The New York herald., 1877-03-02
Consolidation Of New York City Bills
Into One Bill.
MEETING OF THE JOINT COMMITTEE.
A Strong Movement in Favor OF Municipal
Rctrenchment and Reform.
(px TELEGRAPH TO THE HERALD


SIS, 900 to each of the Stale Normal and Training
schools at Albany, Buffalo, Brockport cortland Fre-
donia Geneseo, Oswcgo and Potsdam.
Mr. Ruggles made u speech in favor OF striking out
the appropriation for all except the at Albany,
which would have had the effect Of aboshng them,
and no was replied TO by Mr. Chds, OF Scuben.
He advocated the continuance OF the normal schools
and insisted that they were doing all and moro than
could be expected of them. He SAID they doing
great work. and the people should stand oy them He
spoke the teachers and children of tue state, III
urging Legislature to stand by the pledges made IN
the past and sustain these schools II had been
charged that the democracy wished 10 strike
down the free schools. As democrat he do
sired TO repel that charge. The gentleman (Mr.
Rugales) had said that this party question:;
but he did not desire that opposition to this measure
should be laid the door OF the democratic party He
trusted the appropriation would be continued this
year as In the past
The motion strike out the appropriation was lost
rnE JOINT COMMITTEE ON CITIES.
The interest OF the day centred IN the meeting
Of the Joint Committee Cities, which was ordered
for three O'Clock; but which, by sSne unaccountabe
hitch, was again deferred until the evening, when
short session was held, the members of the Assem-
bly, committee wished TO DO present at the session OF
the House.
Mr. Woodin called the meeting to order, and thcn
IS though the whole thing had been cut and dred
asked ur. Fish about the Salary bill
Mr. Fish-rne Salary bill Is reported. That could
be made special order II both sides OF the House
be favor it, 1t is applicable to all the cities
Of the State. 1t reduces salaries OF $4,000 or above
$4,000 twenty-five per cont; between $4,000 and
So 600 twenty per cent between $4,000 and So 1000,
fifteen per cent and from SO, 600 down to 1900, ten
per cent.
Mr. Woodn-What about those below 81, 500?
Mr. Fsh--rhis bill don't touch below that
Mr. Graham--There is n clause in another bill which
ought to be substituted in bill 1885, where II restricts
the amount of tax raised in New York. 1t gives
power 20 the Board OF Apportonment regulating the
salaries. expenses, &c.
Mr. woodin-You mean by tho word ''expcnses' not
only the salaries officers but for any OF the expenses
that may attend tho administration OF the city gov
crnmcntY
Mr. Graham--To regulate and fix the salaries, the
expen ditures OF every department IN the city of
New York except three thngs:-Frst the interest on
tho debit second. the State third, the Judiciary.
Mr. Woodin-lt has no details, but compcls the
Board OF Apportionment to adjust all the saaries and
expenses. In Committee on Cities We ike 10 do
something every day. and we did something to-day.
Senator Morrsscy and who were deputed the power,
agreed smash the Department OF Docks, which We
proceeded do by merging II into the Department OF
works-tnat is bill proposing to do that thing Ine
details not completed yet but we started The thing
its way 10 find II It would meet with general
acceptaton.
Mr.. Fish--Tbe majority OF your cCmmlttce arc IN
favor of 1t, belleveY
iMr. woodin-Our committee is quite in favor Of
merging DepaI OF Docks INTO the Department
Works, and merging the COMMISSIONERS OF ENcie
in the Department of Police, Building Depart
mcnt and Fire Department in one. II The members OF
the committees IN Iavor OF II, itwoud be well TO
have one bill drawn 10 cover IL all.
MIR. Fish--We have not had any regular vote on H.
but think the committee is in favor OF IT,
Mr.. Morrissey-I offered the joint resolution which
brought this committee together tonight MY pur-
pose to see whether we couldn 90 away with the
Ham in tla V al No tnrK an 10
not 10 merge them into other departments The gen.
tleman before the other day, whom consider
Ieve the people in New York have confidence IN
him. 1 do not see why he should not do INC
work now done by the Dock Commission; the work
done outside Of the park by the Park Commission
He has said before our committee nc could DO ~ ne
has experience in 1t than have, and ain will
ing take his word Tor II. Now. in regard TO the bills
introduced in both houses, particularly In the Lower
House In reference TO salaries and such thugs IN my
judgment there should be acton taken by this commit
tee speedily possible. tor the public is look
for H. therefore Will askegenteman to read this
(llanGs paper to member, who reads ts iollo"s);-
Resolved That a subcommittee of five be appointed
draf the various bills now before the two committees
the the New
York general ol embracing the desirable features of ALL
the avsapy nboshing any the commission in the
city OF New York consodatns them with other
And also the advsably Of reducing any all of
sions the bin which they arc hereby directed to draft
Resolved That the subcommittee be directed report
conclusions the joint committee meeting TO be
held for that purpose on Thursday March 3.
Resolved hat the suocommttee be authorized TO call in
for in preparing such bills such Gentlemen as
affecting the city Of New York.
think that Is the practical way. There bo
bill drawn in regard to all the departments in tho
city OF New York. think you will facilitate
business by IL, and 1t is not much trouble
for i've to meet as for fifteen. Let them
this committee. | offer that resolution to II II Is
acceptable to the committee. wish the cnairmen of
both committees to appoint that subcommittee and
ln ut a ire IN he
oil them.
Mr.. Cowdn-l heartily indcrse that resolution and
Mr.. Woodn-Cant modify that resolution to
Indicate just what departments are to be waived and
into what, so that the committee will know something
OF what they are gong to do, or shall we leave IT
TO the subcommittee. / have a proposition III my
good deal OF experience IN regard to New York city
matters and he thinks 1t sjust the thing 1t struck
as oeng visionary He proposes to put the Departments
OF Works, Parks and Docks together, to be known
tho Department OF Public Works, with three Com
mssioners with classified terms OF two, tour and six
years. That Is idea Then he proposes TO put
together the Department OF Buildings and FIRE Depart
ment. with two Commissioners. Then he proposes to
abolish the present Board OF Excise and impose the
duties of that Board The Board OF Police and Health
Department and the Board OF Charities and Correc-
ton, which would make board OF nine members
believe.
The resolution of Mr.. Morrissey put and carried
Mr. Morrissey-li you think that time Is too short II
can be extended.
Mr. woodn-No IT is not too short; the quicker
the better
Mr Morrlsscy--l move the chairman OF bOth COM
mttccs 60 that committee aud appoint the other
three
Mr. Mitchcll--i second II.
This was unanimously carried
Mr. Mitchell stated he would make a special order
for bill No. los.
Mr. Woodin-1hs action OF tonight looks like
ccasng In effort 10 pass what Is called the Salary
bill.
Mr. Graham-I should Ike you TO do 50 until the
provisions OF that bill are reported II It does not
meet your purposes you can proceed with tho OL
Mr.. Woodn--Is there any objection tho part Of
the members to proceed with the consideration and
passage the bills that have already passed the SEN
ate with reference to the Commission oi Jurors and
the CoronersY
Mr.. Morrisscy--lt can't come under that resolution
Mr.. Woodn. and II Is so with The Registrars and
County Clerk.
Mr. tsrahnm--It Is the same thing
MIR. Fish--rhc Cor0ners' bill was reported tonight
with amendment
Mr. Woodin--What amendment
AIR FIsh--Five thousand was made six thousand
d.,Ilurs The cnmuensll.On OI uhYslclanA--nnd Ihnv