The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-04-11
THE STATE CAPITAL.
Why Ecclesine's Rapid Transit Bill
Was Defeated.
CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS.
Could Cities Be Governed on
Business Principles?
NO BOARD OF FINANCE.
Lively Debate in the Senate
Spring Elections.
ALBANY, April 10, 1877,


There two lobbyists here who, whilo they profess
having had no part in bringing about tho defeat OF
Ecccsines rapid transit BILL feel satisfied there
money used to that end. Barbour, tho head OF the
craft, was suspciousy active last week; yet they say
the lobby alone would have been unsuccessful without
the efficient aid given by one or two members on tho
1oor Tho story OF tho whole transaction muet
transpire ono Of these days Some mon invariably
get cheated in matters OF this kind and they find It
impossible 10 restrain themselves from talking about
II when II happens that any considerable OF money
was set afoat and they failed to get slice after doing
their share Of the iniquity. There IL honor
in being on the Railroad Committee than on that OF
Public Health; yet every year what desperate
struggle the s'commercia' ones among the members
mako to get themselves placed upon It. And whore Is
there solitary instance OF tho Railroad Committee
evcr reporting bill to disturb tho interests Of any
well TO do railroad corporation and perform public
benefit?
"GREBS," CoURsx
Then again II Is too much ask us to believe that
tho country members who voted almost en- massc arc
all 80 densoy ignorant as not to know that rapid
transit is tho crying need Of New York city. If they
read the papers-and It is safe they do-that
fact must have been drilled into their minds after the
long agitation OF tho subject during tho past ten
years Though the bill introduced by Mr. Ecclesine
last evening takes away the grounds or OBJ
lection from those who voted against his former
bill It would be over.sangulno to conclude that rapid
transit is all SAFE The agents Of the street
panies Will be on hand promptly Ono OF them.
namod Jim Richmond, arrived to-day Ho Is Mr.
Jacob Sharps man. and no steals steals out Of
here as II he wished 10 escape observation On the
2Sth of this month the argument rapid transit be-
fore the Court OF Appeals comes off, and the order or
the Supreme Court, General Term, DO sustained tho
car companies will regret they spent SO much money
DEBATE ON ruE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS.
The Senate spent all the day in discussing the
uutional amendments based the report of the Mu-
nicpal Charter Commission in relation the govern
meut Of cities. Tho first provides that 1.-The Legsa
boards shall be SO regulated 10 give minorities
proportonate share of represented therein"
Tho principle OF minority representation, Mr..
Woodin said already operation in certain public
boards throughout tho State but doubt had boon
Expressed as TO Its constuonaity, and the purpose
OF the amendment was 10 remove any doubt on that
head.
Mr.. Kennaday thought tho resolution ought 20 be
considered In the Committee OF the Whole first. he
was opposed TO giving II only hasty consideration.
II was Mr.. Woodin's opinion Il could be considered
just as deliberately The Senate in Committee Of
the Whole, and it was considered and adopted.
Tho principal! amendment as Il gave rise to most OF
Ss elected BY O no raS
ble SO TO speak. II tho raLbe elect Mr. Woodn sub
s.ansially held, nothing would come Of :. but tho
people were long since tired and dsgustec. In New
York city, for instance. tho Board OF Finance would
was accustomed TO pass upon tina estimates. Mr..
Gerard had idea that tho cost OF having sos OF
benefits to be derived from the proposed plan Mr.
jacobs ever truo TO party. insisted that IL would be
right suffrage directly to tho spirit
OF FREQ institutions.
THAT VOTING CLAUSE
Mr.. Morrissey said he In favor of every other
part OF che Dtl, but he would be compelled vote
against the whole thing II this discriminating provs-
ION in regard 10 voting was lett IN He should feel
ASHAMED go back to his constituents and any
OF them say that "Morrisscy don't want vote
because he hain't got no money"
motion OF Jacobs to postpone lost and the dis
AN rxwARRASrKD RESTRICTION
1t was Mr.. Woodin's Wow that tho claim OF restric
ton without warrant because there Is Finance
Board now, and the members OF the Legislature in
creating 1t can make whatever provisions they choose
The right OF suffrage was not natural right 1t
conferred according to the pleasure OF the
Mr. Jacobs surprised that those who favored the
amendment tho national constitution looking to tho
bestowal OF the unrestricted right OF suffrage upon the
negro now found iavoring resolution putting
restriction upon the white mans vote.
WHO PAYS THE TAxEsy
Mr.. Starbuck contcndcd. IN his emphatic way, that
The laboring man IN me end paid The taxes, yet tho
proposition exclude him from voting favor of
men who happened to DO little better or than him
Sell.
Mr. Mccarthy wished to hava the amendment sub
miltcd to the people. and let them decide upon It,
Mr.. Gerard thought the same II they thought It
wise to restrict suffrage who could fairly complaint
mr.. Cole favored the proposition because thought
Senators would have time enough 10 determine their
vote the article.
Mr.. Prince was OF similar way OF thinking and no
formerly showed there radical defect the gov
eminent Of tho cities Of tho state.
Mr.. Emerson made u motion, which lost, to
amend so AZ 10 exclude rent payers from the list OF
those who may vote for members OF the Board OF
Finance.
A LOST CLAUSE.
Another motion made by Mr.. Jacobs to amend SO az
to allow electors who pay not less than $3.50 per annum
lodging tor the Board Of Finance was also
lost. Then Mr. Starbuck followed with q brace and
al n v Ipcal
work. the cost OF which is to be wholly paid otherwise
than by the city ut large must DO authorized by
OF twothtrds OF all tho members elected the Board
OF Aldermen, with the consent Of majority ia nun.
Der and interest The next provided that tho section
reading 'Cty elections shall be held separately from
tie state and national elections and la March Aprn
should not apply TO cities having less than 00 0CU
habitants The third provided that the Board Of
Finance should have other powers except such as
nlcrred In tho article All thrco amendments,
aitcr stirring debate were lost
Mr. Prince made motion, which also lost, to
commit tho article TO the Committee on Cities with
uructons separate tho provision providing tor tho
election OF tho Board OF Finance from tho rest OF tho
article
Mr.. Kennaday moved, and 1t was carried, that the
members tho Board oil Finance possess tho
qualifications as those prescribed Tor electors oil the
Board.
THE VOTE ON THE RESOLUTIONS.
a vote then taken all OF tho resolutions,
ccpt the sections providing Tor spring election anu
the section OF board OF finance the sections relative
10 minority representation and TO the duties and
OF board OF Supervisors over board OF Alder.
men, except where making contracts or creating
allowing, or auditing county charges Is involved,
were adopted, and subsequently, the provision
for spring elections, but to the amazemont OF every
body watching tho debate the section providing for tho
election OF Board OF Finance was lost, all mo demo-
Gratis and Baadcn, republican, voting tho negative.
Tue debate was animated throughout and unusually
prolonged.
A RECONSIDERATION EXPECTED
Tomorrow q reconsideration OF the vote by which
this particular feature Of the resolutions
wus lost VIII be moved and carried The mishap
that bccl II to-day was owing 10 the absence OF
several republican SENATOR'S The democrats to man,
put themselves record as being opposed TO any
attempt TO restrict discriminate IN tho exercise OF
the right oil suffrage. They shrcwdly enough managed
TO have the section concerning the Board Of Finance
separated from the rest and they thus nabed
place themselves IN favorable light before the people
voting In av0r OF all The other reform points 10 the
resolutions, while carrying out tho wishes OF their
stiiucns by voting against tho clause winch
unpopular ard uu-Ancrican.
Tho senate held no session tonight owing TO the atc
hour al which tho morning debate was brought TO u
clUsc.
THE COMMITTEE CITIES
Iho GnIala liaoa a liatx aada