New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1884-04-02
REFORM BILLS DEBATED.
HOW THE COUNTY CLERK SHOULD BE PAID.

"JIMMY" OLIVER LONESOME MINoRITY-LITTLE
OBJECTION TO THE MEASURES.
IraoN TfIg REGULAR CORRESPONDENT OF THE TRIBUNE.
ALBANY, April This was an All Fools Day to
those friends of the Sheriff. County Clerk and
Register OF Ncw-York who thought that the As
sembly would not look favorably upon the reform
bills introduced by the Roosevelt Committee.
Rarely have measures been treated with more
friendly consideration. Much Of this change in the
attitude OF the Assembly toward the bills IS due TO
Mr.. Rice and William +. Smith, the leaders of the
Democratic Assemblymen. They say they have not
been actually hostile TO the measures but merely
DESTROYS of offering certain amendments to them. AS
soon AZ Nr. Roosevelt had assured them that they
should have the opportunity of Offering and debat
ing these amendments they determined to offer no
farther faetlous opposition to the consideration of
the bills
Before the Assembly met this morning an in
formal caucus was held by the Democrats. at when
was resolved to give aid to Mr.. Roosevelt in push
ing the bills. An attempt was also made 10 per-
suade Mr. oliver of New-York who had announced
hat he intended to oppose the bills bitterly not to
Iulfl his determination. Mr.. Oliver could not be
persuaded to change his purpose, however and as
soon as the Assembly went into Committee OF the
Whole on the bills in relation 10 the County Clerk
ne began delivering speech against those meas
ares. He scornfully skctched the various reform
movements in New-York. arguing that all refoTmers
were merely men seeking Office He said that the
County Clerk ought to receive large compensation.
md not be put upon the small salary of Slo0
Ia view of his large responsibilities. After Mr.
divers denunciation of the bill had continued for
two hours Mr.. Rice interrupting him, said thar IN
behalf of the Democratic minority he would warn
ktn that the minority were not supporting him in
his attack on the bill and If he should continue it
they would vote to order the bill TO third reading
without further debate. Dir. Oliver seemed stunned
by this announcement from his party leader. for he
stood silent for few seconds, and then abruptly
took his seat.
COUNTY CLERKS THROUGH THE STATE.
Then followed rational debate on the bill over
an amendment offered by w. Z. Smith providing
that of County Clerk if the State should receive
fees. and tina. the various Boards OF Supervisors
should name the salaries of THESE officers. Ar. Day
ton, of Ncw-York, said that Mr.. Roosevelt in pro-
posing by his bill to deprive the County Clerk of
his fees and put him q salary, was going back to
a system which had been discarded thirty years be-
fore He thought that reforms ought TO be made m
the County Clerks Office, but. not such radical
one. Still he should support the bill. MT. HubDeii
of Monroe County, earnestly supported the bill.
Stated tnat the fees of the Comfy Clerk OF Monroe
County amounted to $4,000 yearly; and then
moved that the bond of the County Clerk OF New
York be increased TO 800. 900. Mr. Rice SAID Mr..
Hubbelfs statement concerning the fees received by
the County Clerk of Monroe Comfy showed that the
Comfy CLERKS all over the STATE ought "a Dt hC-
pryed of their fees well the County Clerk.
Of New-YOrk
Mir Clinton of Erie County. stated that the
Comfy Clerk of that county received $4,000
yearly Mr. Rice complained that the evidence
taken BY the Roosevelt Committee concerning the
County Clerk of New-YoFk. had net yet all been
rrnted. Mr.. Roosevelt replied that it would have
teen printed if the Governor and Attorney General
had not desired TO inspect 1t before II went To- the
printer Mr. HageeTty. of New-lork. another Dem
1crat said that he in tayor OF Mr.. Smiths
amendment. Mr., Roosevelt with the consent OF
the Democrats then moved that the bill should BE-
ordered TO a third reading Inc motion was
adopted by a unanimous vote. ". T. Smith next
moved that the bin should be reCommlttcd to the
Investigating Committee with instructions TO add
his amendment providing that all the County Clerks
In the State should receive salaries. vote by
syes and NAYS was taken on the amendment. Nearly
all the Democrats voted for 10. aud few Republ-
cans Most of the Republicans and MessTS. Nelson
and Welcb Democrats of the Roosevelt Conn lttee.
voted against it, 1t was defeated by vote OF 10
TO 63.
The hill putting the Register, on p salary of
$4,000 and dcpTiving him of his fees, was con-
sdered for a few moments aud WAS ordered 10 a
third reading by unanimous vote
The Assembly will continue its consideration OF
the reform bills tomorrow.