The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-06-11
BOARD OF ALDERMEN.

SEVEN RKpUBLIcAN MEMBERs VIOLATE RULE
AND ARE ExcLUDED-MR. p. O. DUFFY con-
r1EMED As POLICE yUsr1cE-THE LABoRERs'
PAT.
The regular weekly meeting OF the Board OF Al
dermen was held yesterday afternoon. Unusual
interest was manifested In the session because IL
was generally known that the name OF the gen.
tieman chosen by the Mayor TO succeed the late
Police Justice Sherwood on the magisterial bench
would be presented at Il The Aldermanic cham
Der was filed with politicians some wondering
whether or not they would be lucky enough 10
secure the prize In the Justiceship others anxious
about the tate OF the candidates they have been
urging upon the Mayor. Hope ouoyed up their
souls until the name or Mr. P. @. Duty was an
nounced, and then, though It had been snrewdg
guessed that that gentleman would be the NOM
inee, despair blackened the faces OF many or them
The meeting was begun at two O'Clock, Prest-
dent Lewis In the chair. After some unimportart
business had been transacted Alderman Mccarthy
onered preamble and series or resolutions,
which. alter discussion, were referred 10 the
Committee on Roads. Tney referred 10 the exist
encc OF the nuisance upon ana In the neighbor-
hood OF the Harlem nats, ana they are printed In
another column.
THE REDUCTION OF CITY LABoRERs' WAGES.
Alderman Seery, from the committee appointed
&c the last meeting OF the Board TO inquire into
and protest against the reduction OF city aborers'
wages, submitted lengthy report as TO their &C
tion. This report gives full particulars OF the
committees visit TO the different departments and
the results thereof, which have been already pub
lsned In the HERALD A resolution was appended
20 the report denouncing the action OF the varl-
Gus Commissioners, and calling upon them to
restore the original price OF 50 for each days
work OF eight hours.
The question was then put on the acceptance
OF the report anu passage OF the resolution.
REPUBLICAN MEMBERS IN CONTEMPT.
The roll was called when Aldermen Billings and
Rowland voted in the negative, all the others in
the Affirmative. Alderman Vance refused to vote,
claiming the Board had no right TO Interfere upon
such question. The President declared the re-
port and resolution adopted, stating that Alder
man Vance had declined TO vote. BY the rules OF
the Board no mem Der can be excused from voting
without the consent OF majority OF his colleagues.
Here was dilemma. NOBODY moved 10 excuse
MI Vance. Some ridiculous motions on parlla-
mentary points were maze and the Aldermen
seemed perfectly at sea as TO their duties IN the
premises. Alderman Billings raised the point
that the Chairman having announced The
result OF the vote no action could ne
taken ON Mr.. yance's dereliction. A reconsdera-
ton of the vote by whicn the report was passed
tnen took place. On again calling the roll TO
final passage the seven republicans refused 10
vote. Tne question as TO excusing them was lost.
Their names being again called, they still per-
sisted IN keeping silent.
Here scene OF confusion ensued, during which
the President declared the republicans IN con-
tempt and denied their ngnt 10 vote or take any
part In the proceedings oil the Board.
POLICE JUSTICE DUFFY CONFIRMED.
communication was now read from Mayor
Wlckham nominating Patrick GSvan Du1y for Po-
ice Justice, IN place OF Thomas ID. Sherwood, de-
ceased. Alderman Ly saght moved the contrma-
lion OF MIR Durry. This motion was carried by a
vote OF thirteen democrats the seven republicans
81 ting still under the decision that they were In
contempt and, therefore. not privileged TO exer-
GENERAL FIrz JOHN PORTER ON THE LABOR oUEs-
TIoN.
ftnWa OFatNf I'D 20 fhnG M
mittee OF the Board oil Aldermen by Commissioner
ofPublic works Porter on the subject OF laborers'
wages. In IL the commissioner says that the pur-
pose to reduce the pay OF laborers was conceived
during the administration Of Mr. Van Mort, be-
labor than private individuals. Tne reduction,
General Porter writes would have been made last
winter but Tor the severity or the season, aud but
for the distress 1t would have indicted temporarily
upon some oil the laborers. lie considers That, as
pubic officer, IL is his duty not 10 give gratuties
In the city's money TO any persons, and that by
paying more Tor labor than private employers pay
he would do just thls thing Continuing, General
Porter says:-
And that the red uction tn US made Is improper
real hardship upon the persons Immediately affected
Fvs-That even under the present reduced rates un-
sa SGt e abUre & hS aa
Visions how many hours per day ne sha work me
season, and nearly every day is available Tor work in
per day 81 50 Is paid but to those labor upon tho
public worSs the Ten hours per day witch are exaeted
paid his excess the wages allowed by the
a S ome our Hrs already Showing
the tact by working tile tenhours and 50
ing the extra paw: and
Secoad-lhai, notwithstanding the reduction of which
complaint been made 10 you, the applications
employment upon the pubic works from aDorer and.
indeed all classes persons who have never here
tofore worked day labnrers by thousands
cess Of any ability the CITY mas TO pay them:
Under these circumstances am at loss to perceive
conform TO the request resctnd the regula
tons just published The persons IA whose behalf the
REQUEST i made nave my hearty .ympSsny ~ any ten.
officer clear tnat the Interests
city aud the laborlng themselves taxpayers,
BY adhering the determination ~ paying only
reasonable and current rates Tor both the supplies
the labor employed by this department. When, any
reason cannot pursue tins PLAIN ana honest policy,
the day my usefulness as public officer VIII have
passed.
the lower waras work nearer their homes, aid
80 enable the amount they have
cxpend as reaching the upper end
islam where most OF the work - at present done.
The Board adjourned until Thursday next, and
IN the meantime the seven republican Aldermen
remain In contempt
TT ~