New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1884-03-19
NEW-YORK REFORM BILLS.
PROVIDING FOR BETTER GOVERNMENT.

TWO OF SENATOR GfBBs's MEASURES PASSED BY
SENATE
(FRoM THE REGULAR CORRESPONDENT or TIE TRTBUNEl
ALBANY. March 1S-The bills for the reformation
of the government of New-YOrk are being pushed
swiftly through the Legislature. To-day Mr. Roose'
welt moved in the Assembly that Rule - be sils-
pended. This rule forbade the making of more
than three bills special order at one time The
motion was adopted by vote Of 73 to 2s. Then
Mr.. Roosevelt moved that the nine bills introduced
last Friday by the special committee that has Deen
investigating the New-York departments be made a
special order for March 2s and continue special
order till all have considered. In other words
the Assembly was asked 10 consider the bills re-
forming the Offices of Sheriff. Register County Clerk,
and Surrogate of New-York, day after day till all
were considered. Mr.. R0oscyclt's motion was
adopted by a vote Of 20 to "a.
THE ACTION AND DEBATE IN THE SENATE.
In the Senate even more decided progress
made with the reform bills Senator Gibbs had
three of his bills made special order for considera-
ton. One Of them provides for the election Of a
Controller of New-York next November, another for
the election of a President of the Board OF Aldermen
at the same time and third gives TO the Mayor Of
New-York elected this fall the naming for long
terms of the successors of Controller Grant, Of
Hubert o. Thompson, Commissioner OF Public
Works, and of Mr. Andrews, Counsel to the Corpora
ton OF course if the bill providing for the election
of a Controller becomes law, the provision in the
last named bill regarding Controller Grants sue
cessor will have effect
The bills excited surprisingly little opposition,
most of the New-York Senators favOrng them
Senator Robb, of York, suggested that the
Controllers term be made four years instead Of
three years as provided by the bill Senator Titus
also desired that the Mayor instead Of the Governor
should have the power of removal Neither Of these
suggestions was accepted. Senator Gibbs stated
that the main object of the bill was to prevent tho
Mayor putting creature of his own in the Board OF
Estimate and AppOrtonment. Such authority
gave the Mayor too much power Senator Campbell
earnestly favored the BILL saying that all the cor
ruptOn IN the New-York departments had arisen
from the Legislature taking away the power Of
electing the chiefs of city offices This bill was an
emnently good one in his opinion restoring an
office to the control of the people. The bill was
ordered to a third reading, and then passed by a
unanimous vote.
The bill authorizing the election of a President OF
the Board of Aldermen Of New-York met with no
opposition whatever 1t ordered to third
reading, and then passed by vote of % TO tho
solitary vote against it being given by Senator
Titus, of Buffalo.
The bill giving to the next Mayor Of NewYork
the appointment of the successor, of Commissioning
Thompson, Controller Grant, and Corporation Coun-
sci Andrews, ordered to a third reading, with
only brief consideration; but the Senate adjOurned
before the bill was reached in the order of third
reading. Senator DAILY expressed his opposition TO
the bill; his argument being that il deprived Mayor
Edison of his right to make the appointments.
There little doubt but that the bill will be passed
tomorrow.
INCREASING POLICEMEN's PAY.
Another BILL which cannot be called a reform
measure also passed, in respect to New-iork de-
partments. This was Senator Gibbss bill increasing
the salaries of the patrolmen Of the Police Depart
ment. In future the patrolmen the first year of
their service will receive 200 instead of $500, as
at present. The second year they may be promoted
to a second grade, when they will receive g, 100;
and the third year may be promoted TO the highest
grade. when they will receive 200. The bill also
says that - per cent of the excise moneys shall
hereafter be transferred yearly TO the Police PEN
sion Fund. senator Robb opposed the bill 1t was
not demanded. he said, by the citizens of NewfOrk;
there was no public sentiment back of II. Senator
Gibbs replied that all the Police Commissioners OF
New-YOrk favored the bill, the ground that they
could not get good material for pdtr0lmen al $500
year salary. The bill passed by vote of 20
to - The two votes against ii were given by Sem
ators Robb and DAILY, of NewYork.