The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-02-21
THE STATE CAPITAL
A Glance at Pending Schemes
Before the Legislature.
INSIDE WORKINGS OF THE COMMITTEES
The Coming Contest on the
Costigan Bill.
In Outbreak Of Activity in the Lobby and
"Advisory" Men.

In Outbreak Of Activity in the Lobby and
advisory" Men.
ALBANY, FEB. 20, 1875.
The interest manifested In the Costigan enact
ment must not take the eyes of our citizens from
other important measures now pending before the
Legislature. A volume OF bills have been intro
duced, many of which, no doubt, will be thrown
out under the operations OF the constitutional
amendments, and others from the mere force OF
public opinion and popular agitation.
THE LOBBY.
Gentlemen OF an advisory" turn of mind-a new
title for the lobby-have had very active pres
ehce in Albany during the past week. Whispers
Of bargain, sale and bribery begin to faint the air.
With bated breath ana careful inLonation these
Hum0rs are carefully circulated These whisper.
ings were first heard during the Senatorial fight,
but now they assume larger proportions.
''black horse cavalry" force Of thirty men,
bers Ia said to be thoroughly organized and
equipped for action, ready to kill or carry any
measure. One OF our New York officials is SAID to
have collected from his sub0rdinates $6,oO0 to
use IN the Judiciary Committee for the iurthering
OF pet bill. This statement have from the best
authority. Many important bills are now before
this committee. l know nearly every man COM
prising it, and can vOuch for their integrity and
ability. Mr.. WaehDer, Of New York, is chairman,
. young man who has exhibited considerable
ability during his legislative experience and who
is not likely forfeit his reputation at the bright
opening OF his political career. The other men,
bers are Messrs. Kennaday, Hammond, Benedict
Dessar, Shiel Prince, Vedder and Strubie. 1t is a
strong and thoroughly intelligent committee, and
the ardu0us duties they have In hand will, no
doubt, be conscentiously performed.
BILLS HANGING FIRE.
There are a number of bills in committee which
ought to be reported and pushed through at once.
They aim at necessary reforms and improvements.
The introduction OF o bill and It's mention in the
Journals Of the day certainly rebound to the
credit OF q member; but the people, after the
present session closes, possibly may want to know
what ultimately became OF the measure. Was 1t
smothered In committee, or did 1t come for thor
ough argument ana light OF day before the whole
memory Ol the pubic occasionally upon those
measures. We have several before the Legisla-
ture now. Among them might be mentioned the
Nj. j. ". smiths Gas bill. providing for the pro-
lection of consumers.
Mr.. Struble's Pro Rata Freight bill
Mr.. Staui's bill repeating the law giving the Sew
son avenue upon which to erect an armory.
Mr.. Costlgans olll to abolish privileges accorded
the Ry RsSs Mr. p
the rate OF TERRACE upon East River ferries.
MI. I. Z. Campbell's bill increasing the head
money on emlgrantS from 81 % to 81 each.
MIR. DAVIS Canal bill guarding against fraud and
robbery in the management OF the canals.
In my opinion all these bills should pass and II
they are defeated 1t would be well for the public TO
study the elements and means resorted to iOr the
purpose Of ensurlng such result
RAPID TRANSIT LEGISLATION
There are only two bills as yet introduced tend
ing to solve the difficult problem OF rapid transit
IN New York CITY, One has been presented by
Senator Moore and the other by Assemblyman
John W. Smith. The points and aims OF both
hoV haQ fr lv oyr1a
the HERALD. Mr.. smiths proposition, to my
mind. is the better Of the TWO, and will merit
THE ELEVATED RAILROAD SCHEME.
The oill sent here BY the owners ,I, and lncorpo:
Company have 0een informed, will be with
drawn for amendment. 1t was referred to the
Railroad Committee, OF winch MI; Mackin Of
In the House by Mr. +. W. seward and IN the Sem
ate by MIR. Madden. Ventilation OF the matter has
probably caused this change or front by the gen.
tiemen behind the bill. II 1t had become law as
introduced this company would have had mo-
nOp0ly OF the principal cr0ss-town streets in New
York city for their railroad tracks. I must do
both the gentlemen who introduced the oil the
simple justice to stale that do not think they
were at all aware OF the great powers which it
conferred II 1t became a law.
BIG SCHEME BY THE INSURANCE INTEREST.
now before them bill which requires very care
full examination: II allows 'ofticers ana commits
blOned agents Of lire insurance companies ncor-
pOrated under the laws OF the State OF New York,
or duly authorized by the Insurance Department,
Stale, organize in any city oil this State Tor the
purposes named In this act, bodies corporate to
then goes on TO say that the purposes of sucn Ia.
corporation shall be TO lnculcate just and eqult-
able principles IN the business of fire insurance.
70 establish and MAINTAIN among their members
uniformity in policies or contracts reinsurance, and
70 acquire, preserve and disseminate valuable in
formation relative to the business in which they
are engaged, and TO establish a system OF patrol
detectives, and maintain apparatus TOR the pro-
lection OF lie and property at nres." TO pay ex-
penses OF this Board the bill specifies that eacn
insurance company shall furnish annually q state
o. IT. Ge 0
The amount OF expense must not exceed more
than two per cent on the aggregate Of premiums.
This latest close corporation insurance scheme
and raid upon policy holders las 1t is they, no
doubt VINO win be compeued to pay these ex-
penses) deserves something more than casual
examination before action Is taken upon 1t by the
committee.
A bill Is here In the Committee OF Commerce and
Navigation by which the Union Ferry Company
seek 70 obtain possession OF piers l. 2 and
East River. The piers are now solely occupied by
canal boats and tugs, and II this enactment passes
It is understood they VIII be compelled to go
Basin. by which great additional expense and in
convenience will be incurred. The bill narrows
the contest down between those interests, with
the chances strongly In favor OF the ferry COM
MR.. DAVIS AND THE "cANAL RING"
The late fight over the Uostigan BILL in which
Mr.. DAVIS OF Washington, took such prominens
part. Will throw some impediments IN this gentle.
mans legislative raid on the canal interest," Mr..
Davis twhO 10 q democracy led the oppo
siti0n TO the bill, and in the nna
struggle carried only Six OF his party with
him. The majority are incensed at his action, and
now threaten 10 defeat all bills In troduced by him.
The gentleman has made study OF those canal
matters. IL Is saia that hundreds OF thousands OF
dollars have oeen stolen from the state by con-
tractors and otnc!as along the line OF the Canals
during the past fifteen years. The machinery Tor
regulating canals Is so complicated under the
present laws that II IS almost impossible to trace
responsibility or the parties VINO have thus be-
srayed the trusts imposed In them. In view OF
these facts, Mr. Davis has drawn up bill which
simpliaes the canal system and under which on
ctal peculaton can easily be detected. The course
OF Mr.. Davis on the Costgan Dill ought TO nave
nothing to do with this matter. No doubt exists
in the minds OF the public that the state has been
robbed in canal management, and II this oil
can root out the evils complained of 1t certainly
ought to pass.