New-York tribune., 1880-01-07
PROCEEDINGS In THE SENATE.
OPENING ADDRESS BY THE LIEUTENANT-GovERN

| OPENING ADDRESS BY THE IIEUTENANT-GOvERNOR
| ATTACK ON RAPID TRANsIT-THE LEGAL RATE
OF INTEREsT-PLOTAGE LAWS.
| IFRoM TIE REGULAR CORRESPONDENT OF THE TRIBUNE.
| ALBANY. Jan. 6.-The new Senate came together
to-day, and old members looked up at presid-
ing officer, in the person of Lieutenant-Gov-
crnor Hoskins. Mr. lIoskins is tall man, but
! lie cannot expect to strike into all beholders
during his rule, lacking William Dorsheimers giant
| frame and impressive manner. Mr. Hoskins promi-
ses to atone for any deficiencies in this respect,
! however, by his excellence a parliamentarian.
! His experience as Speaker of the Assembly was
shown to-day in many good rulings and in his
skilful management Of the business of the Senate.
! The new Senate is composed of such large pro-
| portion of men who have had experience at Albany
before that the judgment that pronounces the body
superior to the one preceding it must be regarded
| having good grounds for forming such an opinion
The cities of New-York and Brooklyn have a larger
representation than they ever had leforc and the
increase seems to have brought to the front men of
better quality. George III. Forster succeeds T. &. e.
Ecclesine and William Waldorf AstOr the sprightly
! Alfred Wagstaff-both these are improvements. The
| Republicans of Brooklyn have at last secured repre-
sentation in the Senate in the person of Frederick A.
| Schroeder, ex-MayOr Of the city. Mr.. Schroeder
promises to take prominent position IN the
Senate as he has long occupied in Brooklyn. 1t was
fortunate lOr tle senate tnat Nllilam lie
consented to be returned to it and again take his
place at the head of that cOmmittee-the Judiciary
which has shaped legislation for the past ten
years.
Senator WOOdn was the leader of the Senate
when a member of it for several years 1t is doubt
fu whether his influence will be great over the
present as past Senates. He has Just been
OverthrOwn in his first attempt to assume leader
SHIP by supporting Mr.. Glidden for clerk. More
! over the present Senate is composed of q very
large proportion of independent strong-wlled men.
! They have Just shown their mettle by defeating
Mr. Glidden who was largely supported by the
! "machine" element in The Republican party They
will be likely to prove very ntractable spirits, If
any Senator shall attempt to crack the whip of
leadership over their heads The untred members
Senators Brdsal Fowler, Winslow, Stevens, Mills,
and Williams-seem q valuable addition to the
ranks of legislators.
Lieutenant-Governor HOskins upon taking the
chair made the following address:
THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNORS ADDRESS.
sENAToRs-The Constitution Of this state makes the
IN etSS uo o a,d N n or
| of the great importance OF faithful and Intelligent
discharge OF its many and delicate obligations Rules
are made chiefly TO facilitate the public business and
guard rights Of the minority the majority protects
itself by It's inherent power IL shall be my pur-
onment with frmness, imparliaty and sacred regard
rights
the chair with some experience In similar duties and
with purpose TO discharge every obligation
faithfully and consceptiousy, shall yet rely Tor sue
upon your aid aud support and shall hope
foT such cooperation aud such Intercourse In all rea-
and ads yantaRe0us to the people.
duties as the Representatives OF this great State, the
foremost In the Union IN population wealth ana com
cated power and the party to which has ocen
fded complete control or the executive, admnistr
tive and legislative departments OF the state Govern
will Justly be hd 10 strict accountability for the
manner in which II iulas tho the exalted exalted trust The
body, aud you will permit me TO suggest and urge
pressing gucstiobs which demand your attention. BY
this timely disposition you will avert the hasty IN
considerate and injurious results which too often mark
the posponcmen OF legislation to the closing hours OF
Iycnure only one further suggestion: You Iegislae
not tor hour. day, but TO stamp your impress
upon the future You can do much to make or mar the
| greatest OF American commonwealth, ana viii bear
part In moulding the destiny OF the whole country:
fruits or If uusound will carry through coming
years the tan OF the seeds SOW aud this reflection
constantly cherished Will deepen your sense OF respon
Invoking the Guidance and protection o. the Supreme
Ruler OF all, recognizing that from his hands flows
every good and blessing have but 70 add that
Senate is organized and ready TO proceed to
business.
Tho Senate then elected the officers chosen at the
Republican caucus last evening
BILLS RELATING TO NEw-YoRK CITY.
Senator Forster, whom the time came for presenting
bills. astonishcd and grieyed his fellow associates
from New-York by introducing seven bills in rela-
ton to that city. The OF perhaps greatest in
terest was for tho repeal of the Rapid Transit act
passed In S75, which enabled the owners OF the
present elevated roads to build then The passage of
the repeal act would prevent the building of any
more rapid transit roads in the State. Mr.. Forster
said that he thought the rapid transit act
very defective and oppressive one, and accordingly
presented bill for It's repeal His special criticism
WAS that it gave any fifty househoders the
ripht DetiTiOn for the appointment of
commission to select rapid transit routes and thus,
perhaps. 30 damage the property of thousands of
Others He criticised the appointment OF two rapid
transit commissions to Law ont rapid transit routes
IN Westchester County and said that third com
mission might perhaps be appointed. When told
that such repeating act might prevent rapid tram
si; in Brooklyn, he SAID thar he would consent to
any reasonable modification of his bill.
A second bill he presented is probably an attempt
to break the force OF the law reducing the Iegal rate
of interest IN this State from To per cent which
went into effect January l. The tide OF the bill is
a" An acc to authorize corp )ratons 10 CONTRACT 10
pay any conventional rate OF interest ana to prohl
bit corporations from interposiug the defence OF
usury III any action. AZ tno Dill ID SnorU ohe IL
J is siven below in full:
Sec 2-The corporation, used In this act shall
be construed to include az associations shu
companies having any or tho powers ana privileges OF
corporations not possessed by individuals or partner
Sec 3--This act shall take eff let Immediately.
SECTION Interpretations OF this other Of Sates.or OF
cations this State, aud may make obligations out OF
this payable in this sta;- any stipulated rate OF
|
action on obligations the defence or usury or OF
illegal rate of interest have any right or acion 10
recover tue ground Of interest having been
paid III excess OF the rate Of per cent per annnm
lie also luced bill relative TO pilots ana otage
which provides Board OF Commissioners or Pllos
10 composed OF Ave persons three to be elected by
The Chamber OF Commerce OF Nev-iorh, ana two To DO
elected by the Board OF Underwriters, each Insurance.
| company 10 bs entitled 10 one vote at suoh
election This board shall have power 10 license
pilots. the piotage fees 10 be as follows;
| For every merchant vessel inward bound, wing
less than IA feet Of water 81 a per fooI for every
drawing IA feet und less than Is feet S3 "a per
foot vessels drawing Is feet ond under Il ieet'
! | % ID ner fnnt for yesseR drawing II feet and