The New York herald., 1876-03-01
The New York Salary Bill Amend
ments Adopted.
A SWEEPING INFRINGEMENT.
The Excise Commissioners Seeking a Longer
Term Of Office.
The Pauper ahd Convict
Labor Bill.
ALBANY, Feb. %, ls7e

The New York Salary bill was again bono OF conten-
tion in the House to-day, and the debate that took
place the general reduction OF the officials was quite
n lively Il will be remembered that Mr.. Graf on
the evening previous had succeeded in having
adopted in Committee OF the Whole q most
sweeping amendment which reduced the salaries
OF the city officials far below the figures to
which they reduced by the Subcommittee
Cities which reported the bill; but, somehow
many motions and counter motions were made dur
ing the evening that not even the Chairman OF the
committee appeared be able tell just what change
had been made in the so the Grst work that
had be done this morning when 1t was again moved
ascertain the position OF the bil and what had
become of the amendments that had been thrown
about so loosely the previous evening. When 1t
became apparent that there was again to be
another muddle the Speaker, who was on
tho floor OF tho House, explained that the
Gran amendment was an amendment to an amend
ment and that the committee had adopted 1t without
having taken any vote on the amendment as amended
This explanation created quite laugh at the expense
OF those members who all along under tho i'm
preston that the Graf amendment had boen
ADOPTED IN PATH,
and unless It voted TO reconsider the vote by
which 1t generally supposed IL had been adopted,
remained part OF the bill Under the circumstance
mcnt had to be considered again. de-
termned effort was made by Mr.. Strahan TO
have the salary OF tho Corporation Counsel fixed at
So 900 instead OF S. ooo Forster took issue with
him on the subject and the two had quite little de-
bate all to themselves it Mr. Hustled sided with
Srahan and explained how it had fallen to his lot to
take charge OF the New York charter ofls73 He said
that he given to understand then, by the republ
cans that II sure rs the water that ran down
the mountain side and radiant as GEM" while the
democrats had told him that the day would
when he would be only glad to amend the bill But
he had laughed all this talk OF the democrats
then never dreaming that that wonderful charter
would become an eyesore to any good citizen in the
State 1t all very tine to talk about the hard times
and the necessity that existed for decreasing sal
aries of public officials but there were just as hard
Comptroller and the Corporation Counsel ought
10 get at least $4,000 a year The
Graf amendment, however was carried by the decided
vote OF hfty-seven to twenty-onc Mr.. Fallon tried
hard TO have the salaries OF the Aldermen liked at
00 claiming that when they were elected the people
entered into aoontrac with them to speak, the
dton being that they should perform certain services
for tho period of for which they were to receive
81 900 each; but It was all in vain Then Mr.. Belts
offered amendment that tho $4,000 clause should
not 20 into effect until after the expiration
of the terms Of office Of the present incumbenis
two amendments offered last night that the Mayor and
the Comptroller after the expiration of the term of the
present Mayor and Comptroller should receive no
salary.
REDUCING TIE NUMBER OF COMMISSIONERS.
After all the salaries had heen fixed according to Mr..
CRAFTS standard, MT. Watts moved that when the
mittee should rise II recommend the passage of the
bill This motion was adopted. and tomorrow t will
probably DO passed. What fate IL will meet with at the
hands OF the Senate remains TO be As the bill
stands provides that after tho expiration Of the terms
of Office of the present Commissioners OF the Fire.
Tax Health, Charities and Correction and Dock de-
partments Of these departments shall consist OF
but one Commissioner the President OF each OF these
depai tments who shall be in Office at the time TO
main in Office until his successor shall be appointed
The salary change made by the bill can be at
glance by the following table:-
.caIdru