The New York herald., 1878-03-30
Another Debate on the Moi
fett Bill Punch.
EXCITED SCENE.
Another Rapid Transit Scheme Be.
fore the Assembly.
CHI u RICH TAXATION
Who Shall Be Doctors ?-An In
teresting Inquiry.


ALBANY, March %. 1878.
"Physcian, heal thyself," Is admonition quite
ut to DO applied 10 Legislative body in the predica-
ment OF the New York Assembly to-day. This As
sembiy Is generally supposed 10 u remarkably
honorable There been ascribed to H. indeed,
Kind of high ana impenetrabe virtue in contrast to
the degraded tone of OF its predecessors late
years Yet the members, whose character social posi-
on and abilities might be likened TO against
misrepresentation, vince under newspaper crisi-
cism, and have twice led the Assembly to take n
specous revenge upon reporters who offended them.
Two or three weeks ago the reporter Of a New York
newspaper was excluded from the floor, In the midst
Of an angry excitement caused by tho allegations Of
TWO or three members, and without anor ding the VIC
tim any opportunity to explain defend himself. TO
thls petty Outrage added an attempt by
Mr. FISH, Chairman OF the Committee Cities,
70 procure the exclusion from the Chamber of
the reporter OF another New York Journal VINO sal d
something about Mr.. Fish winch that ge nteman
alleges 10 be iase. II not very likely that the
Senate will lend its prerogativo as requested but
whether does or not spectators OF egislatton will
hardly be impressed by personal honor and Of
parliamentary dignity which seek vindicate them-
selves by such pallry and tyrannical proceedings
The Incidents OF to-day's session show that
members have no better opinion their
the Chamber than have the correspondents whose
duty It is TO watch their actions, who help
discerning their faults
THE MoFFErr PUNCH AGAIN.
When Mr.. Brooks resolution to request the Com
mittee on Cities to examine and report upon the
pediency OF substituting in New York city what is
known 'tho MoIctt law OF virginia'' for the New
York law OF 1857 and all other laws regulating
the sale OF liquors came up for to-
day, Its author rose and said that inasmuch
n xvns Gin
hoped 1t might be adopted without hindrance
IN order that the committee might after thorough
Investigation, bring In bill upon which full and
hghtened discussion could he had. Explaining to
some extent the operation OF tho Monctt law IN vr-
gna and anticipating Its probable effect OF adding to
tho revenue OF New York city, Mr.. Brooks observed
that he had doubt that his friend from Frank
lin mr. Gberp would hnd something to commend In
measure which, besides modifying weight Of tax
aton in tho metropolis would also tend TO
reduce the sale OF liquor and the volume
OF drunkenness - But this suggestion TAR
IRON being adopted by Mr. Gilbert, was resented MS
a snare. He declined to follow Mr.. Brooks into his
mathematical calculations or to accept his 1attering
promises IL might be true that Now York city would
derive pecun'ary benefit by ga cont for
every glass OF liquor sold over bars But appalled,
by the consequences In tho homes, the the
characters OF those who drank the liquor sold
under the tax, he would have mono OF IT.
nor OF any other substitute for the law of
1857. AS for tho Committee on Cities, to
whom It proposed to refer pending resolution
he accused that committee Of bong In favor of tho
rum traffic. Of therefore, being under the dominion
oil tho rumsellers. OF Mr. Brooks himself he said in
effect that the liquor dealers having secured him as
champion OF their interests he was worth moro TO
them than hundred thousand dollars man OF
his high personal character could do IN tho
defence tra1i than m
whole regiment OF rei noses.
HEATED DISCUSSION.
Mr.. Grady, following Mr.. Gilbert, opposed the
adoption OF the resolution, but on different grounds
lie did not believe Ia imposing excessive tax upon
mems beverages any more than he did in taxing them
excessively for what they wear. In the course
Of heated assault upon the ''impracticablcs' OF the
Chamber he misquotcd Mr.. Gilbert, who rose Ia ex-
citement, denounced the Misrepresentation, and
called Tor the reading OF what he did say by
writing out his notes the Assembly resembi ed
an arena In whicn crowds were backing two cham.
pons. Mr. Grady and Mr. Gilbert both pale with ire.
retained their feet until tho clerk read the expires.
sions previously used ny the latter when took h IS
seat aud Mr.. Grady went Only "A minute longer
and Mr. Grady launched himself into a hornets nest
by describing the rural members who have suct esq
iuy Impeded he adoption oi New York Excise bill
MS a 'backwoods jury" AZ this Mr. S<iansr Ieaped
up anu Informed the Chair that Mr. Grady "iIln't
know what no was talking about" Being called
to order, the two gentlemen stood glaring
at each other Tor few seconds then
bowed and made mutual apoogies and soon after
ward Mr. Grady sat down. Then Mr. Skinner got up his
lace naminR white aud red by turns, and pitch IN
bravey to the support OF the shack woods at
is pam" said he, 'from the frolhtng mere that they
have stirred up something, that they have exposed
the desig OF the wnissey dealers who have sent
their agents up sct this Legislature to lot loose
the 1ooogates Of whskey upon ths CIV OF New Yorx
In face OF the protests Of good Christian and
women, who vainiy begged tncr own natives
TO vote to stem tho. tide"
The last scene OF the conflict which thus sprang up
over Mr. Brooks resolution was tho most Interesting
Mr. Brooks. whose agitation during the progress OF
Mr. Gilbert's address aiuding TO hm personally had
been marked. now took the floor ana expressed his
regret that measure 50 simple and iDonenslve tho
resolution OF inquiry he had proposed should have
stirred up ntemperate feebng. As Tor Mr.. Gilbert,
MI Brooks SAID thar, without knowing 1t. that gon-
teman Was often intensely pcrsoai often sivo IN
debate, and, # II were parliamentary TO do
so, he would even say uDgcntlemanly likewise. He
denied at length The right ot the gentleman from
Franklin or any other member TO him beng
me champion OF tno rum or any other interest, ana
resented as an alront aud iinpcrtinencc the at
tempt TO distinguish between him the Oh ,irman
oi the Committee on Cities (whom ME Gilbert mas ex-
ceptcd from ms genera, charge against the committce
AS an agent OF the liquor dealers. I.ikcniDg Mr.
Gnberps intolerance to tho drunkenness OF those
mentioned IN Holy Writ, VINO 'may be drunk
but not with wine with strong drink he rccon-
mended him 10 use that cnarIy without whicb, SAID
he, all his uttcrances hore but ng brass
and linking cymbals." In TACT Mr.. Brooks hauled
Mr.. Gilbert severely over the Goals the RESPONSE
which consisted mostly oil sermon wus OF nearly
so pointed as The lecture.
THIS was the way In which tho Assembly used up
an hour aud a haf OF time to-day ooloro adopting
Nr. Brooks Resolution
HgLL CATS rrLors
Mr. Hamilton has introduced bill to allow He'll
Gate pilots VINO tender their services any saitng
vessels or steamer under register or to any vessel
trading between New ork ana foregn port, whether
inward or outward bounb, TO collect pilotagc whether
tbcy are accepted or refused; but tue OH provides
that no pIotage shail charged to vessels sailing
under coastiDg license unless plot Is acLua, en-
pioyod.
Mr. Cosad's bill 10 tnx tho stock OF insurance COM
panics--a Dil similar tnat has bee before the
Legislature ior the last three yearswas adversely re-
ported to-day from the Assembly Insurance Commit
tee. hr. Hepburn, chairman OF tue committee, ex-
planned that the bill would virtually exempt gock
ol lie ana marine iDsurance companies and put
the burden ON the IRE insurance companies,
winch are IN no condition bear II, aud
which, as Dr. Hayes shid, are in danger OF being
driv from the state II appears that eighty
Two IRE ihsutan companies only eight increased
thelr surplus In 1871 The aggregate increase was
$25y, 600. Tue decrease OF surplus among The re-
manning scventv iuur compauioa Al 7y1 ool