New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-02-08
ALBANY.
WORK OF THE LEGISLATURE.

PRESIDENTIAL ELECIOkS-A LIFE iNo'iN"%'SH
CoMMIssIoN-Two CHARTER INSTRUMENTATION
AS CAPTAIN OF THE PORT OF NETWORK.
IFRoM THE REGULAR CORRESPONDENT OF THE TRIDUNE'I
Albany, Feb. TN the Assembly to-day
the important bill defining powers and salary OF the
superintendent Of Public Works was debated at great
length Several important amendments were proposed
but none seriously manning the bill were approved MT
Baker Chairman OF the Canal Committee, who had the
bill in charge ably defended II and succeeded In warning
of injurious amendments In introducing he sau tha'
the object of the bin to concentrate responsibility
where some responsible person was greatly needed Az
present II there was any msmanagement OF the caDs
the responsibility divided that the people oio MOI
know whom 10 blame. He did not agree WIN some VI
the amendments that had been made by the Canai Con
mittec aud moved that wherever the word Controher
WAS used the word Auditor" be substituted Inc
Auditor was the financial head Of the Canal Departments
There had been hill introduced TO transfer his depart
ment 70 the Cont oller and abolish the office The Dill
might however fail TO the approval OF the Legs
lature and the Governor II IL did, and the Dill was
passed IN the shape that 1t emerged from the conte
there would be two financial departments 10 heou'e
with the affairs of the canals instead o. one rs al present
Mr. Ayord argued that the bill should be passed with
ont the amendment suggested by Mr. Baker since le4o
the people had been endeavorng to collect the power
scattered by the Constitution adopted in that year Inc
Controller his opinion the proper person 10 nave
control OF the finances of the Canal Department There
were now four persons who had charge Of the finances
of the state where there properly should be only one
Mr. srahan said that he entirely concnrred win MI
Avord that the office OF Auditor should be abolished
hnt that hill had not yet been approved He thought
Mr. Bakers amendment a good one, and hoped
that II would be approved Mr.. Avord again argued
sgains; the adoption OF Mr.. Bakers amendment, and
said that the Auditor at first was nothing nut an over
grown clerk OF the Controllers, but had gradually
grasped power that he ought to be compelled to sur
Al. s,1E ,,tpfnr vaG any
but concentration Of power divide the financial duties
Of a department Mr. Alvord then offered as amend
ment TO Mr. Bakers amendment, that the Auditors war
rants be cOuntersigned by the Controller MT BAKER
accepted the amendment, and 1t was approved oy the
Assembly. Mr.. Bakers own amendment was then ap
proved by the Assembly. Subsequently Mr. Alvord pre-
scented an amendment giving the appointment OF pay
masters to the Commissioners Of the Canal Fund instead
of to the Auditor Mr. Baker strongly opposed the adop
non OF the amendment and was rejected by vote OF
so TO "a
An attack upon the bill then came from another
quarter. Mr.. Hepburn presented an amendment re-
ducng the salary of the superintendent from S73Oo 10
5000 Mr.. Avord said that it was very responsible
Office il required great executive talent and ne hOped
Mr. Hepburp's amendment would not be adopted. He
had read In THE TRIBUNE a few days before very good
remark 10 the effect that inferior talent should not be
employed In such place Mr.. Hepburn said that II was
an old argument that to obtain efficient men they would
have TO pay large salaries The same argument was
used when the salary the Legislature raised Is
the present Legislature any higher in standard that
those other men received So day" he
said "The higher pay has only cmbtered elections
never yet increased efficiency TO- higher salaries
There thousands of competent to do the Work
for 600" Mr. Alyord replied that 1t was fallac'ous
argument BY raising the salaries OF members OF the
Legislature millions had been saved There Is better
air here did believe in low salaries where it is
very responsible office Mr.. Hepburn's amendment was
rejected by a vote Of 43 to 81. Another amendment
offered by Mr. Avord giving the assistant superintend
ent the power as the superintendent, was suose
quently lost
Mr. HAYES then offered the following amendment
pndeT the PROVISIONS Of this bill shah use power position
or s IS e good and Sufficient
nova ami in any superior officer having anthQry Sa
therefor the question OF violation be tried and deter
iRs S county S afy Wherein o. s%cS Violations
The written charge made under oath by two substantial free
hold Of the and y case Inc sd uses s s
charges against TIE latter TO the who upon the
receipt Of such certificate shall remove such ncpa!co ocer
employe.
Mr. Purdy thought tins amendment would have very
bad effect on this bill. This Official IL he in any manner
gave oense any two men, would. be subject to COM
plant on their part and he would be called into court
constantly The most OF his time would be occupied in
that way instead of attending 10 the canals. Mr. Grady
Dem) vehemently opposed the adoption Of the resolu
ton He declared that long as the PostOfice, the
Cusomhouse, and the Assembly itself were governed by
party he would not be i'll favor Of dcprving the Super
intendent OF Public Works OF the liberty OF being paI
San and serving his party After further debate the bill
was laid on the table.
The method Of choosing Presidential electors has re-
ceiyed severe criticism since the last election and var
ous plans have suggested for better obtaining the
The popular verdict. Among the Republican members
Of t6s Legislature from the country Gste's senator
nf haN
gressiOnal districts is strongly favored. lhei peeve
majority ia New York City viii be neutralzed, aud the
Republicans viii have chance OF carrying the staie;
lnasnuch the States have right 10 decide tne etou
Of choosng their electors MI Hepburn Of St Lawrence
County drew up and presented me following blil: .
An amend section Article H. Title Chaper Part
Of Revised statutes in relation TO the election o. Pres
York represented in senate and Assembly DO enact as fol
Statutes is hereby amended 80 read as follows:
& A. me- ss , the una states for The choice
aud Vice President Of the United state. Their shan
cePcsden known as electors alage and each
ecST i se2a s S asa be elected one PrFsena cleo
I3r il each Of the GongttsoaS s s s am in s a
diton 10 voting said elecorsatarge have the right 70
t 9 T Where The ele5tor OHe
having The highest number o. vIsG 10 g and the pTsons
having The highest nume,r o. votes ~ eaS o. te
electors.
Mr. Hustled presented the following important bill IN
relation TO life insurance companies:
SECTION The Governor. by and with the advice aud con
authorized TO appoint hVe PERSONS tiet
Of nom learned the law COMMISSIONER VINO
shall inquire the practical workings and encct OF an
statutes 81 the in force relating to the
organization conduct supervision, and liquidation OF me IN
and whether any changes, ana any WIat
legislation necessary ana proper 10 De
the protection OF the pubic, ana TOT le security III"
piOper conduct Of the business
S 2 TIE commissioners shall cause copy OF Their report
in mini 10 be submitted the legislature at the opening Ci
regular session in the year 1879 and shan hcue ID sc
Ieport draft oil the simplest form posi-
r al The existing law this state upon the
snlect life insurance, and accompanied ny Such anhd
mris or changes In their provisions az The Commissioners
necessary ana 10 be made with thei reasons M
such recOniue ndaOns
So The commissioners shan each receive in fun com
pepsaOn the rate Of $1,000 year Tor TIE