New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1878-03-26
ALBANY.


OF AsYLUMs FOR THE INsANE-A DIRECT TAX
ON LIQUoRs-OPINION or THE ATToRSEY-0EN
ERAL AGAINST THE POWER OF THE BOARD Oh
ESTIMATE AND ApPoRTIoNMENT TO LEVY AMI
COLLECT TAXES.
tBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRBUNEl
ALBANY, March 25.-The maintenance OF the
State prisons by the labor Of convics would soon be In
terfered WITH persons assuming to be the representa-
tiyes Of the workngmen could have their way. 1t Is
argued by these that convcts have competed in the
manufacture of most of the articles made in the
prisons with tho workngmen employed In these trades
Recently inquiries have been publicly made in the Legs
ature, whether not the superintendent Of Prisons had
right to make contracts for letting out tho labor of
convcts. The complaints about tho new Industries In
the prisons have not alone from the worktngmen
Of the manufacturers Of hats in New-York and
Brooklyn, last week. presented petition to tho Assem-
bly,, through Mr. Bergen, asking that Mr. Pilsbury be
rot permitted to enter into contract for the making OF
hats, which they had heard lie about to sign be-
half Of the cOnvcts. Moreover the Workingmens party
Of Albany have Just nominated supervisors pledged to
put end to Mr.. Psburys employment of the convics
In the Penitenary long under his charge here This
institution pays thecty annually Tho question
OF convict labor came up in the Legislature tonight,
while bill authorizing Mr.. Psbury to build railIoad
from Lake Champlan to Dannemora Prison was under
discussion in the Assembly. Mr. Purdy said that while
In favor OF the bill, he strongly opposed
to convict labor being put in competition with the skilled
labor OF workingmen. The galleries Of the Assembly
Chamber filed with workingmen, who londIy ap-
plauded this remark observation-disclosures Alvord,
who In the chair said THAI he would order the gal
leres cleared If the applause was repeated. He then
surrendered THO chair, and descended upon the floor
to take part in the debate.
Mr. Bergen, following Mr.. Puriy, said that he fully
agreed with what tho latter had said the impolcy
OF permitting convict labor to compete with that Of
workingmen. These cautious utterances compared
with what DIR. Beard, the WorkiDgmen's member from
Elmra spoke. lie said fatty that it would be better to
have the convics idle rather than have them competing
with the workingmen Of the State. blr. Aly0rd
Indignantly replied that Mr. Beard had put for
ward a most nbuInan proposition. 1t would be
the height OF cruelty to compel the convicts to
De idle. Solitary confinement labor
most of the convicts idiots Mr. Burns complained that
he had not been able 10 gettnformaton about tho char
fore. vote for the bin. Nothing more was said concern.
iIg convict labor after this remark. IL was finally de-
termned 10 consider the bill again
The chief object OF the proposed railroad TO enable
Mr P,6ary to get hgher price per convict Tor ther
OF manufactured articles away from the prison
DR.. Isaac l. Hayes presented amenorial from com
mce OF the Hedeo Legal Society OF New York, asking
the LEGISLATURE TO institute an inquiry into tho condition
and mana cement Of the lunac asylums OF the state.
The members OF the committee declare that they have
great to believe that the unfortunate inmates OF
the asylums are treated In manner which Is
dsgraceful TO civilization, cruel and barbarous,
and not In accordance with the present adj
ynnced state OF medical sceuce. Along with the
P" gG Of cSttes OF five to investEac the con-
dion of tho insane asylums OF the state and report
Hayes said he induced TO offer this resolution by
the leading physicians Of New-York, for the reason
had had been made through the newspapers These
physicians ask for the investigation for the purpose OF
getting the truth Of the matter. lie ir Hayes had
no feeding the matter but he had offered his resolution
because the request emanated from distinguished men,
who would ike the public informed In the matter Inc
resolution tabled under the rules
Mr. Brooks offered the following:
SPIRIT Traders Society Of the City OF NewYork that
sixty millions OF dollars arc expended each year In the
barfooms OF the city OF Newiork III some 5000 inns,
tayerus aud saloons; and,
whereas, 4 direct tax upon this enormous consump-
ton OF spiruOus and malt liquors would result In
adding several hundred Thousand dollars II not some
millions Of dollars, to tho city treasury; and,
Whereas, Ii Is just and equitable that the consumption
OF alcoholic and other liquors should contribute largely
directly to the support of the government be 1t,
Rrsolred That the Committee Cities he requested to
examine and report upon the expedlency OF substituting
law OF Virginia" for tho NcvYork law OF 1857 and all
other laws regulating the sale OK liquors. said Modett
cohoo drink and Il cent upon each glass
OF ale beer porter with specific license TO sell the
both for each violation Of the law whether on the part
OF officials negecng their duty or on tho part OF per
sons licensed TO register their sales Inc chef 90,
ects OF this inquiry being 10 reduce both tho taxes and
debt OF tho city OF NewYork. ami at the same time to
promote the cause OF temperance.
Laid on the table under The rule.
Mr. williams called up his resolution calling or Con.
gress TO pass law against allowing transportation COM
panies adopt rules aud regulations resulting ID unust
determinations In the rates OF freight, aud It was
adopted. A., ,., .
Tie Attorney GENERAL in answer to the resolution OF
the House 10 tho ccnstntonaity OF tho law creating
the oard OF Estimate and App0rti9nment and It's right
10 levy taxes submitted long reply, concluding as lol-
lows:
In conclusion, respectfully report that under nc
ceped principles Of governments and Judicial nterpre-
tss OF legislative powers under constitutional pro
Visions OF opinion that the Board OF Estimate ana
Apporonmont Of New York City does not possess tho
pover 10 levy and collect taxes, nor other legislative
bowers; that the powers conferred upon that poard
arc restrictions upon the legislative body OF tho
city and uot In coBcs with the Constitution OF this
state but wthin the purviov OF that Instrument Inc
pOpr,ety of the creation OF city board with sucn
owers WIS not referred 10 by your resolution and no
opinion requested that point That II purely ques
ton of discretion for tho wisdom or the Legislature but
his report is intended 10 express any approval VI
the system
III ~ ID 4 TLrRE