New-York tribune., 1876-01-20
ALBANY.
LEGISLATION AFFECTING NEw-YoRK.

JEGlSLAIlON AFFECllNU NEN-iorlh'
A RUSH OF 1T YEsTERDAY-BIrLs IN REGARD TO
EXPENDITURES, STREET IMPROVEMENTS, PARADE
GROUND, AND CLERKS FEES.
frRoM THE REGULAR CORRESPONDENT OF THE TRibUNE'l
ALBANY, JAN 19.-When Mayor Wickham, in the
letter received by tho Assembly Committee on Cities
this morning expressed his I" qualification" at the
evident Willingness Of the Legislature to Icgislate
respecting New-YOIk matters he was dangerously
near the brink of sarcasm. OF all the bills intro
duced in both Houses to-day large proportion, and
much the largest in importance, affected New-iorK
departments and courts. And what is true OF to-day
is almost "a true of every day. One OF the most
important of them was that presented by Mr.. FISH
of Putnam, which is designed to compel the depart
ments of the City Government to cOnfne their eX-
pendtures within the appropriations. This was one
of the bills introduced by Senator Booth last year.
1t provides that no indebtedness for any purpose
whatever shall be hereafter incurred by any depart
ment, Office or branch of the local government of
the City of NewYork, or officer thereof, or by any
Judge or judges or clerk clerks in any court ex-
cecding the amount of the annual approprl-
ations made therefor severaly, to be raised
by taxation; nor shall the City of New-fork
be held liable for any Indebtedness so in
Cured, and no Judgment shall be obtained
therefor against said city, but this section shall not
prevent the application of the proceeds of any bonds
authorized or to be authorized to such purpose as
Is now authorized by law" Section provides that
"the expenses incurred by the departments, offices,
and all branches Of the government Of the City OF
NewYcrk, and the salaries Of every officer thereof,
shall be paid only ont of the annual appropriations
made therefor severally to be raised by taxation,
except that the services Of persons employed upon
the public works of construction, payment for which
is provided for by the proceeds of stocks or bonds,
as authorized oy special laws" Section 3
provides that 1.-THE payment of bonds Obc issued for
the payment of expenditures made by the Depart
ncnt of Docks shall he limited to 81 ,OOOOOO year.
But il shall be lawful for the sail Dock Commission
ers TO expend in any year such sum IN addition
thereto, not exceeding Sl0o0,0O0 as the Board OF
Estimate and Apportionment shall by majority
vote appropriate and such additional sum shall be
included in the annual tax levy and collected from
the estates real and personal of the City and County
of New-York, subject to taxation"
Senator Booth offered two bills one repeating the
Street improvement act of 1869, and the Military
Parade act of 1871. The first of these acts per-
mttcd ia, Comm ,soncrs of Estimate and Opening,
in the matter of the opening of streets or public
places to divide the cost Of the opening equally be-
tween the city and the propertyowners. Ii forbade
also an ass, ,ssnent property below one-iourih or
exceeding onehalf Of the market rates. Under this
act about So 800 600 are being annually spent IN up
town improvements, street Improvement bonds
being issucG 10 meet the assessments. These
improvements would necessarily come to m END
if Mr. Booths LII became a law. The Military
Parade act which the second bill would repeal, dl-
rcct,d the condemnation OF land tor parade ground
in the upper part of the city, aud authorized the
issue of stock in payment. The completion OF the
proceedings has been delayed, partly 10y Mayor
Wickham's opposition and Senator Booths bill Will
return TO the owners the land which has been
already condemned and surveyed. IL is understood
that the hill is assured an easy passage through poth
Houses and the signature of the Governor.
Senator Morrisscy introduced bill eeislating ont
of Office all the clerks, officers and attaches OF the
Marine Court on the lst Of March, 1876 and pro-
vidlng that hereafter they shall be appointed in the
same u!nncr as tie clerks Of the Supreme Court Of
tho Civ Of New-Nork. This bill will throw
tho appointment of the numerous employees of
the Court into the hands of County Clerk Walsh.
Senator Bixby introduced bill providing that " no
clerk. deputy clerk or assistant clerk Of any court
of record within the State or of any SuTogates
Court shall hereafter receive any fees or allowances
for any service referee. receiver, or commissioner,
under any or,cr or judg nent of the Court