The New York herald., 1879-02-25
THE STATE CAPITAL.
Important Queries for Senators and
Assemblymen.
CORPORATION RULE.
Bills that Are Put Forward for Ques-
tionable Purposes.
WHAT WILL BE DONE? ?
WHAT WILL BE DONE (?
A List of Measures for the Peo-
pie to Watch.
ALBANY. Feb. "a. 1879

ALBANY, Feb. "a. 1879.
With the washingtons Birthday recess Of the Leg
islature an opportunity arises for speculation and
criticism of the legislative outlook for the re-
mainder of the session. The conundrum that
seems uppermost in the minds of everybody
here is Win the Legislature of 1879 do any,
thing at all? is the gathering meant to afford
amusement and the usual amount Of political wire
pulling, lobbying, &c. with attendant "beneits.' -
OF course it is easily understood that the forms of
law must be complied with in the assembling Of the
Legislature once year. Appropriation and supply
bills to carry the machinery of State government
must be passed, but the important query here pro-
trudes itsef-for what other purposes do this august
body come together on the first Tuesday after the
first Monday Of each year? Good Laws have undoubt-
edly been passed in former years. while many evils
are allowed to prosper and flourish in State govern
ment which might have been easily rem
edied if legislators acted alone from stand
points of honest conviction. 1t is not by any
means difficult problem to solve as to what
should be done the time in the passage of
laws tending to alleviate the suerings of taxpayers
and to lift the corporation yokes from of the shou
ders Of the community at large. At the commence
ment of the session gave list of the bills which
ought pass without obstruction from any quarter
Nothinghas been done since of tangible nature to
forward such necessary reforms. Will anything
really be done The question is asked here day
after day and night after night.
MONUMENTAL FOLLY
The answer is as much befogged as when Speaker
Alvords Jerusalem gavel first raped this ''iIn-
maculate'' Assembly to order in the gorgeous
chamber of the new Capitol. which recently
resounded with laundering congratulatory ex-
preston of Commissioner and Lieutenant
n0roh and mite hiefn
ical "reminiscences from Mr.. Erastus Brooks.
Speaker Alvord too, regaled the large audience sit
ting in the capacious armchairs. manufactured ex-
pressly for Legislative halls with ancient
tives Of great and good men that had come
on the political stage and disappeared with
the shadows of mortality. Not Of the three
speakers. however, alluded to the ten millions spent
on this immense mausoleum of folly-ten times too
large for its intended uses and probably destined to
be as much of Q landmark for the finger Of public
scorn the Court House in New York city, al
ready growing diapidated before completion local
poet has written . very amusing satire upon the
whole celebration of that eventfui evening. Among
the lines, in narrative form. the following
There was Governor Robinson looking job stone
Barrin his goggles wouldn't let him come;
And S% sna ss Sass hsr s
But his friends WAS sayin as they made their way In
Till Senator Harris went. with small embarrassment,
And show'd twas aisy maxim the costs mminse!
This stuff may probably give some idea of what
the taxpayers in this vicinity think about their
derful Capitol and its projectors.
GOOD MEASURES BEYoRR THE LEGrsIATuRx.
perfect avalanche of bills has been hurled into
both houses. Many Of them introduced un-
doubtedly for striking purposes others were
brought here by conscientious legislators with the
intention OF pushing them through il possible while
others again are placed the files with the object
after at later period OF the session. Nearly two
months have elapsed now since the opening OF this
Legislature. 1t might be well to give hasty glance
few OF the principal bills of interest to New York
citizens which bear their face the impress Of
l. Reducing the fares on Union ferries to Brook
lyn.-Introduced by Mr.. Sheridan.
q Reforming Corporation Attorney Boyds Office
introduced by Mr. Secbacher.
B. Compelling one horse railroad car companies in
New York city 70 employ conductors as well as
drvers.-Introduced by Mr. Madigan.
4. Preventing the overcrowding of horse railroad
in New York city.-Introduced by Mr.. Grady.
s. Providing for the appointment of two judges to
hold special sessions in New York.-Introduced by
Senator Hogan in the senate and Assembly man Var
NUN in the House.
commissioners. who shall have entire charge and
Jurisdiction all railroads in the State-Intro-
duced by Senator Loomis.
Z. Abolshing the Dock Department and transferring
its power to the Department of Public Works.-In-
troduced by senator Murphy.
fcrring its powers and duties to the Comptrollers
offce-Introduced by Mr. skinner.
o. Providing for the construction of bridge over
the Hudson River between Fsnkill Landing aud Cold
6pring.-Introduced by Mr.. Brooks.
~. Preventing clerks of courts of record from
charging fees in the filing of notes of issue.
IL. Concurrent resolutions providing for amend
ment to the constitution by which to have
biennial instead of annual sessions of the Legisa
ture.-Introduced by Mr. Skinner.
~. Breaking up the referee ring in New York by
Pleas and Marine Courts power to appcns twenty rs
class, reputable lawyers as standing rcferces.Intro
duced by Mr.. Langbein.
49, Placing legal interest for all loans at six per
cent, and specifying proper safeguards to pro-
vent usury.-htroduccd by Senator Edick.
IA. Relative to Improvements of Harlem River and
spuyten Duyvil Creek which bill provides for giving
consent of the State to improvements in this vicinity
by the United States government. by which the lat
work-Introduced by Mr.. Hustled
15. Making it misdemcanor TO charge illegal
wharfage.--Introduced by Mr.. Youngs.
16. Giving mechanics liens a preference in all
ases.--Introduccd by Mr.. Smonson.
II. Reducing the salaries 90 OF the Aldermen in New
terms from one to two ycars.-lntroduced by Mr.
Dean.
1s Giving the Board Of Supervisors in BROOKLYN
power cut down all official salaries in that city
per cent after the LIST of January
Mr.. Stevenson.
10. Making it unlawful for railroad companies in
this State to confne any animals in their cars for
longer period than twenty consecutive hours. with
out unloading the for rest, water and feeding
for period Of At least seven consecutive hours,
less prevented by storm or sccdent--lntroduccd by
MIR. calvin
30. Reducing the salary of Commissioner Of Jurors
In New York from $4,000 to 5000 per annum.--
introduced by MIR. Hayes
Il. Providing severe penalties for dumping refuse
matter in the North and East rivers and Bay Intro
duced by Mr.. Hayes.
~. Taking away the duties of street cleaning from
the Police Commissioners in New York and handing
the work over 70 the Department of Public Works.
Introduced by Mr.. Langbein.
23. Mr.. Hepburn's Apportionmcnt bill giving New
York twcnty-hv members of Assembly and Brooklyn
thirteen. Passed the lower House.
"a Providing for equaities in rates of transporta-
tion storage and handling of property carried wholly
or partly by railroad la the cstato.Inroduced by Mr.
Baker.
25. Providing q reformatory for women at cost
20. Cutting down the number and salaries of en-
ployes in Senate and Assembly introduced by Mr..
Skinner.
az. Aboishing the fee system for Rceistcr County
Clerk and sheriff Of New York, and paying the first
two $4,000 per year and the last
by Mr.. varnum.
% Providing for the consolidation of Brooklyn
with tho towns OF New Lofts, Flatbush New Utrecht
and Istr<