions Monday, Wednesday and Friday Hugh
Moore, the democratic senator from yne Eighth
district, ia in danger Of losing his sea, II the prec
edent set ia Abbott's Is any n9.cation OF the
policy the majority mean TO pursue. A resolution
offered to-day by senator TooeY empowering the
Committee on Privileges anu Elections TO hold
their sessions in New YORK for the purpose OF TAX
Ing evidence in the case OF Moore's seat contested
by Pinckney was adopted.
THE NEW CAPITOL EXPENDITURES
On motion OF Senator Selkreg, the Finance CON-
mittee was directed to examine the expenditures
OF the New Capitol Commission.
DELUSIvE IMPRESSION.
There is an erroneous report that the rate OF
taxation this year is to be raised, giving the i'm
preston that the volume OF money needed to carry
on the State government win be greater than last
year. On the contrary there Will be less amount
required this time, but q fourth OF q null will
be added to such rate as may be determined in
order to make up for the deficiency in the Sinking
Fund
REDUCTION OF CANAL APPROPRIATIONS.
The appropriations for carrying on the Erie and
Champlain canals will be reduced from $500, 900
to $75o0oo. Why the people should be compelled
canals Is one OF those things which, in the words
Of the astute Dundreary -No fellah can lind out.
The Capitol appropriation OF ST. oooo 900 win be the
largest item IN the supply bill. This is now alb
sorting the attention OF the Ways ana Means Com
mlttee, and the Chairman announces that all
claims and appropriations OF money from the state
treasury must be presented to the committee dur.
Ing the next two weeks, as the supply bill, which
Is the Miscellaneous Appropriation bu, will be re-
ported on Tuesday, March 3, and urged lmmedl-
ateIy to q final passage.
tunnel under the North River, at some point
between Fourteenth street and Barclay and ex-
templated In q bill introduced in the Assembly by
Mr. Deane, and the Railroad Comrnittee reported
for the consideration OF tue House Spears travel
ling sidewalk. Two more railroad projects fol-
lowed, one by MIR. Murray authorizing the New
to erect warehouses on piers in the city OF New
York, and construct railway to and rom the
Mr.. Spencer authorizing she construction Of a rail-
road TO run through James slip to New Cham
and Chambers streets to West street,
thence to Reade street, thence TO the intersection
with Duane street, and thence to Chambers street.
Niger IN THE FENCE
A bill with the specifically innocent intention
Sessions and giving MN power to APPOINT a deputy
clerk came III several days ago from Mr.. Spencer,
and after being recommltted TO the Judiciary Com:
mittee on account of "a niger in the fence"
being discovered in its provisions, was reported
to-day IN some mysterious way and passed MI.
thatit contained few lines wiping out the en-
acting clause OF previous act giving the
the judges, and the effect of this would
be to hand over the appointments OF thirty of these
clerks to the Board OF Supervisors, where it origI-
naly belonged. In the bill it passed the Assem-.
bly, the lines objected to by MIR. Coughlm We're re-
AS 1t stands now, assuming that these lines are
not restored 1t gives TO the Clerk OF the Court OF
cierS at $500 year and an assistant deputy deputy
clerk at 81, 0O0 though when that same bill was
first introduced the salary for the latter was put
r. in
troduced bill without any disguise, giving the ap
pointment of the clerks to the Board OF Supervisors
ExEMPTING MORTGAGES.
The Chamber OF Commerce sent up to-day a
petition in favor OF the oil eXemptmg bonds and
mortgages real estate from taxation, which
reminds me that Mr.. Batcheller, chairman OF the
Committee on Ways and Means, is down on said
bill like thousand OF bricks. He fought 1t last
year and he Is determined to fight 1t again this
year. with the advantage OF being chairman OF the
committee to which II was referred. He argues
that such bill involves special legislation of the
most odious kind, for it claims the exemption OF
are Well able to bear the burden OF contributing
to the state revenue as any other. II mortgages
are exempted an unhealthy speculation In real
estate would be sure occur, and money now
doing useful work in circulation would be locked
up IN mortgages exempt rom taxation.
DISCUSSION THE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS.
The discussion on the amendment to article OF
the constitution was resumed this morning in the
Assembly. The amendment Is important, nasmuch
as 1t increases the power OF the Executive and takes
the selection OF several omcers out OF the hands
OF the people and places II IN those OF the GOV
ernor. To the country districts bordering on the
state canals the disposition or this amendment Is
especially interesting as 1t abolishes the Office Of
Canal Commissioner, who has heretofore been
elected by the people, and dispenses with the
Board OF Canal Commissioners. The substitute
contemplated by the amendment is Superin-
tendent Of Public WORKS, who shall be appointed
by the Governor, with the consent OF the Senate,
and perform all the duties OF the present Canal
Commissioners.
Mr. Davis very clearly showed the workings Of
the rotten canal system. He declared it was all
wrong and was the cause Of losses to the state
amounting to millions OF dollars. The constitution
OF is46 had put the canals In charge Of three differ
man TO follow up and trace anything wrong for
which any one OF these departments can be held
responsible. Was this business like? he asked and,
If not buslness-ke, is 1t right aud proper, espe-
| ciany when vast interests are involvedf He
also dssec'ed the manner which con
tees Of the Ensneer rFH department tue secured
tions OF the WORK and extravaganza ones on
others-one bid largely making up deficiencies in
others. 1t was swinde; but what could be oonef
| The honest bidders know this business is q gross
/ swlndle; but what can they do? Good, honest
men are deprived OF work and the State is robbed
/ annually OF hundreds OF thousands OF dollars
Mr.. LINCOLN moved that further consideration
OF the resolution be postponed until Monday next,
at noon, and that the final vote be taken without
debate, which was carried.
ADJOURNMENT.
The senate, finding IT futile to stay over Satur-
day, adjourned, did the Assembly, over until
Monday evening.
PHELPS, THE DEFAuLTER.
The case OF Phelps, the alleged state Treasury
deiaulter, VIII not be taken up until March 2.
SENATE COMBINATIONS.
The Senate, in executive session to-day, con-
frmed the nominations Of Samuel +. Miller as
Commissioner OF the State Board OF Charities, and
John d. Van Buren,, OF New York, as Commissioner
OF Quarantine.
UsuRY QUESTION.
The judiciary Committee OF the Assembly will on
the 18th inst. hold session for o hearing on the
usury question.
WEATHER REpORT