The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-01-24
SUPERINTENDENT LAMBS POSITION
ASSemblymen Anxious to Reduce Sala-
rieS in New York.
INSURANCE DIFFICULTIES
Biennial Sessions and Extension of Service
for Legislators Proposed.
ALBANY. Jan. %. 1879.

The senate held a two hours session. which
devoted strictly to BUSINESS remarkable thing at
such early period of the session. when everybody
is generally anxious to get off buncombe for the salts
faction of his constituency. Senator Wagstaf's bill
allowing the Comptroller issue duplicates of the
bonds stolen from the Manhattan Savings Bank
passed. also that granting additional
powers to the Water Commissioners in respect
10 the purchase of lands about lakes Kirke and
Mahopac Perhaps the most important bills intro
duced were the two of Senator Murphy-one abolish
ing the Dock Department and transferring its powers
and its unexpended moneys to the Commissioner of
Public Works. and the other providing that when the
terms of Marine Court judges expire at the close of
this year Others shall be elected The report OF
the New Capitol Commissioners, given below. was
read. 1t recites great many things already
known to the public besides things they
don't care to know at all. The most striking pas
sage in the report is which states that
by expenditure of S4,200,000 the edfce can be
completed and furnished in two years. Senator
Harris asked for temporary appropriation of
100000 carry the work until spring when
regular appropriation would be in order. The matter
referred to the Finance Committee Then Mr..
Harris got upon his feet and dated upon the propri
ETY. of holding of formal and official cele-
bration of the occupation of the building. His
remarks We're almost repetition of those he made
under similar circumstances week ago. No action
was taken.
RECEIVERS BROKEN
Banking institutions came in for a good deal of at
tention. In reply to the resolution introduced by
Senator Jacobs the other day. calling for information
tbout insolvent banks, superintendent Lamb sent
communication to the Senate to-day He sets forth
that he is unable to furnish the information desired.
the receivers of many institutions declined
furnish the facts called for and the receivers of
atba he IN IND af Mr. amI
calls attention to the need Of legislation to compel
receivers of broken banks to send statistics to the
superintendent of the Banking Department well
rs to the courts by which they are appointed. He
calls attention to his report of last year. wherein
this difficulty is set forth. and declares that he
has information respecting the banks
In question than he had ia 1877. Sena-
tor Jacobs expressed the opinion that those
receivers who refused to give information
might be the ones who had something to conceal,
and lac introduced resolution calling upon Superin-
tendent Lamb to furnish their names well the
of those he could not find. 1t adopted
simultaneously What steps will be taken when the
names of the receivers obtained is not definitely
known but il is settled that they shall furnish full
and ample statements of the affairs of the institutions
which they closing up. To the writer, who
called upon him this evening, Superintendent Lamb
stated that he did not mean in his reply to the Senate
to be understood saying that receivers had written
TO him refusing to give information. What he meant
was that they did not reply to his communication.
He feels quite certain that at least five Of those from
whom he received reply got his letters of inquiry
lie will be able to furnish more information to the
Senate than is contained in his report of last year and
which published fully in the HERALD at the time.
Senator wenlover also had fling at the banks. On
his motion much of the Governors Message
fers to such institutions was referred to the Com
mittee Banking. lie also had resolution adopted
authorizing and directing that committee to inquire
into the administration of the Bank Department and
note the utility of supervision of moneyed corpora
tions by the State-whether such supervision should
be maintained. and whether further legislation is
quired to make it more effective and salutary The
committee has power To send for persons and papers
POLICE SALARIES.
The police the object of senator Ecclesine's
solicitude. He had resolution adopted directing
the Commissioners to report to the Senate within
ten days what steps, il any have been taken the
reduction of the pay or policemen, and under what
authority they 1.-THE Commissoners) acting in the
matter. bill of Senator Marvns provides that
where the verdict of jury is sought to be set aside
on the ground of misconduct corruption bribery
the part of juror the affidavit OF any member Of
the jury in reference to the matter may DO read
evidence. According to a measure proposed by
Senator Pierce. OF Brooklyn, when the Office of Sur
rogate in any county becomes vacant the officer
il disabled in any way from acting, the duties must
be discharged by special surrogate IL there is one,
and not by the County Judge if he be precuded.
by the District Attorney.
ASSEMBLY
Tue official salary question in New York city
again prominent feature of to-day's proceedings
in the Assembly. Three resolutions are now before
The Legislature on the subject. Members OF the
lower House are making effort to place themselves
ION record III the matter OF "retrcnchment and
FORM" Mt least far the metropolis Is
cerned Mr.. Erastus Brooks commenced the attack
few days since by presenting resolutions relative to
the enormous salaries paid in the Court of General
Sessions. Then followed DIR. Hayes sweeping reso-
luton OF yesterday. which embraced all courts and
departments of the city government. To-day Mr..
the New York Judiciary alone. DIR. Hayes now sug
shall include all branches, of the city government la
the matter of reductions. Mr.. Varnum's propo-
si,ion is TO place the responsibility for the
retrenchmcnt legislation in the hands OF
the Committee on Ways aud Means, Of which Mr..
Sloan is chairman. The three propositions all
up for debate to-day The attention OF the Assembly
was occupied over these matters for over hour on
Tuesday. No new ideas were put forth; NO tangible
conclusion arrived at. Messrs. Srahan, Brooks and
Hayes were the principal speakers. 1t generally
coded that DR. Hayes resolution upon this important
subject is the hest aud should receive the sanction of
the House 1t is further agreed that great neccs-
sity exists for the speedy passage o. some wholesome
laws which will cut down and equaze the large
salaries paid to of officials in New York city.
WHAT vAnSUM AND srilaHAs PROPOSE.
Mr. Varnuin's resolution follows:-
Board Of Es,imate aud GpporoneSs Of the city Of New
YORK that the expenses OF maintaining the Judiciary Of
Jurors, or tic 1870 will reach the enormous sum
..is Nh ,s 'SS sssn q ~: sa:s
s,sstiy reduced wiiirat in any degree par1g the ei
cieucy Of the administration Of justice,
Resolved That u be refcfrrd the Affairs
OF Cities to hoaf determine and IN the of
cconuny and REFORM the proper remedies reduce
,snses other abuse. IL growing tof
the administration OF justice III the city of New York
Mr.. Strahaus notice OF his intention to introduces
bill relative 10 salaries was precisely this :rhat lac
will ut early day introduce bill 20 enable and
compel tho authorities OF the city of New YORK 10
practice greater economy ia the matter OF expcndi
lures for salaries in all departments, boards. courts
and commissions ia said city OF moneys raised
be r.isod by taxation in said city. After another
hours debate the three resolutions laid over
for the present, motion Of Mr.. Hustled, who
ierrcd sarasticaily 70 the inpracticabc movements
already inau guratcd.
ADoIIsnisU IlIR INSURANCE DEPARTMENT..
Mr.. skinner introduced his bill, framed in accord
ance with Tie suggestions of Governor Robinson in
his Message. providing for the abolition OF the III
surace department aud the transfer OF its powers