New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-03-28
NEWS FROM ALBANY.
DEMOCRATIC LEGISLATORS IN CAUCUS.
DISCUSSING PRISON LABOR, ADJOURNMENT AND
CONGRESSIONAL APPoRTIoNMENT

| DISCUSSING PRISON LABOR, ADJOURNMENT AND
| CONGRESSIONAL APPoRTIoNMENT.
lBr TELEGRAPH TO THE rRIBUNEI
| ALBANY. March 27.-There Is dissension
| among the Democratic members of the Legs
lature regarding the contract labor system In the
| prisons. That system has made the prisons self
sustaining, and the country Democrats who represent
| ta1paying farmers shrink from disturbing it.
They declare that they have already they
dare in the direction Of crppng the prison system by
passing the law forbddng the manufacture OF hats by
theconvcts The effect OF that law will be to deprive the
State OF 900 income yearly from the prisons They
are unwilling to cut Off from the State all
OF the income from the prisons Last year this income
amounted 10 100000; but the New-York City Demo-
Gratis insist that this should be done.
To-day they called OF the ssembly
men for the purpose of coercng the country Democrats
into action with them against the prisons.
Michael O. Murphy, their leader, asserted
In this caucus that the plank of the Syracuse
platform OF the Democratic party in regard to the
tract labor system pledged members Of the Leg
hlature to support the bills against the system.
This denied by Mr.. Keyes. the chairman OF the
State Prison Committee Finally Mr. Keyes instruct
ell by the caucus to draw bills in accordance with the
Syracuse platform. Mr. Keyes will have TO make his own
Interpretation OF what the platform the sub
ject.
In the Senate also the New-York City members en-
decided stand against the contract labor system.
Senator Grady introduced two bills in relation to
the prisons and asked that without consideration IN
compitee, they should DO ordered to a third
reading One OF these bills authorizes the
payment TO the families of convicts Of
money they make by extra work, and the other
requires the payment to them OF a larger
sum than they now receive on leaving prison.
Soma Mccarthy declared that these bills part OF
the sentimental feeling for cOnvcts which seemed preva-
lent In The community In his opinion the continuation
secure their good behavior senator Grady's motion
then defeated by vote Of Ii TO l6 The temper Of
the DcmOcra ic senate, 1t Ia evident Is against any
turtle meddling with the prisons.
At the Assembly caucus Speaker Chaplin urged n
speedy adjournment of the Legislature, and criticised
the action of the Democratic members con
In the session. A committee appointed to suggest
methods Of facilitating the business OF me Assembly.
and expressed preference for adOurning the Legsa
ture during the last week In April.
Tie senators then turned their attention 10 drawing
a Con ressiOnal AppOruOument bill which will receive
thrroint support Nelson Waterbury has bcen
the Republic the dstict they possess IN New
YORK II Is probable that Mr.. Waterburys suggestion
viii be adopted
BILLS TO BIZ MADE PARTY MEASURES.
ALBANY, March 27.-At the caucus OF Democratic
Senators tonight It was decided to make the
following measures party questions: Great
ing the Office OF Emigration Commissioner
and abolishing the present board; providing
for the election OF police justices in Brooklyn, and the
bill creating board Of Capitol Commissioners.
consisting Of the Governor, Lieutenant Governor
and the Speaker Of the Assembly. II WAS
aSo decided 10 support the bill prohibiting the
leyying of political assessments, with some
The Quarantine question wes dis |
cussed, aId committee was appointed TO prepare
blu making the Quarantine Commission slnge-headed
the incumbent 10 receive salary o. $1,000 year, with
$4,000 year for the Health Officer. Fees be |
reduced 80 that the Commission will be only selfsus-
tanning