New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-02-14
ALBANY.

THE RAILROAD CLASSIFICATION BILL.
UNEXPECTED OPPOsTIoN-THE EXISTING LAW ON
TIE SUBJECT.
vRoA THE REGULAR CORRESPONDENT or THE TRiBurs'l
ALBANY. Feb. I3.-The Judiciary Committee OF
the Senate had agreed-Judge Robertson alone DIS
sentngto report favorably the Railroad Csssliica-
ton bill introduced last week by Senator Gsnsoa,
but kilograms received to-day from William NJ.
Evarts and John Parker of New York, expressing
desire to be heard in opposition to the BILL and the
| Committee have therefore fixed upon "Wednesday
next, at p m, as the day when hearing Will DC
granted. The bill is substantially the same In Its
provisions az the old Erie classification BILL except
that it is general bill applicable to all the railroad
companies in the State and cannot be made use OF
| by any existing Board of Directors.
There appears to be no Directing to the ab-
stract principle of the bill, if made applicable only
to boards of directors hereafter to be elected but
Judge Robertson, who dissented from the majority
of the Committee, thought that the old Erie bill
had been made 80 odous it was inexpedient TO re-
| enact law that might, under similar clrcum-
stances, be used to disadvantage. A classification
law is now in existence applicable to the Central
Railroad Company, which was passed at the same
| time with the Erie bill but was not repealed with
the repeal of the latter. The other railroad COM
panes claim that they should he placed on the same
| footing with the Central in this regard, and that
classification law is often absolutely essential to the
proper and efficient management Of a railway com
Pany.
| CURRENT TOPICS AT THE STATE CAPITAL.
| CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT DEBATE-THE DRIFT
| OF LEGISLATION QUARANTINE COMMISSIONER
| VAN buren, CoNFIRMED-ALBANY NOTES.
| FRoa THB REGULAR CORRESPONDENT oP THE rRIBUSE'l
| ALBANY, Feb 13.-The discussion on Article V. OF
| the proposed constitutional amendments was re-
sumed in the Assembly this morning, and occupied
nearly the entire session. Mr.. Alvord made another
! speech in favor of this article, and Mr., Weed an
elaborate one against it. Mr.. Petty of Suffolk also
supported the articei an able speech Col Spencer
Mr.. Badger, and Mr.. Farrar, all Republicans, OPP
posed its adoption as anti-republican IN principle
! aud practically useless, because 1T was sure
to be voted down by the people. MT. DAVIS OK WASH
ngton was the only Democrat who spoke IN Jus
favor and the sole ground of his support was that 1t
would break up the present corrupt and irresponsible
management of the canals and put them in the
hands of single individual who could be held to
| accountability. Nothing novel was developed in the
line of argument on either side, and the discussion
ended by the adoption of resolution that the vote
be taken Oh the adoption rejection OF the article
| at 10 m. on Wednesday next
| petition was received from the New York Cham
| Der of Commerce in favor OF excepting lands ana
mortgages from taxation Mr.. Spencer introduced
| n hill for a horse railroad from James-sip, East
| River. to the foot Of Chambers-st.. North River
accompanied by petition from citizens OF New YORK
and Brooklyn asking for the same. He said he ln-
troduced 1t at the request OF constituent and
wished 1t distinctly understood that he did not
| commit himself in favor of this or any other
bill by the act Of introducing it. Mr.
| 4. o1tr
in THE TRIBUNE, authorizing the Hudson Tunnel
Railroad Company, organized under the general
laws. to build tunnel under the Hudson River be-
tween New-York and the Jersey shore. Mr.. Murray
introduced bill to authorize the New-York Ware
| bouse and Bulkhead Railroad Company to build
| railroad and construct warehouses along the docks
of New-York 1t IS similar to the bill that has been
before the Legislature for two or three years past
The Senate resolution pledging the Legislature to
appropriate 100000 for the new Capitol was re-
eeyed and laid over under the rule Also the resolu-
tion of Senator Lowery for q joint meeting Of the
Wavs and Means and Finance Committees to devise
plans for more equitable taxation. The Senate
concurred in the resolution Of the Assembly rescnd-
ing the resolution Of 1871 appointing Tweed Fields
and others Commissioners to represent the State at
the Centennial Exhibition.
Tn Executive session of the Senate the nomination
| OF Col JOnn ~. van DuIcu loi No-''
sioner was confirmed by vote Of II to g. The Re-
publicans all voted to confirm, and the Democrats
with the exception Of Mr.. Bradley, who was ex-
| cused voted against the confirmation.
| The Senate adopted resolution to-day to hold
evening sessions three days Of the week in future
| and thus make up for the Friday adjournments
| which il seems to be impossible to prevent.
| The Assembly Committee on Commerce and Nav
| ipation will grant hearing on Wednesday evening
| next TO the opponents of Mr.. Benefits bill regu-
| Iatina rates of fare on the Brooklyn ferries.
| GENERAL PRESS DIsPArcH.l
Mr. Batcheler Chairman of the Ways and Means
| Committee announces that all claims aud appllca-
| tions for appropriations Of money from the State
| Treasury must be presented to the Committee dur
ing the next two weeks. the Supply BILL which Is
the miscellaneous appropriation bill, will be re-
norted on Tuesday March 3, and urged Immediately
| to final passage.
| The Senate in Executive session to-day confirmed
the nomination of Samuel F. Miller IS Commits
| sioner of the State Board Of Charities.
LEGISLATIVE PROCEEDINGS.
| EVENING SESSIONS IN THE sKNArE-MoRH AR6U-
| mENr ON THE QUESTION OF APPOINTING STATE
| oyyfcERs-NEw BILLS IN THE ASSEMBLY.
| SENATE. ALBANY. Feb. Is, 1874
Mn. sgLKREo offered the following, which
was adopted:
Rssolcsd That the Finance Committee DO directed to
examine the expenditures OF the new Capitol Commits
sioners with power TO send for persons aud papers
Mr. JACOBS moved that when the Senate adiourns II be
until Monday at 7:3o p. m.
| Mr. LORD asked to be excused from voting. He had
Il