New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-05-27
LOCAL MISCELLANY.
COMMISSIONS HANDS TIED.

A
vrroRTs OF A MAJORITY or THE COMMISSIONERS OF
EMIGRATION TO MODIFY THE BYLAWS RELATING
ToA QUORUM.
The Commissioners OF Emigration found
themselves YESTERDAY in peculiarly embarrassing posi-
finn The regular meeting should have been held at
Castle Garden there was business OF the utmost import
ance to transacted and quorum could be obtained
Moreover, II maintained by some VINO were
present that the absent members had remained away
the express purpose OF defeating the ends OF ma
iorty OF the Board BY strenuous efforts the attend
ance OF Mayor Havemeyer, who IL IA member OF the
Board was secured for the first time in the history Of
the present Commission strong effort was made TO
de some means of legally transactnS the necessary
business, and a committee was finally appointed to re-
wise the bylaws, making the number present legal
quorum 1t was understood that, among other bust
ness, the restoration Of one or two 0f tho prominent
officers recently removed was contemplated
The meeting was called TO order soon after O'Clock.
President urbut WAS the chair, and Commissioners
Uayemeyer Ountard. Starr, and Stephenson also
present. The roll called and the announcement
made that there was no quorum MT stephenson at
once said there business which must be done
Ii was evident that the Board had been left with
out a quorum by design He was sure that the
absent Commissioners had some purpose in staying
away He therefore made tie motion that
all rules and regulations adopted for 1873 be revoked and
a committee be appointed TO draft new code. 1t was
impossible. he said, to amend these laws without q
Quorum but the Board just entering on It's second
wear and new rules could be adopted by majority of its
members Furthermore he doubted Mi Lynchs right
to seat in the Board and challenged his
membership The Board could not obtain
the seven members needed for quorum
until next November, for Mr.. Kaufman was already in
Europe Mr. Hurlbut would sail to-day and the Mayors
duties had heretofore always prevented his attendance
He Thought the passage OF the law requiring the pres
ence OF seven Commissioners was an oversight. for he
distinctly remembered that the recommendation
Der. was that five should constitute IA quorum.
been noticed The Committee never intended to make
a quorum two-thirds of the entire board several OF
the nurses and phySlclansa AZ ware isio hd eHghcn
and there was e. for the sick Unless some
business could be done at once the Governor should dis
band the Commission or discipline the refractory mem
Mr. Quintard thought the members present had a
fSc question no Mr. Havemcyer said months notice
be gwen before thoy could be changed. anu ths
ago Mr. Stephenson insisted on hi. motion, ana vote
finally called on an amendment 10 lt winch provided
that the Committee should revise the present bylaws
Messr Stephenson, QInard, and Starr the Committee.
withdrew and quickly returned Their report recon-
mends several changes In the laws the Ony one of I'M
portance being the provision that four Commissioners
having right to vote on all subjects shall constitute
Mr. TIavemeyer said it seemed that the change Ind
been made especially TO suit the present emergency aud
moved that i've, instead OF four, he quorum. THIS
amendment was accepted, and the Mayor then advised
that the report be laid the table and that each mem
Der of the Board be informed Of tine contemplated
change, 50 that NOBODY could complain OF uniarnoss
Mr. Stephenson replied that the President would leave
The cityday and that quorum could be obtained
III December Meantime the SICK would De suffering Tor
lack of attention and the employees could not be paid,
Inc pay-rOlls requiring the sanction OF the Board
Some further complaint WAS made against the absent
members Cssrs. Lynch, Forrest and Miuicr especially
by Mr. Stephenson. who said IL the ayOwcd inten
ton OF least 10 defeat the majority ana To bring
about dead lock the Board The Mayor then entered
upon an interesting history OF the manner In which
the Commission had been managed % years ago. The
Commas toner's furnished Mr.. Havemeyer with many
facts concerning the Immigration OF the wear ana me
financial condition OF the Board Returning at length
10 the business before meeting the Mayor stated
that he should be unwilling to vote IN favor OF the
Committees report ana the meeting at once adjourned