The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1876-04-21
MR.. Belts DODGEs.
AN AQUARIUM FOR CENTRAL PARK


ALBANY, April 20, 1870
The result Of the vote the Brooklyn charter
yesterday which bill failed pass OF the
detection OF I'VE Of tho republicans who sided with the
democrats, has been the chief topic of discussion
among the members here to-day. The rumors that
were SO rife and which camc In such definite shape last
evening from moro than ono source gave rise -
considerable speculation whom tho House met this
morning to what the 1--WE republicans whose strange
action had created all the talk would do In the carly
part OF the session Hoffman, Bolts and Gallagher were
on the floor OF the House, but they did not rise to
ask for Investigation into the charges that
had been alleged against them. Guge was not in
his usual place. but Watts and the latter after tho
House had been session about two hours, to q
question Of privilege Mr. Fish desired to have tho
resolution offered by Watts amended that the nvcs-
tgation should include the four other members referred
to In the article Mr. Watts complained or but the
latter preferred 70 be investigated his own merits
A. Watts statement and resolution drew out few re-
marks from Mr.. Fish and others, append tho state
mcnts just as they were made Mr. Watts said -
mr.. Speaker, see by this mornings papers an
accusation against me In respect to receiving n
bribs In relation to the Brooklyn Charter bill
yesterday Idenounce II as falsc in evory particular,
and d0no to injure me. And further would like an
investigating committee appointed by this House 70
Investigate my career in this Assembly. have tried
10 stand we'll and do my duty as well rs could do H.
defy anything in that particular far my charnc-
Yer e concerned, socially or POLITICALLY y
Mons House invsstisas
ser.sd IN the privileged statement made BY Mr. Watts,
6spers and 20 report their conclusions to this House
Mr. Fish said Whereas the allegations which have
been made In the various papers have not only been
made against Mr. Watts but also against several
bers Of this House, move that these charges also be
included in this resolution that is 70 say Il those gen.
tlemen desire IN investigation.
Mr. Watts said AS far as I am concerned, had
rather have this allegation investigated BY ITSELF As far
the other gentlemen concerned that Is their
business For'mysof am anxious to save my own
character.
only supposed that these gentlemen who have these
serious charges made against them, and which have in
tho opinion OF many some solid foundation, would do
sire investigation. think that for themselves they
should demand It However, II thcy do not demand IL
do mot mean to press IT.
desire to state to this House that last evening no
ceived telegram that his moher.inlaw was dead and
That his wife was on her way TO East Boston where her
mother then lying He went TO meet his wife this
morning 10 go to Hast Boston 4ss
Mr. FIsH-Seeng that some OF these gentlemen
Ia the Chamber or have been IN the Chamber since the
motion made by my friend Mr Watts, shall with
fraw my amendment and leave II for she reflection Of
hits House what they guilty Of fVs
COVERING ALL THE GROUND.
Some time after this little talk, plain and unmis
hkablc in It's character, Mr. Fish offered tho following
Resolved That tie Committee Privileges and Election
this Housc be instructed 20 inyestgats the matters
Watts New York. and TO inquire especially
s % @ used e the de-
Der ohis House Or ether person has been guilty Of conduct
sSs House and to report thsr concnsions Thereon" and
that said committee have send for aud pa
Il may be stated that 80 far Ms Mr. FaIlons excuse
for Mr.. Belts is concerned. Mr. Belts only len his
seat In the House a half an hour before Mr. Fallon
q seer
at dinner at the Delevan after the House
adjourned he evidently had had time before
II he explain TO the investigating committee 10
satisfaction how he u vote against the bill he had
Corrupt means were being used 10
US defeat" and that he himself chad
now he opinion Of most or his cpoS
hcan colleagues impossibility As for Messrs
Bugcl Hoffman and Gallagher they will DO afforded by
lhc committee every opportunity 20 clear themselves
from the suspicion that now, justly unjusly, At
tachcs TO their names
wars rLIxsr EXPLANATION
The committee ut their meeting to-day received an
Informal verbal statement from Mr.rWatta Among
other things he stated that he not in the House
when the motion 10 reconsider the vote by which the
Brooklyn charter bad .beon lost was called up; that
10 was in the lobby when the roll was FIRST
him that therc was cal. Of tho House, and that
being 80 informed he hurried over to the Assembly
Chamosr Now, M watts may have been IN Congress
gross misstatcment when he said that he in
HE Assembly Chamber when the motion was called
House win testify that he was hold.
Ing conversation with M. Watts when the
waits attention to the bill the vote on which il was
proposed 10 reconsider II Is quite possible, therefore,
that Mr. Watts did so out into the lobby and Con.
table and pending the vote by yeas ana nays on
Tho question OF reconsideration, aud IL Is equally
the cSamOcr not whs re-
rote being taken u he had not been Informed that
Call Of the House had been ordered when he did take
bis scat and the third call Tor absentocs Mr. CALVIN
asked the Clerk how Mr. Watts recorded. Mr.
Watts replied the Clerk, sis recorded in the afrma-
said, II thought you voted with u.s." Mr.
Watts immediately arose and said. "Mr
os and he n ss . ss
did not know what he was voting on when ho voted
he did The committee have issued subpnnas for
number OF Witnesses and will begin tho inquiry
thorizcd by Mr.. Fishs resolution Tuesday. Some
queer developments are expected.
AN AorARIun FOR CENTRAL PARK
A communication received BY the President Of
tho Senate from Colonel Stcbbins President Of tho
Park Commission, stating that the matter OF adding
aquarium the building already erected for the pur
poses OF Of natural history that portion OF
The Central Park known as Manhattan Square had
been discussed meeting OF tho Park Commissioners
and was resolved that the design OF the buildings
for the OF natural history TO extend them
occasion required, and an aquarium is part Of the
purposes OF the museum, that tho application OF the
trustees Of the TO the Legislature be approved
Tho bill In relation to the aquarium unsupported To-
eretionary with the of Parks to proceed
with the work Of erecting the building IN question
REFoRxAroRy.
Nearly two hours time was consumed by the senate
In the discussion Of the bill constituting LOUIS D Pis
bury, Sinclair Touscy, William 9: Way. RUFUS H. KING
and Ariel o. Thurston board Of managers 70 conduct
tho State Prison at Elmira reiormaory for male
criminals between the ages Of sixteen and twenty
years Il was ordered to . third reading
LEGISLATIVE MOTIFS
Tho bill already passed the Assembly for making the
ID and 9th Of July legal holidays along with The Atm
was 'avoraby reported to the senate
similar bill 90 that OF Mr. Killans. providing for
the election Of Aldermen In New York city by Assem-
bly, districts and making the term OF Office two years,
was introduced in tho senate by Mr. Gerard
Mr. Robertson introduced bill authorizing tho
Supervisors and Justices Of the Peace OF the town Of
Grccnburg, IN Wcsichesser county 10 form themselves
into . Police Board, with power 10 create police
force and determine the rate Of compensation.
The bill authorizing the use OF steam on Atlantic
wcnuc, Brooklyn, was ordered 10 third reading IN
he Senate.